Two Small Money Habits That Make a Big Difference
Have you tried to improve your money habits but ended up overwhelmed? Maybe you tried to do everything at once and didn’t get very far. You’re not alone.
When you're ready to build better money habits, how do you know which are the right ones—the ones that will have the most impact? It's all too easy to call out what we perceive as our bad habits. But knowing what good habits to start with? That part can be tricky.
The truth is, you don’t need to do a full financial overhaul all at once to feel more in control. Research shows that small, bite-sized changes are the key to real progress. When those new habits create visible results, your confidence grows—and that’s what keeps the momentum going.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a few practical money habits at a time—starting with the highest-impact ones. These are simple changes that can make a big difference.
Let’s start with two you can put in place right away:
1. Pay Yourself First (Automatically)
This is one of the most important things you can do for your finances—because automating payments to Future You means you’re consistently making progress toward your goals, not just reacting to bills.
Set up an automatic monthly transfer from your checking account into your emergency fund—and into other savings buckets, like a vacation fund or a future car fund. And don’t forget your “walk-away” fund—the one that lets you walk away from a bad job, a bad landlord, or anything else that’s holding you back.
It doesn’t have to be a big number. Just something consistent, every month. One tip—It’s best to keep your emergency fund at a separate bank—out of sight, out of mind, but there when you need it.
2. Set Up Recurring Payments
You don’t need missed payments and late fees (which will negatively affect your credit score) or “oops I forgot” stress in your life. Set up recurring payments for all your regular bills and give your brain a break. Some companies even offer small discounts for autopay.
And just as important—set up recurring deposits into sinking funds for future non-monthly expenses (vet bills, oil changes, annual memberships, holiday gifts—that sort of thing). That way, when those expenses pop up, you’re ready. No scrambling. No throwing everything off track.
What’s Next:
Next week, I’ll share two daily money habits—quick, doable actions that help you stay on track without a ton of effort. Then we’ll move on to monthly, quarterly, and annual habits.
By the end of this 5-week series, you’ll have visible proof that these small changes are working—and you’ll feel more confident and in control of your finances.
So go ahead—dig in and get started. If you'd like personalized help applying these changes to your finances, book a free call and let’s chat.