Saving money can be a challenge for even the most financially savvy. It takes willpower, sacrifice, determination...and a plan. A lot of people have a savings account, but is that really enough to meet your needs and make your future secure?

Often when sitting down with people to discuss savings we make a “bucket list.” This is a list of 5-6 savings buckets. Each bucket serves a different purpose, and allows families to plan - and save - more effectively.

The buckets are:

Save-to-Spend

Emergency Fund

Long Term Savings

Retirement

Health Savings Account

College Fund*

Bucket 1 - Save-to-Spend: This bucket is for the money you know you're going to need in the near future, for things like Christmas, birthdays, vacations, repairs/replacements, and small emergencies. $1,000-$5,000 may accomplish these immediate needs.

Bucket 2 - Emergency Fund: This bucket is for all those unexpected accidents or disasters. Aim for three to six months income - at a minimum. Depending on your income $30,000-$60,000 might work.

Bucket 3 - Long Term Savings: This bucket is for collecting money for some of the bigger projects you plan for, things like remodeling a bathroom, new HVAC system, or replacing a car. Paying cash for these large ticket items is the way to go. Aim for $10,000-$40,000.

Bucket 4 - Retirement: This bucket is for the next biggest change in your life - retirement, not working again. Actually, retirement may have a few different stages: there are the go-go years, the slow-go years, and the no-go years. Each of these time periods may consume different amounts of your retirement resources.

Bucket 5 - Health Savings Account: Save as much as you can for future healthcare expenses. This account is very valuable, due to the tax advantages.

*Bucket 6 - College Fund: Not everyone needs to have this bucket, but if this is something you want to save for, then certainly it should be included in your list.

If the worst happens and you need money now, if you have properly filled your buckets, you have multiple reserves to pull from. You would start by using the money from your 2nd bucket - your emergency fund. Then, if you needed more you would pull from your 3rd bucket - your long term savings fund, followed by your 1st bucket - your save-to-spend bucket. If things are still uncertain you could then pull from your 5th bucket - your HSA. Only under the worst scenario should you pull from your 4th bucket - your retirement fund.

It's important to know that each bucket is actually a separate account. Don’t think that compiling the funds will accomplish the same thing as each bucket would. When spending it’s often emotional and if the money is there, without a clear demarcation it will get spent on the wrong things. Remember it takes mountains of self-discipline to save money, but not much at all to spend it!!

This plan keeps your future secure while still allowing you to meet your current needs.

“If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.” - Edmund Burke

People inherently want to be prepared before they tackle something new or difficult. We want to get ourselves ready and organized. Throughout my career in guiding people with their finances I’ve heard many people say things like, “we’d love to get a financial plan, but we’re not ready yet,” “it will take me a few weeks to get ready”, or “I don’t even have a job, how can I make a financial plan?”

The two biggest killers to personal finance are ego and procrastination. Both may be involved when we say or feel that “we’re not ready.”

It’s often our ego that gets in the way of us wanting to open up and talk to someone about something so personal as our finances. I don’t know what everyone’s idea of what “ready” looks like, but in my experience people don’t want to reveal mistakes, a lack of knowledge, or bad planning choices that were made in the past. People may have fear of being judged or embarrassed. This puts them in a conundrum-struggling with their current financial situation, wanting help, but fearful of revealing their current situation. Hiding something out of sight will never fix the problem.

Often, this also tends to be a procrastination issue. Unfortunately, procrastination has a real financial cost. Securing tomorrow starts with planning today. Your financial future is not something that can be put off. The sooner you begin the more money you can save, and the easier the process can be.

Sometimes, life throws a curveball and there’s just no getting ready. Your Boss wouldn’t come into your office Monday morning and say, “Hey, I’m going to fire you Friday, make sure you’re ready.” Instead, it’s usually abrupt - “there’s the door” and you exit the workplace. It’s always better to tackle it head on, as soon as possible. You can do this!

It is the process of doing that actually gets us ready. Planning your secure tomorrow is never a cookie cutter blueprint. Everyone starts at a different point, which means it doesn’t matter where you are at right now. What matters is you take that first step.

“You can’t pick cherries with your back to the tree.” -J.P. Morgan

It’s the start of a new year, a time when people make resolutions and set goals. 2020 was chaotic and created difficulties, especially financially, for many people. This has prompted many to reevaluate their finances and attempt to gain a little more financial security, some for the first time. This has forced many to ask, “Where do I start?”

The short answer- at the bottom. When building anything, be it a physical structure, a business, or a financial platform you need a strong foundation.

Your number one task is to get organized. Build a personal balance sheet containing a summary of your assets and your liabilities. Subtract your liabilities from your assets to determine your net worth.

Your net worth is the bottom line-foundation number. This is the number you want to grow. It’s that simple.

Next you want to protect yourself, your family, and your assets. This includes proper insurance and an estate plan.

Now that you have a base you can work on developing your cash reserves. You should be putting money into a savings account every month. He who saves early saves the most. The bigger your savings grow the more you can invest and build a sound financial future.

“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it...He who doesn’t...pays it.” -Albert Einstein