Let’s be real—saving money isn’t about depriving yourself or living like a minimalist monk. It’s about making sure every dollar you spend is actually bringing you happiness and moving you toward your goals. So today, we’re flipping the script on saving.
Instead of cutting everything out, we’re going to focus on spending in alignment with your values and making your money work for you.
Let’s get into it.
1. Track Your Happiness Spending
Before you even think about cutting back, we need to figure out where your money is actually going and how much joy it’s bringing you.
Grab a spreadsheet (or a notebook if you’re old school) and create four columns:
1️⃣ Name of the expense
2️⃣ How much you’re spending per month
3️⃣ Your happiness level (scale of 1-10)
4️⃣ Action: MORE, LESS, or CUT
Now, go through last month’s expenses and ask yourself: How much happiness did this purchase bring me?
8 or higher? Write MORE – You can spend more here. These are the things truly adding value to your life.
Between 5-7? Write LESS – Cut back but don’t eliminate.
Under 5? Write CUT – These expenses are draining your bank account without adding joy. Time to let them go.
💡 Example: If that $100 subscription box is a 4 on your happiness scale, it’s gotta go. But if your $50 monthly Pilates (oops, I mean TONE🔥) class is a 10, that stays in the budget.
This simple exercise brings awareness to your spending so saving becomes effortless—because you’re only spending on what truly matters.
2. Negotiate Your Bills
One of my favorite ways to save money is by paying less for the things I have to pay for anyway. This keeps your lifestyle the same, but your bank account fuller.
Here’s the deal: Companies will lower your bills if you ask. They just won’t do it voluntarily.
🚀 Action Steps:
Call your cell phone provider, internet company, and insurance provider and ask for lower rates.
Check if you’re paying for features you don’t even use.
Ask for loyalty discounts or promotions.
I break down exactly what to say and sample scripts in my next freebie at glitteru.com/money—go grab it!
3. Stop Using Cash or Debit
This one might sound wild, but hear me out.
Using cash makes it way too easy to lose track of spending. Using debit exposes your money to unnecessary risks (fraud, overdraft fees, and, in some cases, even transaction fees).
🛑 Instead:
Get a cash-back credit card and use it for everything—bills, groceries, gas.
Pay it off in full every single month (non-negotiable).
Collect cash back for money you were already going to spend.
💡 You could be earning thousands of dollars a year just by making this one switch. Free money, babe.
4. Transfer Your Credit Card Debt to 0% Interest
If you’re paying interest on credit card debt, you’re literally giving away money.
📌 Here’s what to do:
Transfer your balance to a 0% interest balance transfer card.
Some of these cards offer 0% interest for up to 18 months, meaning your payments actually go toward your balance, not just interest.
Pay it off aggressively during that period and break free from the hamster wheel of debt death.
5. Automate Your Savings
Saving shouldn’t be something you remember to do—it should be something that happens automatically.
🎯 Here’s how to make it effortless:
Set up an automatic transfer from your checking to savings every payday. Even $20 a week adds up.
Use an app like Acorns or Digit to round up purchases and stash the spare change.
If your job offers 401(k) matching, make sure you’re getting that FREE MONEY.
The less you have to think about saving, the easier it is.
Final Thoughts
Saving money isn’t about restriction—it’s about spending in a way that brings you the most joy and value.
When you start tracking happiness per dollar, negotiating lower bills, using credit cards wisely, getting rid of interest payments, and automating savings, you’ll build wealth without feeling like you’re missing out.
Now, go take control of your money.
And if you want my free scripts for negotiating bills, head over to glitteru.com/money!
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