Personal Finance: First Steps with Budgeting, Saving and Investing

Managing money well does not mean giving up everything; it means assigning a job to every dollar.
Start with the 50/30/20 rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% saving and goals. If your reality is
different, use the rule as a compass, not a cage. Build an emergency fund—at least three months of
expenses—in a liquid account to avoid high‑interest debt when life happens. Then tackle expensive
debts from the highest rate down. Only after your parachute is ready should you invest for years,
not weeks. Prefer simple, diversified products such as broad‑market index ETFs, and automate monthly
contributions. The goal isn’t to beat the market but to build habits that work in any season. Fewer
rules, applied consistently, are more powerful than bold predictions—and every mindful dollar moves
you closer to financial freedom.