You’ve Started Tracking Your Spending… Now What?
You did it! You tracked your spending for a whole month — that’s a huge step.
But now that you have all this data, what do you actually do with it?
First, don’t judge yourself. Feeling guilty about past choices won’t help you move forward. Instead, think of this as shining a light on your money habits, allowing you to make more intentional decisions.
Tracking is step one. Understanding what you see is the second step. And then we start shaping it into a plan that works for you.
Step 1: Take the Easy Wins
Start with the low-hanging fruit: unused subscriptions and memberships.
Still paying for an app you forgot to cancel?
Haven’t been to the gym in months?
Signed up for a free trial 3 months ago and now paying $14.99/month for an app you forgot to delete?
Take five minutes and cancel them. Yes, even if it means calling and talking to a real person.
If you might still use it but aren’t sure, set a challenge: “If I don’t use this at least 3 times in the next month, I’ll cancel.” Put a reminder on your calendar so future-you can follow through.
Step 2: Look at the Big Picture
Now, group your spending into big categories: housing, food, transportation, kids/pets, lifestyle, etc.
Sometimes, just seeing the numbers helps explain why things feel so tight.
Paying 20% of your take-home pay to daycare? No wonder it feels like you can’t get ahead.
Spending 40% on housing? That’s on the high side — but maybe worth it if you love your home or neighborhood. If not, it might be time to think about downsizing or moving to free up more money for other priorities.
This isn’t about shaming your choices — it’s about asking, “Is this worth it to me?”
Step 3: Dig Into the Details
Food
Food costs have increased significantly in the past few years. So you aren’t alone if you are a bit shocked by how much you spend here. However, because food is technically a necessity, it can be easy to overlook places where our “food” expenses are really more about convenience or preference than survival.
Are most of your dollars going to groceries, takeout, or daily coffee runs?
Are you shopping at stores where prices are higher because you value organic/local products?
Is convenience (takeout, meal kits) the priority — and does that align with your other financial goals?
There’s no wrong answer here. It’s just about making sure your spending matches your values.
Lifestyle, Clothes & Self-Care
Your spending should reflect what you actually care about. If high-quality skincare or fresh flowers every week bring you joy — that’s okay!
But take a look back at last month’s purchases:
Are you still happy about them?
Or do you barely remember what you bought?
If most of those expenses don’t feel memorable or meaningful, you might want to shift how much you’re spending in this category.
Kids & Pets
Kids (and fur babies) are expensive. You probably can’t lower childcare costs much, but toys, clothes, sports, and activities can add up fast.
Ask yourself:
Is this a need or just a nice-to-have?
Am I spending here because I truly value it — or because I feel pressure from other parents?
Is this purchase worth delaying other goals (like saving for retirement or taking a vacation)?
These aren’t judgment questions — they’re clarity questions.
Step 4: Plan for the “Surprise” Expenses
By now, you’ve probably noticed some irregular expenses — car repairs, birthday gifts, annual insurance premiums. They might feel like one-offs, but every month tends to have something.
Instead of being surprised, plan for them.
Make a list of all annual or irregular expenses you’ve seen so far.
Build a small buffer into your monthly budget to cover them.
If you’ve noticed about $1,000/month of “random” expenses, aim to keep your regular spending $1,000 below your take-home pay. That way, you’re never scrambling.
Step 5: Spot the Patterns
Look for what stands out:
Is there one category that feels way higher than you expected?
What might be driving that spending?
For example:
If takeout is blowing your budget, maybe the real problem is you’re too exhausted to cook. Could frozen meals or meal prep services help?
If you’re buying a lot of new clothes, is it about confidence, boredom, or convenience?
Most spending is driven by emotion. Understanding what’s behind the purchase helps you decide if there’s a better, cheaper, or more meaningful way to meet that need.
Step 6: Identify Your Opportunity Costs
This is where it gets exciting.
What do you wish you had more money for? A dream vacation? A house renovation? A career break?
Once you know your “why,” cutting back in certain areas becomes easier.
“I’m skipping takeout tonight because I want to take that trip next summer.”
“I’m saying no to this extra subscription so I can hire a house cleaner.”
Saving for the sake of saving isn’t very motivating — but saving for something that lights you up? That’s powerful.
Step 7: Get Support If You Need It
If this feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Working with a financial coach can make this process easier — and help you reach your goals faster.
If you want help turning your spending insights into a real plan, schedule a call with me and let’s build a strategy that works for your life.
