But First, Savings!
I get asked all the time, “When should I start investing?” Everyone wants to jump straight into investing. I get it! Investing feels exciting, like you’re finally building wealth.
Even money advice usually starts with “invest early” and while that’s true, it skips the most important step. Investing without savings is like building a house on sand, one unexpected expense and everything collapses.
Before you can invest, you have to learn how to save. Saving is your foundation.
Emergency Fund vs. Goal-Based Savings
Emergency Fund
Your emergency fund is the stopgap that protects the financial future you’re building. It keeps you steady when life throws curveballs. Because, let’s be honest, life always happens. An emergency fund isn’t about being pessimistic; it’s about being prepared.
It’s your “life happens” money. Things like car repairs, vet bills, medical surprises.
Start with a small, realistic goal like $500 to $1,000
Eventually work toward 3–6 months of expenses
Focus on consistency over perfection ($50-100 per paycheck is great BUT $15 counts too!)
Mindset tip: Dipping into an emergency fund, is not a step back. It’s protecting you from taking on extra debt or selling investments at a loss.
Goal-Based Savings
Saving with purpose, not pressure, creates a money mindset shift. I didn’t fully incorporate savings goals into my own life until the military took us to South Dakota. Being far from family made us realize that visiting them wasn’t just a “nice to have.” It became a priority.
Once that clicked, saving stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like a tool. We trimmed back on everyday comforts because the goal mattered more.
Goals-Based Savings are your “dream life” money. Things like vacations, a down payment, or starting a business.
Give each “dream” its own bucket to helps track progress & prevents extra spending
Name your accounts to make savings more personal and motivating (“Family Travel” or “Future Me Fund”)
Mindset tip: Every dollar you save is a step toward something that matters to you. Let that purpose keep you consistent, even when the balance feels small.
Building Micro-Habits
Big goals can feel intimidating, but taking small steps compound over time and build lasting habits.
Automate it
Get out of your own way and don’t even make it a choice! If it’s out of sight, it’s less likely to get spent.
Direct Deposits from your paycheck into savings are best
Automatic transfer from checking to savings the day after payday
Consistency over perfection!
2. Fast-track it
Small amounts build up over time.
Round up large purchases and save the difference
Proactively save extra money
Set aside 50% of your bonus or raise, tax refunds, gifts or unused budget
Save your payments
Once you pay off a debt, move that payment from debt to savings
3. Celebrate it
Every Transfer is a step towards your goal and seeing your account grow over time can be motivating!
Schedule regular progress checks (Monthly or Quarterly)
Celebrate milestones along the way (25% of goal, or $1,000 saved)
Extra Tips to Make It Stick
Visualize Your Goals
Use pictures to keep you motivated! Hang the picture in your office, bathroom or car to remind you what you’re working towards.
Micro-Savings Challenges
Try weekly or monthly mini-challenges. Skip one coffee a week and move that $5–$10 into savings. Small wins really add up!
Accountability Partner
Share your goals with a spouse, friend or the Funwell community. Checking in with someone else can help habits stick faster.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
Saving doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be consistent. Every savings goal tells a story: where you’ve been, what you value, and who you’re becoming.
So here’s your challenge: start a small savings goal today!
Even if it’s $10. Even if it feels insignificant because the habit matters more than the amount.
At Funwell, we help you turn those intentions into real progress, one small step at a time.
Start small. Stay consistent. Future you will be grateful. 💛
