In order to save for any goal—short, medium, or long-term—you’re going to need data. You need to know how much money you have coming in, and how much money you have going out. You’re also going to need to know where that money’s going. Tracking Your Income If you’re salaried, tracking your income should be straightforward. Your payslip will tell you how much you’ve earned gross, and how much you’ve received net of taxes. You’ll also be able to see if you’ve made any automatic contributions towards your retirement pot. It’s certainly possible that you’re already making some long-term savings, and you don’t even know it! But not everyone earns the same amount of money each month. Restaurant staff rely on tips. Salespeople earn bonuses. For freelancers, no two months are ever the same. If your income is irregular, look back over the last twelve months and work out your …