LPT: Don't SAVE what is left over after you have SPENT, SPEND what is left over at the after you have SAVED.

This was the turning point in my financial well-being. Before I would spend throughout the month, even using a budget, and save what was left over at the end of the month. Usually this ended up being a very small amount.

I decided to reverse this, and automatically save when I got paid (some into a savings account and some into retirement 401k/IRA), and then spend the rest after. My savings exploded.

I know it's a simple principle of "pay yourself first" but I didn't expect this much change in my financial health. I got used to the amount that was left over after I had saved and shortly after I didn't even notice that the savings was gone. This led to me increasing my savings slowly but surely, now I am a saving machine. I hope this helps some of you!