Transcript:
Hi, I’m Jeremy Riggs, Certified Financial Planner with Bass Wealth Management.
Give me the next 10 minutes, and I’ll walk you through a six-month game plan that can move you from “Where did all the money go?” to “Okay, I’ve got some breathing room.” No six-figure salary required.
Quick story to kick things off: last spring, I met a husband and wife teaching team — let’s call them Rob and Dana. They coached soccer on the weekends, worked hard, and somehow never felt ahead.
The light bulb moment came when they finally pulled every number into one simple sheet. Nothing else changed overnight, just visibility. Three months later, they weren’t rolling in cash, but the late-night money stress was gone. That clarity is what we’re chasing.
Month One: Face the facts
Grab a coffee, jot down four numbers:
The dollars that actually land in your account after taxes
The bills you must pay — housing, groceries, utilities, basic transport, anything you’ve already been tucking away for the future
Whatever is left is for the fun stuff
Seeing those four buckets — no judgment, just facts — turns the unknown into a plan. A free budgeting app or a quick spreadsheet works fine. The easier it is, the more likely you’ll stick with it.
Month Two: One-month safety cushion
Take the must-pay figure from month one and try to park that amount in cash by the end of this month. Too aggressive? Stretch it to two months, but set an actual date. Think of it as buying time, not cutting joy.
Month Three: Tame debt and start the real emergency fund
Line up every debt by interest rate. Anything north of roughly 8% goes to the front of the line. Pour every spare dollar there is until these balances shrink.
When the high-rate stuff is gone, aim for three months of expenses in an emergency fund — six if your income bounces around.
Month Four: Invest while you finish the cash cushion
First snag an employer retirement match — that’s part of your paycheck; you might as well collect it. It’s free money.
Next, open a tax-advantaged account that fits your situation and drop money into a broad index fund or ETFs. Keep it boring, keep it cheap.
Split new dollars between emergency fund and investments until the cash cushion is full, and then let investing take the wheel.
Month Five: Boost what comes in
Ask whether your current role still offers learning or earning upside. If it’s neither, consider negotiating or looking around.
Side gigs count too — freelance design, weekend carpentry, tutoring, whatever lines up with your skills. An extra couple hundred a month can shave off months of your goals.
Month Six: Put the system on autopilot
Set every bill, transfer, investment on automatic. When money moves right after payday, discipline is baked in.
Use a separate debit or account for everyday spending. When the balance hits zero, you’re done until next payday.
Block time each quarter to tweak the setup — income changes, goal shifts, laws evolve.
Wrapping up
Rob and Dana didn’t stumble on buried treasure. They just followed a structure like this and adjusted as life changed. Your mileage will vary, but small consistent moves can stack up.
If you want a second set of eyes on your numbers, I’m around. Either way, keep this step simple and keep them moving.
And remember, nothing here is a guarantee or one-size-fits-all advice. It’s education you can tailor to your own life.
Thanks for hanging around, and good luck on month one.
