Raven Cohen
Let’s be real—saving money sounds easy in theory. But between surprise takeout cravings, late-night Amazon binges, and “treat yourself” moments that somehow become a lifestyle… your bank account is giving ✨mystery vanishing act✨.
Enter: The $20 Rule—a tiny savings hack with big main character energy. People on Reddit, TikTok, and probably your financially responsible cousin can’t stop talking about it. And after trying it myself, I get why.
🧠 What Is the $20 Rule, Anyway?
It’s ridiculously simple:
Every time you get paid (weekly, bi-weekly, whatever), you take $20 and put it into savings. Immediately. No thinking. No overanalyzing. Just… gone. Like the pizza you told yourself you wouldn’t order last night.
The catch? You pretend that $20 never existed. It’s not part of your budget. It’s not yours to spend. It’s your ghost money now.
💥 Why This Tiny Rule Packs a Big Punch
Sure, twenty bucks doesn’t sound life-changing. But let’s do the math, shall we?
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2 paychecks a month = $40
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$40 x 12 months = $480
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That’s almost $500 you didn’t have before. And that’s just the basic version. Some people level up and do $20 per week, which clocks in at over $1,000 a year.
✨ Little numbers. Big vibes. ✨
🙃 But Like, Does It Actually Work?
Let’s put it this way:
I’m a chronic overspender. If there’s a Target nearby, I’m $60 poorer and in possession of a succulent I didn’t need. But when I tried the $20 Rule for 3 months, this happened:
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I didn’t feel deprived.
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I actually saved $240.
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I avoided impulse splurges because my “fun” money was more limited—and I could see the results.
Also, there’s something weirdly satisfying about watching a savings account grow, even if it’s just a crisp Andrew Jackson at a time.
🚫 Common Excuses (and Why They’re Trash)
❌ “I can’t afford to save.”
Girl, you can’t afford not to. $20 is one takeout meal or two overpriced lattes. If you can budget for iced coffee, you can budget for Future You.
❌ “It won’t make a difference.”
Tell that to your emergency fund during a surprise car repair or your future trip to Spain. $20 x time = magic.
❌ “I’ll forget.”
Then automate it. Most banking apps let you set a recurring transfer. Set it and forget it—like your gym membership, but with actual results.
🤯 The Secret Sauce: Psychology
It’s not just about the cash. It’s about behavior. The $20 Rule:
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Tricks your brain into saving without drama
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Makes saving feel doable
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Builds a habit that can grow over time (hello, $50 Rule?)
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Helps you stop overthinking your finances like a tortured spreadsheet goblin
✅ TL;DR – Why the $20 Rule Slaps
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No mental effort required
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Grows your savings slowly but steadily
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Helps you feel like a financially responsible adult
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Pairs well with other budgeting hacks
💬 Final Thoughts: Should You Try It?
If you’re terrible at saving, allergic to budgeting apps, or just want to build up a safety net without noticing—it’s a no-brainer.
Start with $20. Hide it from yourself. Watch it grow. Then tweet about how you’re now a financial genius. You earned it.
✨ Bonus Challenge:
Try the $20 Rule for just one month. That’s $20–$100 depending on your pay schedule. If it doesn’t work, hey—you’ve still got extra cash for tacos. Win-win. 🌮
