When I start working with a new client, one of the very first things we do is take an honest, clear-eyed look at their income and expenses.
It sounds simple, but it’s almost always a revelation.
In fact, I often hear something like: “Wow, I had no idea I was spending that much on _____.”
But here’s the thing: This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness.
Let me ask you: Do you know how much you actually spend in a month?
No shame if the answer is no.
Most people don’t.
We’re busy. We’re juggling work, family, errands, meals, and mental bandwidth. And the truth is, life moves fast.
But if you don’t know your numbers, you’re flying blind.
If You Want to Lose Weight, You Track Your Food. If You Want to Build Strength, You Track Your Workouts.
Why should your money be any different?
Tracking builds awareness. Awareness builds intention. Intention creates results.
Unfortunately, financial awareness isn’t something most of us are practicing.
Studies show that the average adult spends less than two minutes a day on their finances. That’s just one hour and 12 minutes a month. Compare that to 85+ hours a month the average American spends watching TV.
And yet, nearly 50% of Americans say they worry about money every single day.
Let that sink in: We’re stressed about money, but we’re not spending any time actually working on it.
There Are Holes in the Boat
When we don’t check in, little things slip through the cracks.
Subscriptions we forgot about. A streaming service that raised its price. Food delivery fees that quietly add up. Co-pays that pile up over the months.
These are the slow leaks. They don’t capsize the boat immediately, but they keep you from ever gaining real momentum.
I recently did this exercise for our own family and realized we were consistently spending more on medical expenses than we planned. Small things—a blood draw here, a co-pay there, stitches at Children’s Hospital (for the 3rd time)—but they added up fast. We adjusted our budget to allocate $800/month toward medical expenses. Now, if we don’t use all of it, the rest rolls into a savings bucket.
That one adjustment made our cash flow feel lighter and more aligned.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect. It Just Has to Be Honest.
You don’t need to obsessively track every penny or make color-coded spreadsheets (unless that’s your thing).
But you do need to look.
Here are three simple ways to start:
1. Run a spending report. Most credit card companies and banks offer a year-end summary. Start there.
2. Look at your top 5 categories. Where is the bulk of your spending going? Are you okay with that?
3. Reflect, don’t judge. You’re not doing this to feel bad. You’re doing it to feel clear.
Your Weekly Money Check-In (15–20 minutes)
I want to challenge you to block out 20 minutes a week to look at your finances, establishing a routine that builds clarity over time. It should be the same time every week. If you share finances with a partner, they should be there too.
Ask yourself:
- What’s coming up this week that I need to prepare for?
- What happened last week that felt like a win?
- What unexpected expense showed up?
- How do I feel about where my money went?
You don’t need to track every line item. But you do need to keep showing up.
Final Thought: Pay Attention, Change Everything
Money is not one-size-fits-all. It’s deeply personal.
But if there’s one universal truth, it’s this: What you track, you can change.
If you want to feel more in control of your money in 2026, start with awareness.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be honest.
Let me know if you need help getting started with your own audit or building a weekly rhythm.
I’ll be here—with encouragement, not judgment. Plus, I do love a good spreadsheet!
