🔎 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. Pay Yourself First Before Spending
If you wait until the end of the month to save, you’ll never save anything.
You’ve got to treat your savings like a non-negotiable bill you pay to your future self.
Think of it like this:
Automatic savings transfers take willpower out of the equation.
Consistent deposits, even small ones, grow faster than you think.
Seeing your balance climb feels way better than a latte ever could.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up an automatic $125 transfer to savings every Friday before bills hit.
Make It Easy: Consider a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate those transfers and earn a higher interest rate.
2. Track Every Dollar You Spend Weekly
You can’t fix what you don’t measure.
If your money disappears faster than snacks in a shared office fridge, tracking it will show you where it’s leaking.
Here’s what happens when you do:
You’ll see patterns. Like how takeout magically eats $200 a month.
You’ll catch small subscriptions that sneak out like tiny thieves.
You’ll feel control instead of wondering why you’re always short.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Every Sunday night, check your transactions and label each one as “Need” or “Want.”
Make It Easy: Try using a simple budgeting notebook or planner you actually enjoy opening.
3. Cut Back on Things You Don’t Use
You’d be shocked at how much you’re paying for things you forgot you had.
That gym membership from 2021? Yeah, it’s still drafting $25 a month as it owns you.
Start trimming the fat:
Cancel unused subscriptions. They add up to hundreds yearly.
Downgrade plans you don’t need, like premium streaming.
Check auto-renewals before they sneak another year out of your account.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Make a “cancel list” and cut three automatic payments before the weekend’s over.
Make It Easy: Use Rocket Money to find forgotten subscriptions and cancel them with one tap.
4. Automate Your Bills and Savings Transfers
If “forgetting to pay” bills is your signature move, this will save your sanity.
Automation keeps you from missing payments and makes saving money as mindless as brushing your teeth.
Here’s what it helps you with:
Avoids late fees, which are literally money for nothing.
Builds your credit because you always pay on time.
Grows savings automatically, without needing reminders.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up autopay for bills and automatic transfers on payday so you never think twice.
Make It Easy: Open a Chime account to automate bills and savings in one easy app.
5. Use the 50/30/20 Rule to Stay Balanced
Budgets fail when they’re too strict.
This rule keeps your spending balanced so you don’t feel broke while still saving big.
Here’s how it breaks down:
50% needs: Rent, groceries, bills, gas.
30% wants: Fun, dining, shopping.
20% savings: Emergency fund or debt payoff.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Split your direct deposit into two accounts. One for bills, one for savings. Follow the 50/30/20 ratio.
Make It Easy: Try Rocket Money to automatically track your 50/30/20 percentages and show where you’re off.
6. Set Clear Short-Term and Long-Term Money Goals
You can’t hit a target if you don’t know what it is.
Setting clear goals gives your budget a purpose. And that’s what keeps you going when temptation hits.
Here’s what helps the most:
Short-term goals like saving $1,000 for emergencies keep you focused.
Long-term goals like a house or vacation remind you why you’re saving.
Visual reminders like sticky notes or vision boards keep it fun.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down two money goals. One for this month and one for the next year. And keep them visible.
Make It Easy: Use a small corkboard or dry-erase board near your desk for goal tracking.
7. Keep Fun Money in Your Budget to Stay Motivated
If your budget feels like punishment, you’ll ditch it faster than a bad first date.
Giving yourself “fun money” makes saving sustainable instead of restrictive.
It works because:
You’ll avoid burnout from being too strict.
You’ll spend guilt-free when it’s planned.
You’ll stay consistent since it feels balanced.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set aside a small “fun fund” each week. Like $25 for coffee dates or Target runs.
Make It Easy: Use a cute cash pouch or mini envelope system to store your weekly fun money.
8. Reward Yourself for Sticking to the Plan
Budgeting without rewards feels like working out without results. It won’t last.
When you celebrate your small wins, you keep your motivation high.
Here’s how to do it smart:
Pick free or cheap rewards like a self-care day or Netflix night.
Celebrate milestones like three months of consistent saving.
Make it intentional so it feels like a payoff, not a splurge.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Every month you stick to your budget, treat yourself to something small and meaningful.
Make It Easy: Use a wall calendar to mark “reward days” so you look forward to them.
9. Separate Bills From Spending Cash
Mixing your bill money with your spending money is like mixing laundry. Something important always gets ruined.
Keeping them separate helps you stay organized and avoid overdrafts.
Here’s why it works:
Bills get paid first, no surprises.
You know your real spending limit, not your whole balance.
You’ll stop “accidentally” dipping into rent money.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open a second checking account just for bills and transfer that amount every payday.
Make It Easy: Try Chime for easy account separation and real-time spending alerts.
10. Use Cash Envelopes to Limit Overspending
If swiping your card feels too easy, cash envelopes bring your spending back to reality.
You can’t overspend when the cash is gone. Simple, but powerful.
Here’s what makes it work:
You see your money physically leaving, so you think twice.
You stick to limits because envelopes keep you accountable.
You’ll feel proud every time you’ve got leftover cash.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick three categories you overspend in, like groceries, dining, and coffee. And give each its own envelope.
Make It Easy: Buy a cute cash envelope wallet with labeled slots to make budgeting feel stylish.
11. Make a Plan Before You Get Paid
If you don’t tell your money where to go, it disappears like socks in a dryer.
Planning before payday gives you control instead of chaos.
Here’s why it works:
You prioritize bills and savings before they slip your mind.
You stop impulse buys because the money already has a job.
You start payday calm, not broke two days later.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: The night before payday, write a mini plan showing exactly where each dollar goes.
Make It Easy: Use a compact dry-erase board near your fridge to jot down your plan every pay cycle.
12. Shop With a List to Avoid Impulse Buys
Walking into a store without a list is like grocery shopping blindfolded. You’ll grab everything shiny.
Lists keep you focused, frugal, and out of trouble.
Here’s what makes it so effective:
You save money by buying only what’s written down.
You shop faster, no wandering in tempting aisles.
You waste less food because you buy what you actually need.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write your list at home, eat before shopping, and stick to it like glue.
Make It Easy: Use reusable magnetic notepads on your fridge to build your list during the week.
13. Review and Update Your Budget Every Month
Budgets are like plants. They die if you ignore them.
A quick monthly review keeps yours alive and thriving.
Here’s what you’ll gain from doing it:
You’ll spot mistakes before they snowball into debt.
You’ll adjust spending based on what actually works.
You’ll stay motivated watching your progress build.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set a reminder on the first of each month to review your last 30 days of spending.
Make It Easy: Try Rocket Money to generate automatic monthly reports and trend summaries.
14. Build an Emergency Fund to Stay Protected
Life happens. And it’s rarely cheap.
An emergency fund keeps surprises from turning into financial disasters.
Here’s why it’s a must-have:
You avoid debt when big expenses hit.
You stay calm knowing you’ve got backup cash.
You build confidence because you’re finally prepared.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Start with $500, then grow it to cover three months of expenses over time.
Make It Easy: Open a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate and grow your emergency fund easily.
15. Find Cheaper Alternatives That Still Work
You don’t have to live like a monk to save money. You just need better swaps.
Cheaper alternatives let you live well without feeling deprived.
Here’s how to start:
Swap brands for generics on everyday essentials.
Find free fun like local events or outdoor movie nights.
Use cashback tools to earn on stuff you already buy.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Pick three things you buy often, compare cheaper options, and make the switch this week.
Make It Easy: Try Capital One Shopping to automatically find lower prices while you browse online.
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).
