Investing First in Yourself Pays Dividends
Dear Dr. Don,
You often advise readers to "pay yourself first." It sounds like a fine idea. But I'm wondering how that actually should work. I'd like to know how much or what percentage of my income should be set aside to pay myself first.
Thanks,
-Paul Payday
Dear Paul,
I'm not sure what you were reading, but Paula Pant wrote on this topic in Bankrate's Saving Money Blog in a post dated Sept. 18, 2013. You might check out her post. But here's my take on investing in yourself. It's the financial version of "looking out for No. 1."
Consumers are constantly making spending and investment decisions about how to handle income and assets. Most people invest to meet their anticipated financial needs and spend to meet current needs. If you pay yourself first, you'd be making investing the top priority over consumption.
To help decide how much to invest or save, you'll need to get a handle on your future life and financial goals. Whether it's the need for retirement income, college costs for your children or a second home, the goals all need funding.
It's not a perfect measure for everyone, but I'd estimate that one-third of an individual's income goes to taxes, one-third goes toward shelter, which leaves the remaining one-third of your income to meet current consumption and investment plans.
To help you do the math, if you split the final one-third in half you'd be saving 16.67%. But that will only work if you can meet your current consumption needs with a relatively small slice, just 16.67% of your income.
I like to see more people strike a balance between consumption and investing. Delayed gratification can help you meet your future financial goals, despite the perception that you're limiting your ability to enjoy life today. You risk limiting your future financial well-being by being burdened with any interest charges and carrying credit card balances. In that case, your choices could be extremely limited down the road. We're hoping you'll do what's needed to avoid that.
Get more news, money-saving tips and expert advice by signing up for a free Bankrate newsletter.
Ask the adviser
To ask a question of Dr. Don, go to the "Ask the Experts" page and select one of these topics: "Financing a home," "Saving & Investing" or "Money." Read more Dr. Don columns for additional personal finance advice.
Bankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.
Read More from Bankrate