You are ready to control your money. After all, it is on your list of resolutions, and you are determined to take charge of your money and life.
Hours later, you are glaring at your computer, checking countless budgeting systems, tools and saving plans. Frustration oozes from every pore of your sweaty forehead, and your heart thumps with anxiety.
Sounds familiar?
Now, let me share a secret – you don’t have to be a finance genius to manage your money.
Even if you’re new to budgeting, simple, unconventional tricks can empower you to make better financial decisions without the usual stress.
These five tricks aren’t about complicated spreadsheets or deprivation. Instead, they’re designed to help you feel confident, in control, and even excited about managing your money.
Ready to get started? Let’s have fun.
1. The “Cash-Only Day” Challenge
We all live in a world where spending is easy. When did you see hard, cold cash last? If you are like me you have been swiping our card or tapping your phone.
Spending is so easy that it is easy to lose track of how much you’re spending.
The “Cash-Only Day” challenge is a simple yet powerful way to reconnect with your money.
Here’s how it works: pick one day a week to use only cash for all your purchases. No cards, no apps, no exceptions. Withdraw a set amount of money at the start of the day and commit to spending only what you have in hand.
Why does this trick work so well?
Paying with cash makes you feel the weight of every purchase—literally. When you hand over a crisp £20 note, you’re far more likely to consider whether your buy is worth it. It forces mindfulness, turning each transaction into a deliberate decision rather than a mindless swipe.
The best part?
You’ll quickly notice how much money slips through your fingers when using cards. Over time, this heightened awareness will help you make more intentional choices, even on non-cash days.
2. Track “Happy Expenses” for a Week
Traditional budgeting methods focus on cutting expenses, which can feel restrictive and demotivating.
But what if you focused only on the purchases that genuinely make you happy instead of tracking every pound spent?
Write down every expense for one week and rate how much joy it brought you on a scale of 1 to 10.
For example: “£20 dinner with friends: 9/10,” or “£5 impulse snack: 2/10.” At the end of the week, review your list. You’ll likely find patterns—certain expenses consistently bring happiness, while others barely register.
This exercise is incredibly revealing. It shifts your focus from what you can’t spend to what you should spend on. By identifying your “happy expenses,” you can adjust your budget to prioritise joy-maximising purchases while cutting back on the rest.
Knowing your money is being spent on things that truly matter to you is satisfying.
3. The “Pay Yourself First” Hack
Saving money is often an afterthought—something you’ll do if there’s anything left over at the end of the month.
But what if you flipped the script?
The “Pay Yourself First” hack is as simple as it sounds: save money before you do anything else. When your paycheque hits, transfer a set amount into a savings account. It doesn’t have to be a huge sum—even £1 a day adds up over time. The key is consistency.
Why is this method so effective? Automating your savings removes the temptation to spend that money elsewhere. It prioritises your financial well-being over impulse purchases, helping you build wealth in the background without overthinking.
Start small if you’re feeling hesitant. Set up a weekly transfer of £10 or £20 and watch your savings grow effortlessly.
As your confidence builds, you can gradually increase the amount.
4. Create an ‘I am So Worth It’ Fund
Most budgeting advice revolves around cutting indulgences, but the truth is that deprivation rarely works.
When we were in debt, I started an ‘I am so worth it’ fund. It wasn’t large, and the condition was that it must be used every month for an indulgence. My reasoning was that having fun is what makes us human. It is only problematic when we don’t properly budget for indulgences and fun.
Why does this strategy work?
Knowing you have dedicated funds for fun removes the guilt often accompanying indulgent spending.
By treating yourself intentionally, you’ll enjoy your purchases more while avoiding the stress of overspending.
And when the fund is empty? That’s your cue to wait until next month—a built-in safeguard against going overboard.
5. The “One-Thing Cutback” Rule
The thought of overhauling your entire budget can be daunting, which is why the “One-Thing Cutback” rule is such a game-changer.
Instead of trying to cut expenses across the board, focus on reducing or eliminating just one thing you don’t care much about.
Maybe it’s an unused subscription you’ve been meaning to cancel. Or perhaps that weekly takeaway doesn’t bring as much joy as you thought. Whatever it is, commit to cutting back on just one thing and redirecting those savings towards a bigger goal, like paying down debt or building an emergency fund.
This approach is so effective because it’s manageable.
Small, focused changes are easier to stick to, and their cumulative impact can be surprisingly significant over time. By simplifying the decision-making process, you’ll feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Conclusion: Learning to Control Your Money Is Easier Than You Think
Starting to control your money doesn’t have to involve complicated spreadsheets or harsh restrictions.
With these five tricks—the Cash-Only Day Challenge, tracking Happy Expenses, paying yourself first, the I am So Worth It fund, and the One-Thing Cutback—you can take control of your finances in a way that feels easy, empowering, and enjoyable.
Start small. Pick one trick today and commit to trying it for a week.
Notice how it changes your relationship with money and builds your confidence.
Start now and watch your confidence—and your savings—grow!