Step 2: The Income Plan

What is the Income Plan?

The Income Plan turns the 80/10/10 principle into a working monthly system. You'll build a zero-based budget and a 3 to 6 month emergency fund. "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow" (Proverbs 13:11).

Why does this step matter?

Most budgeting advice only tells you to cut back. This step also covers growing your income, through diligence, skill development, and treating work as an act of worship. A plan that only shrinks spending has a ceiling. A plan that grows income doesn't.

How does it help you build wealth?

It creates the margin, through spending control, an emergency fund, and income growth, that funds every step that follows: paying off debt, investing, giving, and retirement.

Who this step is for:

• Anyone who's never built a working budget
• Households living paycheck to paycheck
• Christians who want their spending to reflect their values
• Anyone without an emergency fund in place

What you'll walk away with:

• A working monthly plan for earning, spending, and saving
• A 3 to 6 month emergency fund
• A path to grow your income, not just cut spending
• Spending that lines up with what you say you value