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Saving before you accelerate — the 10/20/70 guardrail

Why Lorica checks whether you're already saving before it speeds up your debt payoff — and the simple 10/20/70 idea behind it.

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Written by William Eskridge

Before Lorica accelerates your debt payoff, it looks for one thing: whether you're already setting money aside for yourself. That's on purpose.

The idea comes from a simple, old framework — pay yourself first. A common version splits your income three ways:

  • 10% to savings — your buffer for the unexpected.

  • 20% to debt — steady, focused payoff.

  • 70% to living — everything else.

Most debt apps push you to throw as much as possible at debt, as fast as possible. Lorica doesn't — because we've seen what happens when someone empties every dollar into debt and then the car breaks down on a Tuesday. Without a cushion, one surprise expense can put you right back into new debt, undoing the progress you just made.

So here's how the guardrail works:

  • If Lorica sees you're already saving, it notes that and moves ahead.

  • If it doesn't, it shows a gentle heads-up before turning on your debt contributions. It never blocks you — you can acknowledge it and continue.

  • If your debt and savings together would take up more than about 30% of your income, Lorica flags it so you can decide with your eyes open.

None of this is a judgment. The guardrails exist because Lorica would rather you pay debt down without leaving yourself exposed. You're always the one who decides.

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