Tracking your expenses, avoiding impulse purchases, and making a budget - are you guys asleep yet?

Budgeting is usually borrrrrrring. But don’t get me wrong, it is extremely necessary. There are lots of obvious things you can do to budget, but there are also some less obvious, but still simple, habits and hacks you can use every day to fix the hole in your bank account and become a mega-millionaire of yourself. Don’t believe me? Rude! I’ll prove it.

Set a 24-hour rule for non-essential purchases

That new iPhone is out and you’re foaming at the mouth wanting to buy it and replace your current iPhone which is nine months old. Instead of sprinting out to fill Apple’s coffers, pause. 

Whether it’s a gadget or a fancy pair of shoes, impulse purchases can throw your budget off track. Here’s the fix: if it’s not something you need immediately, enforce a 24-hour rule.

How can you resist the urge?

Put the item in your cart, close the tab, or walk away from the store. If you’re still thinking about it a day later, then maybe it’s worth considering. Often, you’ll find the urge passes, and you just saved yourself some cash. Congrats!

The “no-spend” day challenge

This one is easier said than done, hence the challenge. Pick one day a week where you don’t spend any money—no coffee, no takeout, no last-minute purchases. Take that, capitalism!

Won’t I die?

Plan ahead by packing lunch, bringing snacks, and making your coffee at home. The trick is to get creative about using what you already have. You’ll quickly see how often we spend money on little things without thinking.

Make yourself a boiled frog of saving cash

They say the way to boil a frog is to put it in a cold pot of water and gradually turn up the heat. I don’t know any cruel monster who has actually done this, but a similar strategy can apply to budgeting. Automating your savings is an obvious one, but sometimes it’s tough setting a regular transfer for a big amount. Instead, try sneaking up on yourself. Start with a small amount and gradually increase it over time by a little bit each time. 

Won’t I startle myself if I sneak up on myself?

You’re thinking too hard about this. Start by automating a small amount—say $10 a week—into a separate savings account. Then, every month, increase that amount by $1 or $2. It’s such a tiny increase that you won’t notice the difference, but after a year, those small amounts add up without causing any pain in your budget.

Shop your pantry before hitting Whole Foods

Do you ever find yourself trying a new recipe that asks for spices you’ve only vaguely heard of? WTF is tarragon? Sounds like a Game of Thrones character. Anyway, you go and back this obscure ingredient only to come home and find it already in your cupboard. How can you solve this embarrassing budgeting mishap? Shop your pantry first. 

Do I have to pay myself for items I buy in my pantry?

Sure man, whatever makes you happy. Shopping your pantry just means that before you head to the store, look through your fridge and pantry. Make a list of meals you can make with what you already have, then create a shopping list for only the necessary ingredients. This little habit can save you more than you think over time.

So do I still need to brush my teeth if I budget?

This is a personal finance, not a personal hygiene newsletter, so I’m just worried about the budgeting. What’s key to remember is that budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By adding these small, easy-to-do habits into your routine, you can manage your money with less stress. Try one or two of these tips and see how they work for you!