Pay yourself first. I have used this method for years. Decide how much you want to pay yourself and treat it like the most important bill you have that can never be missed and never be late. It may force you to make choices you would not have otherwise thought of. Of course, if you are *really* tight and it is paying rent vs. paying yourself, this would be an issue. I am fortunate to have never been in that situation.
There are also some tools and apps I find useful to supplement savings like Acorns and my bank, USAA that will round up transactions and pull the difference from your account to another savings account each month. Good luck.
