pay yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay yourself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone pays themselves or rewards themselves for completing a task or for their own benefit. For example: "Successfully completing the project was hard work, so I decided to pay myself by taking a weekend vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Always pay yourself first.

The New York Times

You pay yourself last.

The Guardian - Film

If necessary, pay him more than you pay yourself".

The New York Times

One of the oldest chestnuts in personal finance is, "Pay yourself first".

The New York Times

Pay yourself first -- put money into your savings and investments before paying your bills.

The New York Times

You can't just pay yourself 20 times more than a heart surgeon.

The Guardian - Opinion

When a business struggles, deciding not to pay yourself may seem a natural reaction, but it can obscure larger issues.

The New York Times

There's some questionable advice in the book, but one thing he said rang true to me: pay yourself first.

The New York Times

Just "pay yourself first".

Science Magazine

5) Pay yourself first.

Forbes

Decide to pay yourself first.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "pay yourself" first, clarify whether you're referring to setting aside savings or taking a reasonable salary from a business.

Common error

Avoid using "pay yourself" as a justification for excessive or unethical compensation. The principle encourages financial prudence, not greed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay yourself" primarily functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to prioritize their own financial well-being, whether through saving, investing, or taking a reasonable salary. Ludwig AI provides examples in diverse financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay yourself" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to encourage prioritizing personal financial well-being. As shown by Ludwig, this can mean setting aside savings, investing, or taking a fair salary. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that while widely applicable, it's crucial to clarify the specific context (savings vs. salary) to avoid misinterpretations. While its frequency and consistent presence in News & Media and Formal & Business sectors highlight its relevance, remember that the advice to "pay yourself" should encourage financial prudence and not excess. Finally, the advice should be tailored based on circumstances (e.g., high-interest debt).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put money into savings first

Specifies the order of financial actions, emphasizing saving before spending.

set aside funds for yourself

Directly suggests allocating money for personal use or savings.

prioritize your savings

Focuses specifically on the act of saving money before other expenses.

take a cut for yourself

Suggests setting aside a portion of earnings or profits for personal use.

invest in yourself

Highlights the broader concept of allocating resources (time, money, effort) for personal growth and benefit.

compensate yourself

Formal term for remunerating oneself for something.

reward your efforts

Emphasizes acknowledging and compensating oneself for hard work and achievement.

allocate resources for personal benefit

A more formal way of expressing the idea of using resources to improve one's own situation.

ensure your financial security

Highlights the long-term goal of securing one's financial future.

secure your own income

Focuses on actions taken to ensure a stable and reliable income stream for oneself.

FAQs

What does it mean to "pay yourself first"?

Paying yourself first means prioritizing saving and investing before paying bills or making discretionary purchases. It's a financial strategy to ensure you're consistently working towards your long-term financial goals.

How can I "pay myself first" if I'm struggling financially?

Start small. Even setting aside a small percentage of each paycheck can make a difference. Automate the process by setting up a direct transfer to a savings or investment account. Over time, increase the amount as your financial situation improves.

Is "pay yourself first" always the best advice?

While it's generally sound advice, there are situations where it might not be ideal. For example, if you have high-interest debt, prioritizing debt repayment might be more beneficial in the long run. Consider your specific circumstances and consult a financial advisor if needed.

What are some alternative ways to say "pay yourself first"?

You can use alternatives like "prioritize your savings", "invest in yourself", or "set aside funds for yourself" depending on the context.