Pay yourself first

Lesson 3 of 12 in our free Saving & Emergency Funds guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

This lesson is in the full version.

Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Saving & Emergency Funds is free for everyone.

Questions you'll answer

Which plan is most likely to actually work?

Round-ups: rounding card spends to the nearest pound and saving the change → Helps. Small and painless. Adds up — just check how much it really saves.
Naming your pot after the goal ('Lisbon 2027') → Helps. A named goal makes it harder to raid. Science-backed vibes.
Saving by not buying things you were never going to buy anyway → Hype. Treat maths classic: 'I saved £200 by not buying the coat.' That money didn't move anywhere.
A standing order on payday → Helps. Automation is the GOAT habit.
Keeping savings in the same account as spending → Hype. Out of sight, out of basket. Separate it.
Fact: “Automating savings makes you more likely to stick with it.” — Removing the decision removes the excuses.
Fact: “You can usually change or cancel a standing order whenever you want.” — You're in control — pause it in a tight month, restart after.
Myth: “Round-ups alone will build a full emergency fund quickly.” — They help, but usually only a few pounds a week. Pair them with a regular amount.