A method that works for you matters more than which method you use. That’s why we encourage you not to get caught up in the details of a budget spreadsheet but instead focus on your goals.

Define your goals and their approximate dollar values and time frames. Then, understand your income and expenses to determine how much you can put away each month to pay yourself first.

The more you can put away, the sooner you can achieve your goals.

If there isn’t as much room in your budget as you would like, consider strategizing to make some adjustments.
And a robust way to stick to your savings goal is to automate them. I cannot stress this enough. Life is distracting and noisy. Make your savings program one less thing to think about.

And lastly, review regularly with someone you trust, like a partner, friend or advisor.