5 Money Moves Smart Women Make That Nobody Taught Them

🔎 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. Automate Your Savings Before You Spend

You know what’s easier than remembering to save? Not having to remember at all.

Automation takes the “oops, I forgot to transfer money again” moment right off the table.

You get:

  • Consistent savings that grow quietly in the background.
  • Less temptation to overspend because it’s already out of sight.
  • Peace of mind knowing your future self is covered without effort.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up automatic transfers from your checking to a savings account every payday. start with even $25.

Make It Easy: Consider using a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate your savings and earn higher interest without lifting a finger.


2. Avoid Lifestyle Creep When Your Income Grows

You get a raise, and suddenly your “small” Target runs start looking like luxury hauls.

If your lifestyle grows as fast as your paycheck, your savings never stand a chance.

Instead, you can:

  • Keep expenses steady and let that extra income go to savings.
  • Grow your investments instead of your wardrobe.
  • Build financial freedom faster without cutting things you actually enjoy.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: When your income increases, decide beforehand where that extra money goes. like 50% to savings, 30% to fun, 20% to investing.

Make It Easy: Consider a budgeting notebook like the Clever Fox Budget Book to visually plan and cap your monthly spending.


3. Keep a “Rainy Day” Account Just for Emergencies

Life happens. Flat tires, vet bills, surprise medical copays.

Having a separate stash for the unexpected means you won’t panic or swipe your credit card at the worst time.

You’ll have:

  • Instant cash for emergencies so you avoid debt.
  • Less stress because you already have a plan.
  • Confidence knowing you can handle life’s curveballs like a pro.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a separate savings account labeled “Emergency Fund” and aim for at least three months of essential expenses.

Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to keep your emergency fund growing automatically in a high-yield account.


4. Create a Monthly “Fun Money” Budget

Let’s be real. Saving doesn’t work if it feels like punishment.

When you give yourself guilt-free spending money, you actually stick to your budget longer.

You’ll enjoy:

  • Freedom to spend on what makes you happy.
  • Balance between saving and living your life.
  • Less burnout because you’re not depriving yourself.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Decide on a set amount for guilt-free spending. Like $100 a month. and stick to it without shame.

Make It Easy: Try a cash envelope wallet like Soligt’s Budget Binder to physically separate fun money from essentials.


5. Always Know Where Your Money Goes

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, right?

Tracking your spending gives you full control, and seeing the numbers is often the wake-up call you need.

Once you start tracking, you’ll:

  • Spot wasteful spending that’s easy to cut.
  • Find hidden subscriptions quietly eating your cash.
  • Make better decisions because you know your real financial picture.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Review your past 30 days of bank transactions, highlight unnecessary expenses, and cut them out moving forward.

Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to automatically track and categorize your transactions without lifting a finger.


📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


Photo of author

Lily Thompson

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).