🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.
1. Stop Paying for Convenience and Start Paying for Value
You know that $6 coffee that tastes exactly like the one you can make at home? Yeah, that’s convenience disguised as luxury.
Every time you pay for convenience, you’re quietly trading your future $20,000 for five minutes of ease.
Here’s the truth: paying for value means choosing things that last, work better, and save you money over time.
Cook once, eat twice: Make double portions of dinner and pack leftovers for lunch.
Buy durable, not trendy: Invest in things that don’t break after a week (yes, even your phone case).
Do it yourself sometimes: From cleaning to car washes, a little effort goes a long way.
👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Spend one week tracking what you pay extra for convenience, then swap just one habit. Like cooking coffee at home instead of buying it.
Make It Easy: Consider a reusable thermal coffee mug so you can bring your brew anywhere.
2. Cut the Biggest Monthly Money Wasters
Let’s be real. Some bills are sneaky little vampires draining your account each month.
You don’t need to cancel everything, but you do need to spot what’s not worth your money.
When you cut the biggest wasters, it’s like giving yourself an instant raise.
Unused subscriptions: Gym memberships, apps, or streaming services that collect dust. Cancel them.
High-interest debt: That credit card balance is not your friend, so pay it off first.
Overpriced phone plans: Compare carriers; most offer better deals if you simply ask.
👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Go through your last two bank statements and highlight anything that didn’t make your life better, then cancel or renegotiate.
Make It Easy: Try Rocket Money to automatically find and cancel unused subscriptions in one tap.
3. Cut Hidden Costs in Your Everyday Routine
You’d be shocked at how much money slips through the cracks in your day-to-day life.
These aren’t big, dramatic expenses. They’re small leaks that slowly sink your budget.
The good news? You can plug them fast.
Late fees: Set up auto-pay to avoid paying extra for being forgetful.
Energy use: Unplug devices when not in use and swap bulbs for LEDs.
Impulse buys: Delete saved cards on shopping sites, so you think twice before clicking “buy.”
👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Review your last month’s transactions and circle every charge under $25; identify which ones you can avoid next time.
Make It Easy: Get a smart power strip to automatically cut off idle electronics and save energy.
4. Automate The New Savings So You’ll Never Miss
You don’t save what’s left after spending. You save first and spend what’s left.
Automation makes it effortless, like brushing your teeth, but for your wallet.
Once you set it up, your savings grow even when you forget about it (which is kind of the point).
Direct deposit savings: Send part of your paycheck straight to savings before you even see it.
Set-it-and-forget-it transfers: Schedule small automatic transfers weekly or biweekly.
Name your accounts: Label them “Vacation” or “Emergency Fund” to stay motivated.
👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Log into your bank app and set up an automatic transfer of even $25 a week to start.
Make It Easy: Open a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate your savings and earn interest without lifting a finger.
5. Keep Your Savings in a Separate Account
Out of sight, out of mind. That’s the secret to keeping your hands off your savings.
When your spending and saving are mixed, it’s way too easy to “accidentally” dip into it.
A separate account creates a clean boundary between your goals and your groceries.
No temptation: You won’t see your savings every time you check your balance.
Faster progress: Tracking growth feels exciting when it’s isolated from spending.
More control: You’ll instantly know what’s “safe to spend” vs. “hands off.”
👉 Here’s How You’ll Do It: Open a free online savings account and nickname it “Do Not Touch.”
Make It Easy: Open a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to safely grow your savings while keeping it out of everyday reach.
Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: stretching a dollar and talking about stretching a dollar. I created Money Vice after one too many grocery trips where I watched my total climb and thought, "There's gotta be a better way." Spoiler: there is. Think of me as your money-savvy friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand).
