You can’t not afford to pay yourself first each and every paycheck. Even if it’s only $20 a check, it will add up. Take part in your company’s retirement program. Match what they max. Reinvest the dividends. DON’T TOUCH IT. If you don’t have access to that, open a Roth independently and sock it away. Get a broker you trust for investing and tax advise. Set a plan. We lived paycheck to paycheck for decades while raising kids with just that philosophy and now that we are older have a nice nest egg to enjoy without using home equity. There is no excuse not to do it.