Get a handle on your spending

Start tracking where your money goes and why it keeps disappearing.

Ever feel like your money just…vanishes?

You check your bank account, blink twice, and somehow you're down $300? You’re not alone. Getting a handle on your spending isn’t about never buying coffee again; it’s about understanding what your money is actually doing so you can make smarter, more intentional choices.

In this guide, we’ll help you:

1. Uncover where your money is really going

2. Escape common traps that keep you broke

3. Make small changes for big impact

4. Build a flexible spending plan that fits your real life

Let’s walk through it, step by step.

Step 1: Reflect

Reflection activity

Before you can change anything, you need to see the full picture. That means tracking your spending and recognizing habits that might be working against you.

Most people don’t plan to overspend; they just don’t know where their money’s going. It’s like trying to lower your grocery bill without knowing what’s in your fridge. You might buy three cartons of eggs, but forget you already have two. Budgeting starts the same way: by taking inventory, not by cutting things out.

Ask yourself these questions:

• When you feel “broke,” what (or who) do you usually blame it on?

• What’s one spending habit that sneaks up on you more often than you'd like to admit?

Articles to help you take account of your financial situation

Step 2: Take action

Take a baby step

Once you know your spending patterns, the next step is to make small, doable changes that align with what you actually want your money to do for you.

Cutting expenses doesn’t have to mean “cutting out joy.” It’s more like asking, “Is this worth it for me right now?” Maybe that streaming service is a lifeline. Great. Keep it. But maybe the gym membership you never use is silently draining your account.

Intentional spending isn’t about feeling guilty or shaming yourself; it’s about gaining clarity.

Try this:

Choose one spending category (like groceries, entertainment, or subscriptions). Track it for a week. What’s one tweak you could try?

Additional tools + apps

1. YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Pairs well with Jesse Mecham’s book. This is a flexible budgeting app that emphasizes giving every dollar a job.

2. EveryDollar
Created by Ramsey Solutions: Very structured, easy to use, and helps with goal-based budgeting. (Less flexible, but helpful for beginners.)

3. Goodbudget
Envelope-style budgeting for folks who want more control and don’t need full automation. Available as an app and web tool.

Recommended books

1. *You Need a Budget by Jesse Mecham
Simple, clear, and mindset-shifting. Great for readers who want a values-based approach to budgeting that feels empowering, not restrictive.

2. *The No-Spend Challenge Guide by Jen Smith
A short, punchy read that’s perfect for those ready to experiment with spending less without going full frugal-minimalist.

3. *The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape
Australian-based but very readable. Offers down-to-earth steps for managing finances, including spending categories and a simple “buckets” method.

4. I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Written for a younger audience but still useful across life stages. Blunt, funny, and focused on conscious spending, automation, and guilt-free indulgence on your own terms.

5. *The Art of Money by Bari Tessler
For folks who know that money is emotional. This book blends psychology with practical budgeting advice and encourages journaling and reflection.

*This is an affiliate link, which means if you use my link and buy the thing, I get a small commission with no extra cost to you. I would never recommend something I don’t 100% believe will help you.

Articles to help you take charge of your spending

Podcasts

1. The Budgetnista – Brown Ambition
Co-hosted by financial educator Tiffany Aliche, this podcast mixes financial empowerment with real talk. Great for folks who want stories and straight-up strategies.

2. Frugal Friends Podcast
Practical and encouraging, with lots of actionable advice for lowering expenses and being intentional with spending.

3. Her First $100K – Financial Feminist
Hosted by Tori Dunlap, it combines personal finance with social justice—ideal for those who want to feel good about taking control of their money.