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For years, budgeting wasn’t even on my radar. But after a major life change—divorce, in my case—I found myself buried in debt and unable to make ends meet, with three children to feed. I knew I had to do something about it, but I honestly didn’t know where to start. It was a harsh wake-up call that forced me to face how little I knew about my spending habits. Taking that first step into budgeting wasn’t easy, but the progress I made in just one month was life-changing. Now, I want to share my journey – including mistakes, wins, and the useful tools – because I know how overwhelming it feels at the beginning, and it definitely takes more than one month to rebuild that momentum. If you are in a similar place, just know that: You’re not alone, and I promise, you can turn things around too.
1. Hidden Subscriptions Were Draining My Money
One of the biggest shocks during my first budgeting month was discovering that I’d been paying for services I wasn’t even using. For example, I found out I had been getting charged $38.99 monthly for a subscription with care.com for almost two years, which I had never used once. Unfortunately, I’m not alone–according to a study by C+R research, nearly 42% of people forget they are still paying for a monthly recurring subscription(s) that they no longer use. The average consumer wastes $133 per month on unused subscriptions.
The first thing I did was to go through my bank statements line by line, canceling every unused or unnecessary subscription. When necessary, I even called customer service to double-check that the cancellation went through–and let me tell you, it felt good! However, it is not a good long-term solution, because I subscribed to new services later and ended up not using them. To solve this, I used Trim–a tool at no cost that helps identify and cancel unnecessary subscriptions automatically.
Pro Tip: Avoid these common financial drains by using Trim, and consider tools like YNAB to track and manage recurring expenses efficiently.
Lesson learned: It’s essential to review your subscriptions and services regularly. Even those small recurring charges can quickly add up. In my case, catching it in time is important to ensure that they align with my actual needs.
2. Cutting Unused Services: My $840 Lesson
Here’s another painful one. While reviewing my bills, I noticed that I had been paying over $7 a month for a glass collection service on my utility bill for ten years that I never used. That’s almost $840 wasted on something that provided zero value! Shockingly, according to a report by West Monroe, 84% of consumers underestimate the amount they spend on subscriptions or services. This experience made me vigilant about reviewing my services and making sure that every dollar spent aligns with my current needs.
3. Adjusting the Budget When Things Go Off Track
Even though I created a budget at the beginning of the month, I quickly realized that things didn’t go exactly as planned. I ended up overspending on groceries because I forgot to plan for a few social events, and I had to reallocate money from my entertainment budget.
Instead of beating myself up, I learned that it’s okay to adjust as you go. Budgets are flexible tools—not rigid rules. Now, I make monthly check-ins part of my routine to tweak things along the way.
4. Building Small Financial Habits That Stick
The biggest challenge I faced was sticking to daily tracking habits. At first, it felt tedious to record every transaction and categorize each expense. But as the month progressed, I noticed that tracking my spending made me more mindful of my purchases. Study shows that people who track their expenses with a budget reduce impulse spending and have less budgeting regret.
I also paused before buying a fancy coffee maker I didn’t really need, and instead, I added that money to my emergency savings. This small shift in mindset—thinking before spending—was one of the most valuable habits I developed.
Tools That Made My Budgeting Journey Easier
To stay on top of my finances, I tried out a few budgeting tools that really helped me stay organized. Here are the ones I found most useful:
- YNAB (You Need a Budget) – This app gave me a clear picture of my spending and made budgeting less stressful.
- Monthly Budget Planner – Having a physical planner kept me on track and made budgeting feel more intentional.
Find budget planners on Amazon
My Top Takeaways from the First Month of Budgeting
- Review your subscriptions and bills regularly to avoid wasting money.
- It’s okay to adjust your budget throughout the month—stay flexible.
- Tracking expenses builds mindfulness, which helps prevent impulse purchases.
- The right tools make a difference—find what works best for you and stick with it.
Final Thoughts: Budgeting Is About Progress, Not Perfection
This first month of budgeting has been an eye-opener. It’s not just about cutting expenses—it’s about being intentional with money and learning along the way. I’ve made mistakes, but the important thing is that I’m moving in the right direction.
If you’re thinking about starting your budgeting journey, my advice is simple:
- Start small, track everything, and don’t be afraid to adjust. Budgeting is a journey, and every small win counts!
Moving Forward: What’s Next on My Finance Journey?
Now it has been half a year since I started my first month of budgeting. I am not saving a whole lot but I am making ends meet. I’m excited to explore new financial topics—like investing, retirement planning, and building long-term savings. I’ll continue documenting my progress and sharing what I learn along the way. If you’re on a similar journey, let’s grow together!