The Money Glow

Ever looked at your bank account and thought, Wait… where did all my money go? One minute you’re feeling rich on payday, and the next, you’re surviving on instant noodles, wondering if your UberEats orders and “just one more coffee” moments betrayed you. Spoiler alert: They did.

Tracking your expenses is like detective work—you’re uncovering the mystery of where your hard-earned cash disappears. The good news? You don’t need a magnifying glass or a PhD in finance to do it. Let’s dive into some of the best tools and methods to keep your spending in check without feeling like you’re in budget prison.

1. The Classic Pen & Paper Method 📝

Old-school? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. Sometimes, just writing things down makes you more mindful of your spending. Grab a notebook and jot down everything you spend for a month—you’ll be shocked at how those small expenses add up!

✅ Best for: People who love journaling, lists, and a good excuse to buy fancy stationery.

2. Spreadsheets – DIY Budgeting Like a Boss 📊

Excel and Google Sheets aren’t just for work—they can be your budgeting best friend. Create a simple sheet with categories like food, rent, entertainment, and those “oops, I did it again” impulse buys. Use formulas to total things up automatically.

✅ Best for: People who love customisation and playing around with numbers.

3. Budgeting Apps – Let Tech Do the Heavy Lifting 📱

If manually tracking your expenses sounds like a chore, let an app do the work for you! Here are some top contenders:

🔹 Mint – Links to your bank account and categorizes spending automatically. It even sends “chill out on shopping” alerts (rude but helpful).
🔹 YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Focuses on giving every dollar a job. Great if you want to be more intentional with your money.
🔹 PocketGuard – Tells you how much “spendable” money you have after bills and savings. No more guessing!
🔹 Goodbudget – Uses the envelope system without requiring actual envelopes. Perfect for cash flow control.

✅ Best for: People who love automation and need a digital assistant to track spending.

4. The Envelope System – Cash-Only Discipline 💵

If you struggle with overspending, this old-school trick forces you to stick to a budget. Withdraw cash, divide it into labeled envelopes (groceries, fun, bills, etc.), and spend only what’s inside. When it’s gone, it’s gone!

✅ Best for: People who need a visual, hands-on way to control spending.

5. The “No Budget” Budget – Just Set Limits 🚦

For those who don’t want to track every single transaction, set spending limits instead. For example, “I won’t spend more than $200 on eating out this month.” Then, check your bank statement weekly to make sure you’re staying within your limits.

✅ Best for: People who want a simple, stress-free approach.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

The best method is the one you’ll actually stick to. If you love tech, go for an app. If writing things down helps you stay accountable, try pen and paper. And if you need hard limits, the envelope system might be your best bet.

At the end of the day, tracking expenses isn’t about restricting yourself—it’s about taking control of your money so you can spend guilt-free and still save for the things that truly matter. Now, go find where your money is hiding! 💸🚀