You’ve probably heard it—I’ve even recommended it myself as a tip for those trying to gain control of their finances. Be intentional with your money. But what does that mean?
It’s a mindful and purposeful way of using your money to move further along in your financial journey. Ultimately, it’s about being aware of your spending and saving habits and making choices that align not only with your personal means right now, but with your values and financial goals for the future as well.
A daily check-in with your finances is a great way to put this into practice. So, how do you get started? First, begin with minor adjustments—small changes, practiced consistently, can add up to a whole new direction!
Here are five daily money habits to help get your finances on the right track:
- Track your spending. Doing this every day will help you stay within the budget you’ve set for yourself. Living within your means is one of the most important daily financial habits you can practice in life.
- Save. Save. Save. Saving can be a daily habit too. Whether it’s making a deposit directly to your savings account, cutting down on your coffee shop visits or packing your own lunch, it all contributes to more money to spend on your financial goals.
- Check for fraud. Take a minute or two each morning to check your account balances and confirm purchases and expenses. Not only does this give you an opportunity to understand exactly how much money you have on a daily basis, it also provides a chance to quickly identify any unauthorized charges.
- Review your short- and long-term goals. Remind yourself why you are making these sacrifices. Think of these goals every time you make a financial decision—staying connected to what your money is doing, and how that affects your goals, will help you be more intentional with your daily financial decisions.
- Continue learning. Spend five minutes a day learning something about money management. Look for information online, check out financial books from the library or explore the quick reads on Banzai.
You may wonder how 5–10 minutes a day can make that much of a difference in your finances—but if you focus on small, consistent steps, you’re sure to see forward movement. And remember, you can always tweak your plan along the way. Find what works for you and your lifestyle and lean into it for success.