Cashflow series - Simple Money Management for Couples

Key Points (Quick Scan)

• The 3-bucket system makes managing money simple and stress-free.

• Divide income into FUN expenses: Fixed, Upside, and Now.

• Couples who use this system feel in control without tracking every coffee.

• It’s not about restriction — it’s about clarity and teamwork.

Why Most Couples Struggle With Cashflow

Budgeting feels like a punishment to many couples. Endless spreadsheets, cutting back on lattes, and arguments about “who spent what.” No wonder most people avoid it.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need a complicated budget to feel in control. You need a simple system that tells your money where to go — automatically. That’s where the 3-Bucket Cashflow System comes in.

As Dave The Money Dad, I’ve promote this with families across Australia. It works because it’s easy, flexible, and built for real life.

What Are the 3 Buckets?

Think of your income as water flowing into three clear buckets. Every dollar has a job, so nothing “disappears” and aligns perfectly to my FREE toolkit DTMD Financial Scorecard.

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”
Warren Buffett

1. Fixed (Committed Costs) Bucket

This is for fixed, committed and non-negotiable bills:

• Rent or mortgage

• Utilities: electricity, gas, water, internet)

• Food (home): The essentials need to live

• Insurance

• Debt repayments: Minimum

• Kids: School fees, uniforms, excursions

• Health: Doctor, Dentist, Medication, Optometrist

• Transport: Public Transport, Fuels

💡 Tip: Automate payments from this account. No more missed bills, late fees, or “who forgot to pay?” arguments.

2. Uplift (Financial Freedom) Bucket

This is where wealth is built. It covers:

• Savings: Emergency Fund, Holidays, Special Goals

• Investments: Shares, ETFs, Super Top-ups

• Long-term planning: Home deposit, Freedom from Debt

• Career Growth: Courses, Tools, Coaching to earn more

💡 Tip: Even small contributions matter. $50 a week into this bucket grows over time.

3. Now (Guilt Free Spending) Bucket

This covers your everyday, flexible spending. Some ideals below:

• Experiences: holidays, adventures, bucket list

• Entertainment: Concerts, Movies, Streaming, hobbies

• Health & Wellness: Gym, Massage, Retreats, Beauty

• Food & Dining: Restaurants, Cafes, Premium Groceries

• Convenience: Cleaners, rides, subscriptions

• Personal Styling: Hair, wardrobe, accessories, home styling

• Networking: Hosting, Parties, Clubs

• Learning and Fun: Personal Courses and Hobbies

• Giving Adhoc: Spontaneous giving, gifts

💡 Tip: Use a separate account or card for this bucket. When it’s empty, you know you’ve hit your limit.

Why This System Works for Couples

• Clarity — You both know where the money is going.

• Fairness — Fun spending comes from the Living bucket, not arguments.

• Security — Bills and debt are covered first, automatically.

• Progress — Future goals don’t get lost in the chaos of daily life.

Couple move from constant fights to calm teamwork just by separating their accounts into these buckets. Suddenly, money stress dropped because the system did the heavy lifting.

“Cashflow is the heartbeat of your finances — steady rhythm means financial health.”
— Dave Stanton

How to Set Up the 3 Buckets

1. Open three accounts: Fixed, Uplift, Now (FUN expenses)

2. Calculate your monthly income.

3. Divide it into percentages everyone is different, Example:

   • Fixed (Committed Costs): 50-60% - some may be higher too

   • Uplift (Future Costs): 20%-30%

   • Now (Enjoy Life): 20%-30%

4. Automate transfers on payday.

It’s flexible — you can adjust the split as your situation changes.

Internal Links for Next Steps

• Ditch Debt Faster: Aussie Guide To Paying Off Credit Cards & Loans

• Build a $5000+ Emergency Fund in Australia - Even on a Tough Budget

• How Much Should I Spend on Rent, Groceries and Fun?

Ready to Simplify Your Cashflow?

The 3-Bucket System is simple, powerful, and life-changing. Once set up, it does the work for you — so you can focus on living, not stressing.

I have made this super easy, so even i use it regularly to create and maintain my wealth scorecard.

So now you can too. Get access to the DTMD Financial Scorecard here - It is FREE to use

✅ Built for real life, not spreadsheets
✅ Buffers, budgeting, debt help and more
✅ Lifetime access — start today

FAQ: The 3-Bucket System

Q: Do we need three separate bank accounts?
A: Yes, that’s what makes it work. Each bucket has its own space, so money can’t mix.

Q: What if our income changes month to month?
A: Adjust the transfers based on what you earn that payday. The percentages stay the same, the amounts change.

Takeaways (Expanded Recap)

• The 3-Bucket System splits income into Living, Committed Costs, and Future.

• It removes stress, stops leaks, and builds progress automatically.

• Couples who use it fight less and feel more in control.

• Automation makes it easy — no constant tracking needed.

• Wealth Together gives you the tools to implement systems like this smoothly.

Final Thoughts

To wrap things up: money management doesn’t need to be hard. The 3-Bucket Cashflow System keeps it simple, clear, and effective.

Remember: clarity creates calm. When your money has a job, you can finally breathe.

— Dave The Money Dad

Financial Disclaimer

This is not financial advice. The information provided is for educational purposes only. Please consider your personal circumstances or seek professional advice before making financial decisions.