Lesson 1
The Expense Audit
Identify where every penny goes by categorizing spending and cutting unnecessary recurring costs.
The full audit
Download three months of bank statements. Group every transaction into: Fixed Costs (Rent/Bills), Variable (Food/Transport), and Discretionary (Subscriptions/Fun).
Identify the leaks
Look for 'subscription creep'. Cancel streaming services, gym memberships, or apps you have not used in 30 days.
Optimize your costs
Pick your top three largest fixed expenses and try to reduce them. Call your internet provider to negotiate a better deal or switch energy suppliers. Often, a simple phone call can save you £20-£50 monthly. When you view your expenses as a list of priorities rather than inevitable costs, you regain control. Use a simple app or spreadsheet to log your spending daily. Awareness is the first step in stopping money from leaking out of your accounts.