Feel Inspired with Your Money!
The Structure of Money: Think of It Like Water
Imagine you’re pouring a glass of water. You need a container, or else the water spills everywhere, wasted. Money works the same way—if you don’t have a structure for it, it disappears before you even realize where it went.
To take control of your money, you need a financial container. This means knowing exactly where your income is going and ensuring it’s distributed in a way that supports your financial well-being.
Why Most People Struggle with Money
Many business owners and entrepreneurs operate without a financial plan, treating money like an endless stream that they can dip into whenever they need it. That creates a problem. Without direction, money slips through their fingers, leading to stress, uncertainty, and missed opportunities.
The key to financial empowerment isn’t just making more money—it’s managing the money you have made effectively. And that starts with paying yourself first.
The 4-Cup Method: Your Money Blueprint
To create a system that works, think of your income as water filling a pitcher, and you dump that pitcher of water into four essential cups:
- Pay Yourself First (10%) – This is your reward for your hard work. Before you pay any bills or expenses, set aside at least 10% for yourself. If 10% feels too high, start with 1% and build up from there. The habit is more important than the amount.
- Taxes (20%) – Uncle Sam always gets his share. Set aside money for taxes consistently so you’re never caught off guard when tax season arrives.
- Personal Expenses (40%) – This covers your necessities—rent, utilities, food, transportation, and all the things you need to support your personal life.
- Business Expenses (30%) – Your business has costs, and investing back into it is crucial for long-term growth. Marketing, equipment, employees—this is where you fund your business’s future.
Not sure about these percentages? The percentages may be adjusted to fit your situation. The goal isn’t to follow a rigid formula but to create a structure that ensures financial stability and growth.
The Importance of Paying Yourself First
Most entrepreneurs pay themselves last. They pay bills, reinvest in the business, cover unexpected expenses—and only then, if there’s anything left, they take something for themselves. The problem that creates is there is rarely anything left in the end to pay themselves.
One of my clients, a business owner, used to reinvest everything back into her business and never paid herself. She constantly felt broke, even when her revenue was increasing. Once she started using the 4-cup method and prioritized paying herself first, her entire perspective shifted. She felt in control and confident, and her business grew more because she wasn’t operating from a place of scarcity. It became a game of how high she could get her balance. Instead of stressing over daily fluctuations, she checked her savings account every 365 days, celebrating the growth rather than worrying about the moment-to-moment changes.
Paying yourself first builds financial confidence. It shifts your mindset from scarcity to abundance. When you prioritize your financial well-being, you send a message to yourself (and your business) that you are valuable and worthy of financial security.
Start Small, Build the Muscle
If 10% feels impossible, start with 1%. The key is consistency. If you commit to saving $5 or $10 a week, you’re creating a habit that strengthens over time. Think of it like going to the gym—if you can’t lift heavy weights today, you start with lighter ones and build up your strength.
The Cost of the Life You Want
Financial clarity starts with knowing what you truly need. Ask yourself:
- How much money do I need each month to cover my personal and business expenses?
- What’s the real number that would allow me to live the life I want?
- What will it take to reach that goal?
Once you have a clear target, it becomes easier to structure your finances in a way that supports your vision.
Building Wealth with Intention
Money should work for you, not just pass through your fingers. Following this structure ensures that every dollar has a purpose, leading to less stress and more financial confidence.
Ready to Take Action?
- Start small. If you can’t do 10%, do 1%. The key is to start.
- Set up automatic transfers so your money is allocated before you have a chance to spend it elsewhere. Try using an app like Acorns or Robinhood. These apps create compound interest, which is your money working for you.
- Track your spending for one month and adjust your percentages to fit your reality.
- Find an accountability partner who will encourage you to stick to your financial goals.
The Bottom Line
Your financial future is in your hands. By structuring your money with intention, you take control and create a foundation for lasting wealth.
It’s time to stop letting money slip through your fingers and start directing it toward your dreams. What steps will you take today to pay yourself first? I challenge you to set aside 1% of your income this week as your first step in paying yourself first. If 1% feels easy, go for 5%. The key is to start today!
Becca Heissel is a certified Jack Canfield Success Principles trainer and the founder of Business Owners Advocate. She empowers entrepreneurs to transform their business and life through financial empowerment, strategic clarity, and mindset shifts. By helping business owners take control of their finances and build confidence, Becca ensures they create lasting success. Connect with Becca at businessownersadvocate.com or on LinkedIn.
QUOTE: Money, like water, needs a container. Without a plan, it slips through your fingers. Structure it, direct it, and watch it flow toward your dreams.” – Becca Heissel
