Money is like health, it is hard to always give it our full attention all the time but consistency in aggregate pays off. You reined it in fast and that is something to be celebrated.
I hear you Darnell. My system is to use a spreadsheet that I populate with downloaded transaction data. (Like you, I try to keep all my expenses on my credit card, which is a 2% rewards card offered by my bank. Then I can download bank and credit card transactions together.) I can always tell how vigilant I've been based on how many weeks have passed since the last download. The longer it's been, the harder it is to catch up. A vicious cycle. And figuring out the right way to think about those lumpy expenses like the tax filing charge, auto bills, and vacations is always tricky.
Money is like health, it is hard to always give it our full attention all the time but consistency in aggregate pays off. You reined it in fast and that is something to be celebrated.
Thank you, Deidre. I really appreciate your encouragement. This all can feel overwhelming at times, so your kind words and support truly mean a lot.
I hear you Darnell. My system is to use a spreadsheet that I populate with downloaded transaction data. (Like you, I try to keep all my expenses on my credit card, which is a 2% rewards card offered by my bank. Then I can download bank and credit card transactions together.) I can always tell how vigilant I've been based on how many weeks have passed since the last download. The longer it's been, the harder it is to catch up. A vicious cycle. And figuring out the right way to think about those lumpy expenses like the tax filing charge, auto bills, and vacations is always tricky.
It's tough, but you're staying on top of it!
I like your download system. That’s really smart. Thank you for sharing your strategy.