The AYM™ System in 10 Easy Steps

1. Picture your money as three pools: a Fortress, a Current, and a Reservoir.
   The Fortress is the bills and debt pool for paying all fixed expenses. The Current is the living and leisure pool for daily spending money. The Reservoir is the savings pool for future needs. Create a visual separation and picture these three pools in your mind.

2. Calculate your weekly amount needed for bills, living money, and savings.
   Total your regular monthly bills and debt payments for one month and multiply that number by 12. Use The 48-Week Magic™ and divide your answer by 48 to get your weekly "Bill Pay" number. The magic is that you will make deposits for all 52 weeks, building up an extra month of bill pay money as a quiet, cushion of savings. Subtract your Bill Pay number from your weekly earnings and use the remainder to set fixed weekly amounts for your living money and savings.

3. Open three linked bank accounts: two checking and one savings.
   Open a checking account called Bill Pay-this is your Fortress. It collects all inflow of money into the System, pays all bills and debt payments, and diverts money into the other two pools. It has no debit card or checks and uses online bill pay only. Open a checking account called the Living account-this is your Current. It is for the living and leisure pool and has a debit card (and checks, if desired). Open a savings account, your Reservoir-for your savings pool. All three accounts should be at the same bank and linked in your online banking portal.

   The Golden Rule of the Fortress

   Your Bill Pay account must always be protected. It is completely quarantined for your bills and debt obligations. You guard it, you protect it, and you never dip into it. Treat this pool as a sacred boundary.

4. Create a path for your money to flow into your three pools.
   Set up all bills and debt payments in Bill Pay using the Bill Pay account for the payment source. Set up a weekly automated transfer from the Bill Pay account to the Living account for the weekly living amount you set in Step 2. This is the money you will use for daily living throughout the week. Then set up a weekly automated transfer from the Bill Pay account to your Savings account for the weekly savings amount you set in Step 2.

5. Deposit all earnings directly into your Bill Pay each week.
   Set up direct deposit from your employer or manually make weekly deposits of all earnings into the Bill Pay account. Your earnings must cover at least the sum of the weekly Bill Pay amount, the Living amount, and the Savings amount if you choose to save. Because you transfer out the weekly living and savings amounts, the amount remaining in the Bill Pay account each week must be at least your weekly Bill Pay amount.

6. To start your System running, make your first weekly deposit.
   You can start with your first weekly earnings, or start with cash from another source such as savings, tax refund, or any other influx of cash. The total deposit must be at least the sum of funds needed for your three pools. Make sure no major bills are due immediately so your weekly Bill Pay amount can handle the first week of upcoming bills.

7. Use temporary tracking to figure out why the System isn't working.
   If your numbers don't work so you can start the System, you may have a shortage of inflow. If your numbers came out right and you start the system, but your living funds dry up before the week is over, you likely have an overflow. Temporary tracking helps you see where the problem is so you can correct it and get the System running smoothly.

8. Equalize the flow by increasing earnings or decreasing spending.
   If you have a true shortage, it means your income cannot cover the essentials. In this case, you must increase your earnings. You have nothing to cut, so more inflow is the only solution. If you have an overflow, you earn enough to cover essentials and have spending money, but your weekly living funds run out too soon. You can solve this problem by tightening your spending, increasing your earnings, or using a mix of both.

9. When you're in the AYM™ System, your financial life operates smoothly on autopilot.
   No more juggling money between accounts or living paycheck to paycheck. Your bills are paid on time from your Fortress, your Current has cash for weekly living, and your Reservoir of savings is quietly growing. Finally, you have breathing room and your money is helping you live a better life.

10. Once your System is running, your only job is to keep up the weekly rhythm.
    Make sure all your earnings go into the Bill Pay account to keep your Fortress strong. Always pay bills through Bill Pay. Let the weekly transfer fund your Current for daily spending. Keep building your Reservoir of savings. Adjust your numbers when life circumstances change for you. The long-term habit of AYM can keep you stable for years.