Always Pay Yourself First

One of the most important rules of wealth-building is simple: Always pay yourself first.

Most people treat saving and investing as something they’ll do after paying bills and covering expenses. The problem? By the time the bills are paid, there’s usually nothing left.

Instead, flip the script. The moment your paycheck arrives, set aside a small percentage—5%, 10%, or whatever you can manage—and use it to purchase income-producing assets. Stocks, index funds, real estate shares, or even starting a side business all fall into this category.

It doesn’t have to be a lot. Even $25 or $50 invested consistently begins to grow through the power of compounding. The key is not the amount—it’s the habit.

When you make paying yourself first automatic, you’ll build wealth quietly in the background. Over time, your assets will work for you, generating income and freeing you from living paycheck to paycheck.

Remember: bills will always be there, but opportunities to invest disappear if you don’t grab them. Pay yourself first, every time.

Action Step:

Today, commit to setting up an automatic transfer or app that invests a percentage of your next paycheck into an income-producing asset. Start small, but start now.