This is a loosing game for most workers in this generation. It is no hype, if a worker wants to become wealthy, or even well off, then the first payment should be to them.

Part of our goal setting should be to have a nest egg for us. Some people sign up for a savings plan at work like an IRA or 401K. But what happens in the meantime? How can you take a vacation, but a boat or pay for an education for the kids?

Many financial planners advise you to save 10% of your income for yourself, or pay yourself first.

Now days, you may be scurrying around to pay the housing, utilities, car loan, all your expenses. If there is any money left, you might have some fun, or go somewhere great. Maybe you will buy new clothes. Perhaps your choice would be to get new furniture.

There are events in your life that you might not be able to control. A car wreck might total your car and leave you without transportation. While you wait for your insurance company to send a check, you might need to buy another car. If you have been paying yourself first, there would be money in savings to do this.

A true story was told in a budgeting class in adult Ed night school. A small family came to the USA when they got the VISA to relocate. They had a job promised when they got here. Renting an adequate apartment in a medium range complex, they began working hard. Every payday, they went to their credit union and put 10% into an account. This went on for 10 years.

Both of them worked until children came into their lives but they stayed in average apartments during this time. The breadwinner got raises and promotions but their spending remained cautious. Their goal was to have their own home and a family business.

After a couple of promotions and raises, a co-worker asked them why they were staying in the 3-bedroom apartment. The answer was this.

"For the first 10 years in the USA, we will live like you will not live. Then for the rest of our lives, we will live like you cannot live".

They accumulated over $50,000 in savings plus a credit score over 650. Between cash and credit rating, they were able to move into a beautiful 4-bedroom home with full-unfinished basement. Their credit allowed them to purchase commercial sewing machines for embroidery and quilting, and leather sewing ability. In less than 11 years they were on their way to a $200,000 annual income producing leather coats, sheepskin coats, moccasins, and embroidered fancy dresses and baby christening clothes.

Yes, and they did live the rest of their lives in upper middle class comfort.

To build a hefty savings account, there are some simple financial programs you can start. One of the best ones includes `compound interest'.

This is a credit card society. We buy what we want now, and then start making the payments of principle and interest. On the other hand if we will wait a while for the items we want, and put money into a savings program at work, we will not see that money and will not miss it. Compound interest is income you receive from the savings. You have money in an account and it pays you interest. Leaving the money or principle there as well as leaving the interest there, then you get interest on your savings and interest on your interest. This is not earned income. It is a higher level of income production. This is how your can pay yourself first.