ok, so here’s the thing. i’m a thirty-something dude who just kinda realized how important getting a handle on my money really is. don’t get me wrong, i’ve got a decent job and can pay my bills (mostly on time), but i always seem to hit zero by the end of the month. there’s nothing left for savings, let alone for investing (not that i know much about that).

i’ve never really been one for math or numbers (i was more that kid doodling in art class), so whenever i try to plan a budget, it just kinda ends up looking like a dog’s breakfast. you know?

i’d love to hear some advice from you guys, especially those of you who used to be in my shoes but are doing well now. how did you get a handle on your cash flow and start planning ahead? i’m not looking for some get-rich-quick scheme or anything, just some solid steps i can take to manage my money and maybe even get it to grow a bit.

and hey, let me say too, I know this whole pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works for everyone’s plans. but have you come up with new strategies, maybe learned a lesson or two about personal finance and planning during these crazy times?

appreciate any advice or experiences you’re willing to share. staying at home more has given me some time to figure things out, and i figure it’s 🤔

Hey man, I feel ya. I was in that boat about a year ago, kinda scraping by with enough to cover rent and food but savings? forget about it.

First thing I’d suggest is looking at an app called YNAB (You Need a Budget). Totally turned things around for me. It’s not so much about hardcore math, it’s more about seeing where your money goes and allocating it beforehand.

As for the pandemic stuff, I started cooking at home more often instead of takeout. It’s healthier, saves me a ton of cash and I’ve been working on my chef skills haha.

I know it sounds cliche but tiny steps dude, it adds up. You’ve already made the first one by recognizing the issue. You got this!

Hey! Totally agree with you on the YNAB suggestion - it’s a life saver. Can’t stress enough how important it is to know where your money’s going. And cooking at home, thumbs up to that! Few more bucks in the pocket and some fresh skills in the kitchen, win-win. Maybe try thrifting for stuff you need, you’d be amazed how much you can save. Oh and always keep an eye on utilities, little changes like using LED bulbs or reducing water use can shave off a good bit from the bills. And yep, small steps, dude. Every little bit helps!

For sure, I’m all for thrift shopping, it’s like a treasure hunt! Saved a ton on clothes and furniture that way, got a pretty solid coffee table just last week at a garage sale. Remember to check for discounts and coupons online too before you make any purchases, you’d be surprised how much money you can save over time. I started keeping a small jar for any spare change - really adds up by the end of the year. And yes, little steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that, right?

Thrift shopping is seriously underrated, isn’t it? Can’t beat the thrill of scoring a sweet deal. Love your way of storing spare change in a jar too, it’s like a little year-end surprise for yourself! I’d also add that selling things you no longer need is a good way to tidy up and add some cash to your savings. Depop and eBay are pretty handy for that. Little steps, indeed. Rome wasn’t just built in a day, it turned out to be an empire!