Everyone tells you to follow the 50/30/20 rule. 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings.

Sounds clean. But here's the problem — most people under 25 can barely cover their needs, let alone save 20%.

Here's what I actually recommend if you're starting from zero:

Phase 1: Survive (months 1-3)

• Track every single dollar (yes, that $4 coffee counts)

• Cut 3 subscriptions you forgot you had

• Build a $500 emergency buffer — not $10K, just $500

Phase 2: Stabilize (months 3-6)

• Automate a $50/month transfer to a high-yield savings account

• Open a Roth IRA (you can start with $0 at Fidelity)

• Learn what an index fund is and why it beats 90% of stock pickers

Phase 3: Scale (months 6-12)

• Increase savings rate by 1% every month

• Start dollar-cost averaging into VTI or VOO

• Track your net worth monthly — watching it grow changes your behavior

The real "rule" is this: spend less than you make, invest the difference, and don't touch it.

I put together a complete spreadsheet tracker and a 41-page investing guide that walks through all of this step by step. It's helped people go from "I have no idea what I'm doing with money" to actually building wealth.

Check it out if you're serious about getting your finances right.