The Growth Engine

Your Growth account is where wealth actually gets built. Target a minimum of 20% of take-home pay flowing here automatically on every payday.

Split it strategically: first, fill your emergency fund until you hit 3-6 months of expenses. Then maximize any employer-matched retirement accounts — that match is a guaranteed 100% return no investment can beat. Finally, direct the rest into a low-cost brokerage for long-term investing.

The critical rule: fund it on payday, not at month's end when nothing is left.