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

#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 tricks to save money across 20+ different categories of spend (without having to make big sacrifices).

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Resources Mentioned

ATH Episodes:

Tools to Track Your Spending:

Copilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2
Mint
Rocket Money
Tiller HQ
YNAB: 34 day free trial
Simplifi
Monarch Money

Bilt Mastercard®: Earn Bilt Points on Rent

Pacaso: Free early access to listings and $2,500+ in closing credits

Mint Mobile: $15/mo for unlimited wireless on the nation's largest 5G network

Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice

Henson: Plastic-Free, Precision-Built Razors + $100 free Blades

Paprika Recipe Manager: Organize your recipes, make meal plans, and create grocery lists

Green Chef: 50% off + free shipping for healthy and delicious meal kits

DoorDash: 50% off a convenience, grocery or retail store order with code ALLTHEHACKS

inKind: Get $25 off to dine at top restaurants

Cashback Monitor: Rebates & Mileage/Points Reward Comparison for Online Shopping

CamelCamelCamel: Free Amazon Price Tracker

Keepa: Amazon Price Charts (not sure why I called this Wistia)

Library Extension: Free eBooks from your local library

CardPointers: 30% off the app that helps you earn more cash back, points, and miles

Expenses Category Breakdown:

Household
- Home Loans
- Insurance
- Dog
- Home
- Bills & Expenses
- Utilities
- Property Taxes
Car & Transport
- Car
- Transportation
Children
- Childcare
- Children
- Education
Food & Drink
- Groceries
- Dining & Drinks
Gifts & Donations
- Donations
- Gifts
Shopping
- Shops
- Clothing
Health & Welness
- Healthcare
- Fitness
- Personal Care
Lifestyle
- Travel
- Subscriptions
- Entertainment
- Personal
Fees
Other
Excluded
- Credit Card Payments
- Work Expenses

Email for questions, tips, deals, feedback: [email protected]

Full Show Notes

(02:13) Budgeting & Tracking Cash Flow

(06:24) Tools to Monitor Your Spending

(09:00) Free Tools to Track Your Spending

(17:00) Paid Tools on Android to Track Your Spending

(18:00) Review of Simplifi

(20:07) Review of YNAB

(23:36) Review of Copilot

(24:12) Categorizing Your Spending

(29:58) Hidden Expenses Categories

(31:55) Carryover Budgets

(33:19) Setting Up Recurring Expenses

(34:55) Copilot Intelligence

(35:50) Solving Cash Flow

(39:08) Refunds

(43:45) Benefits of Budgeting

(48:03) Ways to Save Money on Household Items

(53:50) Saving on Utilities

(56:10) Savings Related to Children

(57:27) Saving on Health & Fitness

(58:39) Saving Money on Personal Care

(1:00:29) Tricks to Save Money on Entertainment

(1:02:19) Saving on Food & Drink

(1:05:14) Coupons, Price Trackers & Other Tips to Save

(1:06:57) Gifting & Donating

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