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1. Know Where Every Dollar Goes
If you don’t track your money, it disappears faster than a bag of chips at midnight.
You can’t fix what you don’t measure. So start by knowing exactly where every dollar lands.
Here’s how to stay in control:
Track every expense. From rent to random coffee runs, write it all down.
Separate needs from wants. You’ll quickly see where the leaks are.
Check your accounts weekly. Small reviews keep you financially sharp.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Use a simple spreadsheet or a budgeting notebook to track every purchase for 30 days straight.
Make It Easy: Consider a compact expense tracker notebook to jot down purchases on the go.
2. Make a Simple Budget You Can Stick To
A complicated budget is like a treadmill that collects dust. You’ll quit using it fast.
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s consistency.
Here’s what an easy, real-life budget looks like:
List your income and expenses. Know exactly what’s coming in and going out.
Set flexible limits. Allow room for small treats. You’re not a robot.
Adjust monthly. Life changes, and your budget should too.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write out your income and bills, then give every remaining dollar a job. spending, saving, or debt.
Make It Easy: Consider a magnetic whiteboard budget planner to visualize your monthly money flow.
3. Use Cash or Debit Instead of Credit Cards
Credit cards feel painless. until the bill hits like a surprise guest at dinner.
Cash or debit forces you to face real spending limits in real time.
Here’s how this habit changes everything:
You’ll spend less. Watching cash leave your wallet hurts. in a good way.
No new debt. If you don’t have it, you don’t spend it.
Better control. You know exactly how much is left without interest surprises.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Withdraw your weekly spending cash and keep your credit cards out of sight for daily purchases.
Make It Easy: Consider a set of cash envelope wallets to separate your weekly spending categories.
4. Save A Portion Of Every Paycheck Automatically
Saving should be as easy as breathing. You shouldn’t even think about it.
When you automate savings, you take your willpower out of the equation.
Here’s why automation wins:
You save before spending. Priorities, not leftovers.
It builds momentum. Small amounts grow faster than you think.
No temptation. You never see it, so you can’t spend it.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up an automatic transfer to a savings account the same day your paycheck hits.
Make It Easy: Use a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate savings and earn interest effortlessly.
5. Build A Big Emergency Fund For Safety
Nothing ruins progress faster than surprise expenses.
A strong emergency fund keeps you calm when life throws a curveball.
Here’s what makes it powerful:
Peace of mind. You can handle anything without debt panic.
Fewer credit card emergencies. You’re your own backup plan now.
Financial stability. It turns chaos into confidence.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Save at least three months of expenses in a separate account you don’t touch.
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).
