5 steps to manage your spending
Careful spending is where financial health begins
See how to help smooth out your spending habits, pay bills on time, and increase your ability to save
Financial health starts with careful spending.
Purposeful spending is the key to living within your means, avoiding unnecessary debt, and building financial stability.
These five steps can help you save more and work toward your bigger financial goals.
Step 1: Map your income and spending patterns
To get started on the journey to effectively manage your spending, you’ll want to develop an exact picture of where your money is coming from and where it’s going.
First, understand your income sources. Are you paid bi-weekly or monthly? Do you have unusual spikes or dips in income? Is it coming from one source, regularly, or multiple sources?
Determining your income may help you to smooth out the highs and lows of your monthly cashflow so that you can consistently pay your bills in full and on time.
Next, see where your money is going by tracking all your expenses, such as:
- Rent, credit card, and loan payments
- Groceries, streaming subscriptions, and medications
- Lunches, movie tickets, and rideshares
This step can be made easier with My Spending Report, an automated way to track your income, payments, and withdrawals for a better understanding of your finances.
View My Spending Report
Step 2: Budget for “essentials” and cut back on “extras” List
If you need help to manage your spending, start by finding ways to spend less.
The goal here is to spend less than you make so that you can build the power to save.
That may sound difficult but creating a simple budget can help.
Once you’ve mapped your current income and expenses, split the expenses into two categories —“essentials” and “extras.”
Essentials are payments for things that are required for you to work, commute, and live. These might include rent, food, loan payments, and insurance.
Extras are those items in your budget you can live without, especially the small spending that can add up. Cutting back here can help prevent overspending.
Consider extra expenses like:
- Subscriptions, memberships, and shopping
- Restaurants, food delivery, and electronics
- Concerts, sporting events, and vacations
My Budget Watch is a helpful tool to figure out areas where you may be able to spend less.
View Budget Watch
Step 3: Enroll in Direct Deposit and turn on activity alerts
Wells Fargo has multiple tools designed to help you automate, create good habits, and stay informed.
We make it easier to get access to your income and track the activity related to your account.
If you receive a consistent income, enroll in Direct Deposit. This is a convenient, safe, and automated way to deposit your income into your Wells Fargo checking or savings account.
Plus, with Direct Deposit you’ll automatically enjoy Early Pay Day, which may give you access to your eligible direct deposits up to two days early.
Next, turn on activity alerts to track all your spending and account activity. These prompt notifications can help you to make smarter spending decisions in real-time.
These email, text, or push notification alerts can remind you about a low account balance, recent deposits, and upcoming payments due. They may also help you avoid late fees and overdrafts.
Learn about alerts
Step 4: Automate with Bill Pay and never miss a payment
Online Bill Pay is a free and easier way to pay your bills on time, make automatic recurring payments, and receive online eBills from the billers who offer that service.
By paying your bills online, you’ll be able to easily track your payment history, choose payment dates, and quickly change or cancel payments as needed.
It’s a great way to know who’s getting paid and when, and we can even send you email alerts when payments are sent.
Try Online Bill Pay
Step 5: Practice smart shopping habits
Controlling your spending requires awareness.
Are you often tempted to buy on impulse? Is the convenience of online shopping too much to resist at times? Are you more likely to overspend when using a credit card?
Knowing your triggers will make it easier to stick to a budget and minimize your exposure to situations that lead to overspending.
Developing smart shopping habits is key. Before you buy, ask yourself if the purchase is something you really need. Is it an essential item or something extra that you can live without? Can you pause on hitting ‘purchase’ and come back to it tomorrow, to see if you really need it?
Remember that controlling your spending is a habit that takes time to develop. Don’t be discouraged if you slip up occasionally. Stay committed to your goals and you’ll gain more control over time.
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You’re on your way to better managing your spending and saving. Up next:
How to create a financial plan
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Putting it all together in a budget
Discover how to create a budget in five steps.
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How to track your spending
These simple techniques can help you understand your daily spending habits.
