what does pay yourself first mean?

"Pay yourself first" is a personal finance strategy that means automatically setting aside a portion of your income for savings or investments before paying any bills or spending on other expenses. The idea is to prioritize saving money—such as for retirement, an emergency fund, or other long-term goals—by treating your savings like a fixed expense that must be paid right when you receive your paycheck, rather than saving only what is left over after spending. This approach helps ensure consistent saving, reduces the risk of spending all your money, and supports building financial security and opportunities over time.