"Pay yourself first" is a personal finance strategy where you automatically direct a portion of your income to savings or investments before paying any other expenses or bills. Rather than saving whatever is left over at the end of the month — which is often nothing — this approach treats savings as a non-negotiable expense that comes off the top. It works best when paired with automation, so the transfer happens on payday without requiring willpower or a conscious decision each month. This principle is one of the most consistently recommended strategies for building long-term wealth across all income levels.