Mastering Cash Flow: Tracking Spending to Boost Savings and 10+ Hacks to Spend Less

Published: Sept. 13, 2023, 9 a.m.

#133: Chris does a deep dive on tracking your spending, covering why to do it in the first place, as well as top apps/services, setting up budgets, managing recurring expenses, picking categories and more. He also shares practical tips and hacks to save money across 20+ different categories of spend (without having to make big sacrifices).\nLink to Full Show Notes: https://allthehacks.com/spending-tracking\n\nPartner Deals\nDeleteMe: 20% off removing your personal info from the web\nFabric: Affordable term life insurance for you and your family\nVuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn\nMint Mobile: $15/mo for unlimited wireless on the nation's largest 5G network\nGelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth\nCopilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2\nFor all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to:\xa0allthehacks.com/deals\n\nResources Mentioned\nAll the Hacks Episodes:\n\n#14: House Hacking To Build Your Wealth\n\n\n#16: Do You Really Need a Budget\n\n\n#34: Hacking Healthcare, Prescriptions and Medical Bills\n\n\n#50: The Power (and Tax Savings) of Charitable Giving\n\n\n#104: Optimizing Your Insurance Policies (Auto, Home/Renters, Umbrella, Life, Disability, Pet, and Travel)\n\n\n#113: Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits\n\n\n#131: Maximize Earnings on Cash, CD Ladders, Bank Bonuses, Bulk Buying, and Automating Returns\n\n\nTools to Track Your Spending:\n\nCopilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2\n\n\nMint\n\nRocket Money\n\nTiller HQ\n\nYNAB: 34 day free trial\n\n\nSimplifi\n\nMonarch Money\n\nBilt Card: Earn Points on Rent\nPacaso: Free early access to listings and $2,500+ in closing credits\nMint Mobile: $15/mo for unlimited wireless on the nation's largest 5G network\nDaffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice\nHenson: Plastic-Free, Precision-Built Razors + $100 free Blades\nPaprika Recipe Manager: Organize your recipes, make meal plans, and create grocery lists\nGreen Chef:\xa050% off + free shipping for healthy and delicious meal kits\nDoorDash: 50% off a convenience, grocery or retail store order with code ALLTHEHACKS\ninKind: Get $25 off to dine at top restaurants\nCashback Monitor: Rebates & Mileage/Points Reward Comparison for Online Shopping\nCamelCamelCamel: Free Amazon Price Tracker\nKeepa: Amazon Price Charts (not sure why I called this Wistia)\nLibrary Extension: Free eBooks from your local library\nCardPointers: 30% off the app that helps you earn more cash back, points, and miles\nExpenses Category Breakdown\nEmail for questions, hacks, deals, feedback:\xa0podcast@allthehacks.com\n\nFull Show Notes \n(02:13) Budgeting & Tracking Cash Flow\n(06:24) Tools to Monitor Your Spending\n(09:00) Free Tools to Track Your Spending\n(17:00) Paid Tools on Android to Track Your Spending\n(18:00) Review of Simplifi\n(20:07) Review of YNAB\n(23:36) Review of Copilot\n(24:12) Categorizing Your Spending\n(29:58) Hidden Expenses Categories\n(31:55) Carryover Budgets\n(33:19) Setting Up Recurring Expenses\n(34:55) Copilot Intelligence\n(35:50) Solving Cash Flow\n(39:08) Refunds\n(43:45) Benefits of Budgeting\n(48:03) Ways to Save Money on Household Items\n(53:50) Saving on Utilities\n(56:10) Savings Related to Children\n(57:27) Saving on Health & Fitness\n(58:39) Saving Money on Personal Care\n(1:00:29) Hacks to Save Money on Entertainment\n(1:02:19) Saving on Food & Drink\n(1:05:14) Coupons, Price Trackers & Other Hacks to Save\n(1:06:57) Gifting & Donating\n\nConnect with All the Hacks\nAll the Hacks:\xa0Newsletter\xa0|\xa0Website\xa0|\xa0Membership\xa0|\xa0Email\nChris Hutchins:\xa0Twitter\xa0|\xa0Instagram\xa0|\xa0Website\xa0|\xa0LinkedIn