Savings

Pay Yourself First — But How Much?

Everyone says to pay yourself first.Almost nobody tells you the right amount for your life.

Savings · Worthune

"Pay Yourself
First."

Sound advice. But how much, exactly?

Everyone says to pay yourself first.
Almost nobody tells you the right amount for your life.

15%the minimum savings rate for long-term financial security — most people save less than half that

The Situation

The Rate That
Changes Everything

Your savings rate — not your income, not your investments — is the single most controllable lever in your financial life. A 5% difference in savings rate can shift your financial independence date by a decade. Yet most people pick their rate by whatever's left over at month end.

Saving what's left after spending is the road to zero. Spending what's left after saving is the road to wealth.
— Worthune Decision Framework

You save whatever is left at month end — if anything
You've never calculated what savings rate you actually need
Your savings rate hasn't changed since your income grew

About This FinBook

Everyone says pay yourself first. But what's the right amount for your income, timeline, and goals? A data-driven framework for setting your savings rate.

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