🔎 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. Don’t Depend on Anyone Else for Your Finances
You’re smart, capable, and completely able to handle your own money. So don’t hand over that power.
Depending on someone else for financial security can leave you vulnerable when life throws curveballs.
Here’s why taking control is everything:
You gain independence, knowing your future is in your hands.
You build confidence by mastering your money decisions.
You stay protected, no matter what happens in your relationships.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open your own checking and savings accounts if you haven’t already, and start managing your bills directly.
Make It Easy: Use a finance planner notebook to track bills, savings, and goals in one place.
2. Keep At Least $2,000 Saved for Emergencies for Peace of Mind
Emergencies aren’t a matter of if. they’re a matter of when.
Having a small safety net keeps you calm when life gets unpredictable.
Here’s what this small fund does for you:
You stop relying on credit cards, even during surprises.
You sleep better, knowing you’re ready for anything.
You build momentum, as small wins turn into bigger ones.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Save $50–$100 a week until you hit $2,000, then keep it untouched for emergencies only.
Make It Easy: Open a Betterment Cash Reserve Account to automate your savings without temptation to dip in.
3. Pay Off Debt Like It’s a Bad Ex
Debt looks charming at first, but it drains your energy, freedom, and money. sound familiar?
The sooner you cut ties, the faster you can move on with your financial life.
Here’s why it’s worth the breakup:
You free your income, instead of giving it away in interest.
You regain peace, knowing you owe no one.
You create space, to start building wealth instead of fixing mistakes.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: List your debts and use the Debt Snowball method. tackle the smallest one first and roll payments into the next.
4. Start Investing Even If You Don’t Feel Ready
Waiting until you “know everything” about investing is how people stay stuck forever.
You don’t need to be an expert. Just start small and stay consistent.
Here’s why starting early pays off:
You build wealth, thanks to the power of compounding.
You learn by doing, not by waiting.
You gain confidence, seeing your money grow over time.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open an investing account and automate a small monthly contribution, even if it’s $25.
Make It Easy: Start with Betterment for beginner-friendly investing that grows automatically.
5. Automate Your Finances (So You Don’t Rely on Motivation)
You’re busy. You don’t need another thing to remember every month.
Automation makes your money behave, even when you’re not paying attention.
Here’s why it’s a total game-changer:
You pay bills on time, saving on late fees and stress.
You build savings automatically, without needing willpower.
You stay consistent, which is the secret to financial success.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Set up auto-pay for bills and automatic transfers to savings or investments every payday.
6. Keep Separate Accounts for Saving and Spending
Mixing your money is like mixing laundry. You’ll always lose a sock (or in this case, your savings).
Keeping your funds separate helps you stay disciplined and clear about what’s what.
Here’s why this setup keeps you sane:
You stop overspending because your “fun” money is clearly defined.
You protect savings, so it doesn’t vanish with daily swipes.
You stay organized, knowing exactly what each dollar is for.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open one account for bills and another just for savings. Then treat that savings like it’s off-limits.
Make It Easy: Automate your savings transfers with Betterment Cash Reserve Account so it happens before you even think about it.
7. Put Money Into a Retirement Account Early
Retirement might feel far away, but your future self is begging you to start now.
The earlier you begin, the more your money multiplies. no magic, just math.
Here’s what happens when you start early:
You build wealth quietly, while others scramble later.
You take advantage of compound growth, which doubles your efforts over time.
You give yourself the freedom to retire comfortably or even early.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Contribute to your employer’s 401(k) or open an IRA and start with just 5% of your income.
Make It Easy: Use Boldin to automate your retirement contributions and monitor your long-term growth easily.
8. Track Where Every Dollar Goes
If you’ve ever said, “I don’t know where my money went,” this one’s for you.
Tracking your spending turns financial fog into clarity. and control.
Here’s why this habit changes everything:
You spot leaks, catching where money slips away unnoticed.
You make smarter choices because you see patterns clearly.
You feel empowered, knowing exactly how much you can save.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Write down every expense for one month, no matter how small, to see your real spending habits.
Make It Easy: Use a budgeting notebook to log expenses daily in under 2 minutes.
9. Protect Yourself With the Right Insurance
One accident, illness, or surprise bill can destroy years of progress.
The right insurance doesn’t just protect your health. itItrotects your entire financial plan.
Here’s why it’s non-negotiable:
You avoid debt by letting coverage handle the big stuff.
You protect your family from unexpected medical or life costs.
You gain peace, knowing you’re covered no matter what happens.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Review your health, car, and life insurance yearly to make sure you’re fully covered without overpaying.
Make It Easy: Compare personalized insurance quotes with Insurify to get the best value fast.
10. Avoid Impulse Shopping
That “just one little thing” at Target can quietly destroy your budget.
Impulse shopping isn’t harmless. It’s one of the biggest roadblocks to saving real money.
Here’s how it sneaks up on you:
You spend emotionally, not intentionally.
You regret it later, when the credit card bill arrives.
You lose sight of your long-term goals for a moment of fun.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Wait 24 hours before buying anything that’s not a necessity. If you still want it, it’s worth considering.
Make It Easy: Use a wishlist notepad to write down items instead of buying them immediately.
11. Learn About Money a Little Every Week
Financial confidence doesn’t come overnight. It’s built one small habit at a time.
Learning about money weekly keeps you sharp and ahead of the game.
Here’s what it does for you:
You stay informed, making smarter financial decisions.
You build confidence, realizing money isn’t as scary as it seems.
You stay motivated, watching your progress add up over time.
👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Spend 15 minutes each week reading or listening to something about money, investing, or habits.
Make It Easy: Use Blinkist to listen to short book summaries about personal finance while driving or cooking.
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).
