Track your spending for a month (using apps, notes, spreadsheets – choose a tool you’ll actually use) without judgment. It is important to get a sense of how and what you spend money on. If you are successful in doing this exercise for one month, try it for a few more months to capture items like insurance premiums for example, expenses that aren’t always paid monthly. 

Next, review your findings to see if your spending is aligned with your priorities and goals. Remember, you are doing this exercise for you alone! It’s OK if you buy a lot of shoes and coffee if that doesn’t interfere with other financial goals you would like to accomplish. However, if you discover that certain items aren’t necessary or helpful, then it’s time to think about making some changes.