Save a Portion of Every Windfall Before You Touch the Rest

A tax refund, a bonus, a gift, an inheritance — unexpected money has a way of disappearing faster than regular income because it never felt like yours to begin with. The moment a windfall arrives, move at least half into savings before you do anything else. You will still have money to enjoy, but your future self also benefits.

This works because of timing. Once the money mixes with your regular spending, the psychological boundary dissolves and it gets absorbed into everyday expenses. By splitting it immediately, you lock in savings while the decision feels easy. Enjoy the rest guilt-free — you have already taken care of tomorrow.