Though simplistic, your approach is skating on thin ice. Will we go deeper? Saving is important, but it's not everything. A stepping stone, not a strategy. The true game? Diversification. It's more than saving for a rainy day or a new project. Spread risks and seize opportunities across a spectrum. Stocks, bonds, real estate, cryptocurrency, etc
I also prefer to spread the risk into several things as you mentioned by continuing to make stepping stones such as saving for all these needs. Because before doing all that, of course everyone needs capital which is basically from their own savings for purposes such as shares, bonds, real estate, cryptocurrency, etc. So the savings approach is only the initial part of implementing each strategy on several things with very different levels of risk for each case.
Another thing: Financial literacy is required. Make educated decisions, not just options. Making investments without knowing market dynamics, risk assessment, and financial planning is like walking a tightrope blindfolded. You think you're progressing but aren't. Before you preach personal choice and common sense, do you understand the economics? Are you repeating platitudes? Be smart, think critically, and you might succeed in this difficult economy
To succeed in a difficult economy is not easy because it always requires precise and intelligent thinking so that you can face all the existing dynamics. Whether it's market dynamics as you said, or other dynamics that exist in life because nowadays almost all jobs that involve money definitely require proper literacy and accompanied by smart thinking.