08/28/2026
Tip #7
It’s Time to Simplify Your Spending
While not a financial analyst, there are extraordinary tools available to help simplify an area of life that may cause frustration, fear, worry, concern and some celebration. Your finances.
To begin the steps of simplifying your spending, start small and recognize your 6:
• Who are you spending on? - yourself, your family, charities, donations
o How frequently?
• What are you spending? – cash, credit card, debit card, one-click purchase
o How frequently?
• Where are you spending? – restaurants, grocery stores, fast food, utilities, clothing shops, bookstores, online shopping, home décor, prescriptions, etc.)
o How frequently?
• Why are you spending? – out of need, want, preparation, distraction, curiosity, something you saw on an advertisement, to replace something lost or damaged, to improve health, to reduce pain, etc.
o How frequently?
• When are you spending – during the day, while scrolling or when watching television, when out with loved ones
o How frequently?
These top 6 may be something reviewed over the course of a week or, ideally, the course of a few months. As you review, look for patterns and trends, including subscription services that may have been forgotten.
The next step towards simplifying your finances is to regularly review your bank statement(s). If what you see does not align with your goals, setting a budget may be the next step.
