Monthly Money Habits That Actually Stick
Part of an ongoing series: simple rhythms, lasting change
This week, I’m continuing my multi-part series on simple money habits that help you reach your goals faster and feel more confident managing your money — without spreadsheets, feeling ashamed for not having figured it all out already, or restrictive, hard-to-follow systems. The goal is to make your financial life easier, not harder.
So far, I’ve covered two small money habits that make a big difference, the power of small daily habits, and weekly habits that actually feel good. If you missed any of these posts, just click the link to the post above to catch up — each one stands on its own, but together they produce visible results, and there will be no more questioning your money habits. By the end of this series, you’ll have an entire blueprint to follow for financial health and be making some serious progress.
In last week’s post, I promised two things:
A flexible structure for managing your money in place of a restrictive budget, and
A powerful way to shift out of scarcity — even if money feels tight.
Let’s get into both.
1. Bucket your money: the life-changing magic of simplicity
Traditional budgets are packed with dozens of line items, requiring constant tracking and juggling. It's time-consuming and easy to fall behind when you have to track every penny. It’s also restricting, which is why many people give up.
Bucketing, on the other hand, allows you to create a personalized framework for making values-based financial decisions. It is a simple yet empowering method for managing expenses, reducing debt, increasing savings, and funding important life goals.
Income flows into three accounts referred to as “buckets.” Each bucket holds money that has a specific use or purpose. While each bucket is different, all three buckets are interrelated. Once this cash flow system is set-up and tweaked based on your individual preferences, priorities and circumstances, the system goes into autopilot and detailed tracking of expenditures is not required. The result is a simple decision framework that brings clarity and purpose to your finances.
Try this:
Set up three accounts — one for Fixed Expenses, one for Variable Expenses (including monthly fun money!), and one for Future Needs and Wants. Then set up automatic transfers into each of these accounts based on your totals for each bucket category when you get paid (or when you pay yourself, if you’re self-employed). You’ll instantly have more clarity around where your money is going, never be caught short again, and be surprised how easy it is to manage your money.
2. Give something — and see what shifts
Scarcity mindset is sneaky. Even if you’re doing “fine” on paper, it can whisper things like:
“There’s never enough.”
“I should wait until I have more.”
“If I give, I might not have what I need.”
Giving is one of the most powerful ways to interrupt that story.
Giving, when done with a mindset of gratitude — whether it’s money, time, food, or supplies — reinforces a different truth: I have enough to share. That shift can quiet the noise in your brain and reconnect you to a deeper sense of abundance.
Giving can also boost a sense of interconnectedness and help you recognize that you’re making a meaningful impact in the world.
Try this:
Pick one thing to give this month — a small donation, your time, or a couple of extra pantry items for a community fridge. Then notice how it feels. What comes up for you? That’s valuable information.
Wrap Up
These monthly money habits are about simplifying your money practices and adjusting your mindset.
By adopting a simpler, more flexible values-based money management structure, and by making giving a regular part of your life, you create a financial life that’s not only sustainable but deeply rewarding.
Next week, I’ll share two quarterly habits — learn how to reframe your relationship with money, and how to avoid lifestyle creep — so you can make sure your money is working for the life you want to build.
Want help setting up your buckets or figuring out how much to put in each one?
Book a Budget Review session and walk away with your custom bucket system ready to go. It’s just $125 for a 1:1 personalized one-hour session for a limited time. Click here to book or learn more.