I used to think being “good with money” was a special talent I just didn't have.
For years it felt like a foreign language. I’d look at my bank account with a sense of dread. The numbers just never seemed to add up the way I wanted. It felt overwhelming like a problem too big to fix. If you’ve ever felt that way you are not alone. I’ve been there.
Here’s something I learned on my journey. Getting a handle on my finances felt a lot like when I decided to lose over 110 pounds and quit my bad habits. It wasn’t one giant, heroic leap. It was a thousand small intentional choices that added up over time. It was about building simple habits not becoming a financial genius overnight.
These habits aren’t about getting rich quick. They are about finding peace. They are about building a stable foundation so you can focus on what truly matters in life.
Here are 10 simple habits that helped me change my relationship with money for good.
1. Give First, Not Last
This might sound backward to some but it’s the most important step for me. Before I pay bills or buy groceries I set aside money to give. As an Orthodox Christian this is my tithe a way of honoring God with the first and best of what He has given me. It completely changes your mindset. Instead of clinging to your money you see yourself as a steward of God’s blessings. It reminds me that He is my provider not my bank account. This single habit brings more peace than any other.
2. Pay Yourself Next
After you give to God and your church pay yourself. Before you pay Netflix or your phone bill move a set amount of money into a separate savings account. Make it automatic. This is you telling yourself that your future is a priority. It doesn’t have to be a huge amount. Start with $20 a paycheck if you need to. The amount isn’t as important as the habit.
3. Know Your Numbers (Without Obsessing)
You can’t fix a problem you don’t understand. Once a week take five minutes to look at your bank account. That’s it. Just look. See what came in and what went out. Don’t judge yourself or feel guilty. Just be aware. This isn’t about creating a massive spreadsheet with 50 categories. It’s about replacing fear and ignorance with simple awareness.
4. The 24-Hour Rule
This habit has saved me thousands of dollars. If I want to buy something non-essential over a certain amount say $50 I wait 24 hours. I put the item back on the shelf or leave it in the online cart. After a day the impulse is usually gone. If I still truly need it or want it I can make a clear-headed decision to buy it. Most of the time I forget all about it.
5. Automate Everything You Can
Willpower is a limited resource. Don’t rely on it. Instead make your bank do the work for you. I have automatic transfers set up for everything important.
- Giving goes out on the 1st of the month.
- Savings gets transferred the day I get paid.
- Bills are on auto-pay.
This removes the temptation to spend that money. It also frees up mental energy. I’m not constantly worrying if I remembered to pay the electric bill.
6. Create Simple "Money Buckets"
Complex budgets often fail because they are too hard to maintain. I keep it simple. I think of my money in a few main "buckets" or categories.
- Giving
- Savings
- Core Bills (housing, utilities, food)
- Everything Else (gas, personal spending, fun)
By keeping the categories broad I don't get bogged down in tracking every single coffee. I just need to know if my "Everything Else" bucket is getting low.
7. Celebrate Your Financial Wins
When I was losing weight I celebrated small milestones. I didn't celebrate losing 5 pounds with a pizza. I celebrated by enjoying a long walk or buying a new shirt that fit better. Do the same with your money. When you pay off a small debt or hit your first $500 in savings celebrate. Cook a nice meal at home. Take your family to the park. The goal is to create positive feelings around good financial behavior. It builds momentum and makes you want to keep going.
8. Use Cash for Fun Money
This is an old-school tip that works wonders. Decide how much you can spend on "fun" things for the week or month. It might be for coffee dining out or hobbies. Withdraw that amount in cash. When the cash is gone it’s gone. It’s a very real physical limit on your spending that a credit card just can't replicate.
9. Talk About Money
Money loves to hide in the dark where shame and fear live. Bring it into the light. If you’re married talk openly and honestly with your spouse. You are a team. If you are single find a trusted friend or mentor you can talk to. You’d be surprised how many people share the same struggles. Just talking about it can lift a huge weight.
10. Find Contentment Not Just More
Our world is constantly screaming that we need more. A bigger house a faster car the newest phone. But peace isn’t found in more. It’s found in enough. I learned that true wealth is not having what you want but wanting what you have. It's a daily practice of gratitude for God’s provision. Financial health isn’t the ultimate goal. It’s a tool. It’s a tool that helps us serve our families our communities and God more effectively. It creates stability so we can focus on our true purpose.
Managing money is a skill you can learn. It's a set of habits you can build one day at a time. It's not about perfection. It’s about progress.
So let me ask you. What is one small step you can take today?
Maybe it’s setting up your first automatic transfer to savings. Maybe it’s just looking at your bank account without flinching. Or maybe it’s deciding to try the 24-hour rule on your next purchase.
Whatever it is take that first step. You can do this.
