3 account model in financial planning (picture: Buro Millennial, Pexels)
The 3-account model, also known as an additional account model, is a simple and effective way to organize your finances.
It helps them Clear to separate between fixed expenses, savings and your freely available budget. As a result, you not only keep an overview of your finances, but also create the basis for better handling of money – without unnecessary stress.
In this guide we show you How the 3-account model worksas you adapt to your needs and why this method is particularly useful for everyday life. With a clear structure and a few steps, you can achieve your financial goals more easily – whether it is about saving, investing or simply checking your expenses.
Definition: What is the 3-account model?
The 3-account modelalso known as a multi -account model, is a financial system in which you divide your income into three separate accounts.
Each of these accounts has a clearly defined purpose: Fixed expenses, saving and freely available money. The idea behind it is simple but effective: by clear separation you create overview and control over your finances – and without complicated bills or financial tools.
How does the model work?
- Account 1: Fixed cost account: All fixed monthly expenses, such as rent, insurance or electricity bills, land on this account. This means that their most important costs are always covered.
- Account 2: savings account: A separate account where you consistently cover part of your income – for Emergencieslarger purchases or long -term goals such as assets.
- Account 3: Fun account: This account is for your freely available expenses, such as leisure, hobbies or shopping. Here you can spend the money without a guilty conscience, because all other areas are already covered.
Why does the 3-account model make sense?
The 3-account model ensures that you always know what your money is used for.
It helps them to build financial disciplineAvoid rash expenses and consistently pursue their savings goals. At the same time, there is enough space for flexibility and fun – because a strict austerity course does not have to mean that you do without everything.
With this simple structure, you not only keep an overview, but also ensure that your finances remain stable in everyday life and in the long term.
Advantages of the 3-account model at an overview
The 3-account model impresses with its simplicity and effectiveness.
It helps you to organize your finances better, consistently pursue savings goals and keep expenses under control. This method is not only practical, but also creates a solid basis for long -term financial stability.
1. Clear separation for maximum overview
The model ensures a clear division of your money into fixed categories: fixed costs, saving and leisure. This structure always knows how much money you have for what purposes. This will avoid that important payments are overlooked or that your budget gets out of hand.
2. Security for monthly fixed costs
A separate account for fixed costs ensures that your regular expenses – such as rent, insurance and electricity – are always covered. This means that the most important payments remain organized and they do not get in the risk of getting into financial bottlenecks through unnecessary expenses.
3. Automated savings made easy
With a separate account for savings targets, you automatically put money back without having to actively think about it every time. Regardless of whether it is an emergency, larger purchases or asset structure – the model saves you by the way and consistently.
4. Full control over leisure budget
The account for freely available expenses shows you how much money you can plan for leisure, hobbies or shopping. This avoids a guilty conscience because you can be sure that all other important categories are already covered. At the same time, they know exactly when it is time to restore.
5. Promotion of more conscious handling of money
The structured division of her income forces you to think about her financial priorities. They do not spend rash, but act more consciously. Spontaneous purchases are automatically reduced by the clear system.
6. Flexibly adaptable to your life situation
The 3-account model is not rigid and can be easily adapted to individual needs. Regardless of whether you are single, in a partnership or part of a family – the model offers enough flexibility to create additional sub -accounts for special goals such as children or vacation.
7. Reduced stress through clear organization
Due to the separation into categories, there is no constant concern whether you can afford an output or whether there is enough left at the end of the month. The structure takes away this load and brings calm to your financial planning.
How to implement the 3-account model in practice
The 3-account model is not only an effective way to organize your finances-it is also surprisingly easy to implement.
With just a few steps, you can structure your expenses and lay the foundation for an orderly and stress -free financial management.
1. Check your income
The first step is to know your monthly income.
Let’s assume you earn net 2,500 euros per month.
This amount becomes the basis of your planning. First write down all fixed expenses that you have to pay monthly. This can be rent, additional costs, insurance, subscriptions and other regular costs. In our example, these fixed costs 1,500 euros.
These 1,500 euros are on one Separate fixed cost account transferred as soon as your salary is received. From there, all important payments run by permanent order – automatically and without having to think about it. So make sure that enough money is always available for the most important expenses.
2. Set savings targets
The next step is to define your savings goals.
How much do you want to cover every month for emergencies, larger purchases or retirement provision? A good guideline is included 10–20 % of net income. In our example you plan Saving 500 euros per month. You transfer this money to your own savings account. Here, too, it helps to set up a permanent order so that the amount is automatically put aside every month after receipt of the salary.
The savings account is particularly important because you have long -term security. Whether you build an emergency cushion, save for your next vacation or plan your old -age provision – due to the consistent separation, the money remains untouched until it is really needed.
3. Plan the rest for leisure time
What remains is the amount for freely available expenses.
In our example they are 500 eurosthat you can use for leisure, hobbies, shopping or restaurants. This money ends up in her third account, the so-called “fun account”. This gives you full control over your expenses and can be sure that all other areas are already secured. The best thing: you can spend this money without a guilty conscience because you know that everything else is going in firm lanes.
4. With permanent orders you automate your savings behavior
Automation is the key to the success of this model.
As soon as your salary is received, it is automatically distributed to the three accounts by permanent orders. In our example, the transfers could look as follows:
- 1,500 euros on the fixed cost account.
- 500 euros to the savings account.
- 500 euros In the leisure account.
With the 3-account model you create a clear order in your finances.
Whether you are single, live in a partnership or manage a family, the model can be easily adapted to every life situation. Additional accounts for children, vacation or larger savings goals can be supplemented at any time without disturbing the basic structure.
The concrete example shows how easy the model is to be implemented in everyday life:
- Cover fixed costs: 1,500 euros for rent, electricity, insurance.
- Save: Cover 500 euros per month.
- Freely available: 500 euros for leisure and personal expenses.
The result? More control, less stress and a clear overview of your financial situation.
This simple model ensures that you achieve your goals – without constant thinking or complex planning. With the 3-account model you know exactly where your money stays and can relax on your priorities.
Conclusion: The 3-account model-your key to financial clarity and control
The 3-account model is much more than just a method for organizing your finances.
It offers you a clear structure that makes it easier to control your expenses, to achieve savings goals and still leave enough space for leisure and personal wishes. With a division into fixed costs, saving and freely available money, you create financial security and preserve the flexibility that is so important in everyday life.
With the clear separation of your finances, you always know how much money is available for. Unnecessary expenses are automatically reduced and the risk of getting into financial bottlenecks is minimized. At the same time, the model ensures that you consistently follow your savings targets – without the fun of falling by the wayside.
They achieve maximum effect with little effort: Permanent orders take over the distribution of your money, so that you do not have to waste any additional thoughts about your finances. And the best thing about it? The 3-account model can be flexibly adapted to your personal life situation and your financial goals.
If you want to keep an overview of your finances, you use the 3-account model-for more clarity, less stress and a sustainable financial future.