高枕無憂的財務自由之道

個人理財的關鍵在於習慣，而不僅僅是收入的高低。養成精明分配收入的紀律，將讓你受用無窮。使用『金錢習慣系統』，可以建立這種紀律。
Personal financial management is about habits, not just your level of income. Develop the discipline to allocate your income astutely and it will serve you well. Use the "Money Habit System" to build that discipline.

具體來說，你應該事先規畫，習慣地將每月總收入按比例分配到以下5個項目：

1 你的需求──基本生活開銷

2 你的想要──可自由支配的支出

3 你的夢想──滿足渴望的支出

4 你的還債與未來──償還債務、長期儲蓄

5 你的應急基金──因應意外的開銷

接著，你可以將各類資金撥入不同的銀行帳戶，藉此掌控系統。然後，定期檢視，決定是否需要調整分配比例。

「使用這套『金錢習慣系統』不需要改變你原本的樣子。你不必精通某項技能、不必使用預算軟體，也不必剝奪日常生活中的樂趣。一旦設定完成，系統就會自動運作。你再也不必懷疑錢夠不夠用，也不必為自己的財務選擇感到愧疚──包括花錢買自己想要的東西。你還可以開始存錢，追求那些你以為不可能、甚至早已放棄的夢想。」
──麥可．米卡洛維茲

Specifically, you should plan in advance what percentage of your total monthly income you will habitually allocate to each of the five categories:

1 Your needs – essential living expenses

2 Your wants – discretionary spending

3 Your dreams – aspirational spending

4 Your fix/future – eliminate debt, long-term saving

5 Your emergency fund – for unforeseen expenses

You then add control systems by having the funds for each category in different bank accounts. Periodically, you decide whether your allocations need to be varied.

"Using the Money Habit system doesn't require you to change who you are. You don't have to master a skill, use a software budgeting tool, or deprive yourself of everyday joys. Once you set it up, it will run automatically. You won't have to wonder whether you have enough money for this or that. You won't have to feel bad about your financial choices, including spending money on what you want. And you'll accumulate money to go after dreams you may have thought impossible, dreams you may have given up on long ago."
– Mike Michalowicz