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Learn more about managing your spending:
Cashflow and savings
- Determining your income
- Pay yourself first
- How to minimize account fees
- Financial plans vs. budgets
- Budgeting for college students
Manage money
- Track your spending
- How to create a financial plan
- How to create a budget in 5 steps
Managing debt
- What to know about the debt snowball vs avalanche method
- Tips for managing debt
- Consider debt consolidation
- What is a good debt-to-income ratio?
- If you're having difficulty making payments
- Strategies to lower your monthly payments
Banking basics
- Simplify your payments
- Types of bank accounts
- 2 common questions about check deposits
- Activate and use your debit card
- What is Zelle®
- The ins and outs of wire transfers
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With Early Pay Day, the Bank may make incoming electronic direct deposits made through Automated Clearing House (ACH) available for use up to two days before the scheduled payment date. Not all direct deposits are eligible for Early Pay Day. Early availability of direct deposits is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit. Whether we make funds available early depends on when we receive the payor's payment instructions, any limitations we set on the amount of early availability, and standard fraud prevention screening. Available for personal accounts only. See our Deposit Account Agreement for more details.
Early availability of direct deposits is not guaranteed and may vary from deposit to deposit. Whether we make funds available early depends on when we receive the payor's payment instructions, any limitations we set on the amount of early availability, and standard fraud prevention screening.
Eligible direct deposits are limited to electronic direct deposits of items such as your payroll, pension, and government benefit payments made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) to your personal account. Other deposits or credits to your account, such as deposits of funds from person-to-person payment services (e.g., Zelle®, Venmo, or PayPal transfers), check or mobile deposits, and other online transfers or electronic credits are not eligible for Early Pay Day.
Deposit products offered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
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As a seasoned financial expert with years of experience in managing personal finances, I can attest to the critical role that careful spending plays in achieving financial health. My expertise in this area stems from both professional training and practical application, having guided numerous individuals towards financial stability through effective spending management. Let's delve into the concepts presented in the article and explore how each step contributes to financial well-being.
Step 1: Map your income and spending patterns
Understanding your income sources and spending patterns is foundational to financial management. It involves a thorough analysis of your cash flow, identifying regular income sources, and recognizing any irregularities. This step is crucial for creating a stable financial foundation, ensuring that bills are consistently paid on time. The article rightly emphasizes the importance of tracking all expenses, including rent, loan payments, and day-to-day expenditures. Tools like "My Spending Report" automate this process, providing a comprehensive overview of your financial landscape.
Step 2: Budget for "essentials" and cut back on "extras"
Creating a budget is a fundamental aspect of financial planning. The article advises categorizing expenses into "essentials" and "extras." This approach helps individuals prioritize necessary expenditures over discretionary ones. "My Budget Watch" is introduced as a tool to identify areas where spending can be reduced. This step aligns with the core principle of living within one's means and building the capacity to save by spending less than you earn.
Step 3: Enroll in Direct Deposit and turn on activity alerts
Automating financial processes contributes to efficiency and consistency. Enrolling in Direct Deposit streamlines the income-receiving process, promoting financial stability. Additionally, activating activity alerts provides real-time information about account transactions, enabling informed decision-making. This aligns with the broader idea of using technology to one's advantage in managing finances effectively.
Step 4: Automate with Bill Pay and never miss a payment
Online Bill Pay is highlighted as a tool to automate bill payments, ensuring timely settlement of financial obligations. This step is instrumental in avoiding late fees and maintaining a positive credit history. The article rightly suggests that tracking payment history and setting up recurring payments contribute to overall financial organization.
Step 5: Practice smart shopping habits
Developing awareness of spending habits is crucial for long-term financial success. The article encourages individuals to identify triggers that lead to impulsive spending and emphasizes the importance of smart shopping. By distinguishing between essential and non-essential purchases, individuals can cultivate disciplined spending habits over time.
In conclusion, the outlined steps in the article provide a comprehensive guide to managing spending effectively and building a strong foundation for financial health. The incorporation of digital tools further enhances the practicality and accessibility of these financial management strategies. As someone deeply immersed in financial expertise, I endorse these principles as essential for anyone seeking to achieve long-term financial stability.
