If no one’s told you yet—you need a money routine. Seriously. Regularly reviewing your finances isn’t just good advice; it’s essential. Successful people consistently track their money and make plans for every dollar, so why shouldn’t you?
Here’s a simple breakdown of how I created my money routine, freed up extra cash, and started managing my finances like a pro.
Step 1: Audit Your Accounts
Start by combing through every single account. Look at your subscriptions, random charges, and memberships. When I did this, I discovered $895 was leaving my account every month on things I barely used! I canceled unused services, switched memberships to free versions, and cut that number down to $134/month—freeing up $761.
Step 2: Use the Snowball Method for Debt
Next, I tackled my credit cards. I listed out each card’s APR, minimum payment, and total balance. Then, I used the snowball method:
Take the money you saved (like my $761) and apply it to the card with the highest APR.
Once that card is paid off, roll the payment into the next card.
This focused approach helps you pay down debt quickly while still managing minimum payments on other accounts.
Step 3: Create a Savings Plan
After handling debt, I reviewed my income, bills, and expenses to calculate how much I could save monthly. By creating specific savings buckets (e.g., emergency fund, vacation fund), I made saving part of my money routine.
Step 4: Build Your Money Routine
Here’s the routine I follow to stay on top of everything:
End of the Month: Update a digital dashboard with expected income, bills, expenses, and upcoming events for the next month.
Every Payday: Allocate funds to the appropriate accounts before spending anything.
Track Payments: Mark off payments as they clear, ensuring everything is accounted for.
This system gives me clarity without tracking every single expense—because let’s be real, that’s not my style.
Your Money Toolbox
Ready to build your own money routine? Here are the tools I use to stay organized and take control of my finances:
Budgeting Planner My all-in-one planner helps you track income, expenses, savings, and goals effortlessly. It’s what I use to manage my money each month.👉 Get My Budget Spreadsheet Here
Debt Snowball Worksheet A simple worksheet to prioritize and pay down debt using the snowball method.
Expense Tracker If you want a deeper dive into your spending habits, this tracker makes it easy.
Calendar App Schedule your paydays, bill due dates, and money check-ins with a free calendar app to stay on track.
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