Ready to spring clean your finances and step into your That Girl era? These budgeting tips will help you take control of your money, pay off debt, and finally get your savings in check!
Hey bestie,
You know that fresh start energy that comes with spring cleaning? What if we used it to glow up our finances the same way we refresh our closets and skincare routines?
I used to avoid looking at my bank account like it was a toxic ex. 🙃 But the truth? Your money mindset = your life upgrade. And That Girl? She has her finances on lock.
✨ Before we dive in, don’t forget to grab my FREE Pinterest to Dream Life Guide to help you manifest your biggest money + life goals this year!
Now, let’s Marie Kondo our finances and set ourselves up for a rich girl energy glow-up.
💸 Step 1: Get Clear on Your Money Situation
You can’t fix what you don’t fully understand. So, first things first:
📌 Write down ALL your debt (yes, even the “I’ll pay it later” ones).
📌 Check your credit score and see where you stand.
📌 List out all your monthly expenses (subscriptions included 👀).
I know—it’s a lot. But I promise, the power is in knowing exactly where you are so you can create a plan.
💰 Step 2: Choose a Budgeting System That Works for YOU
Not every budgeting method is one-size-fits-all. Here are two of my faves:
🌿 The 50/30/20 Rule
This method is so simple and perfect if you want a realistic way to budget money without overcomplicating things:
✨ 50% → Needs (rent, groceries, bills)
✨ 30% → Wants (Starbucks, shopping, weekend brunch)
✨ 20% → Savings/Debt (emergency fund, investments, paying off credit cards)
Super doable, right?
👜 The Cash Envelope Binder System
If you know you tend to overspend (hello, Target runs), this is a game-changer.
💵 Step 1: Withdraw cash for your monthly spending categories (groceries, gas, fun money, etc.).
💵 Step 2: Divide the cash into labeled envelopes in a cash envelope binder.
💵 Step 3: Once the cash is gone, it’s gone. No swiping your card mindlessly.
This method seriously helps you spend intentionally and stay in control of your money.
📅 Step 3: Have a Money Date with Yourself
Here’s the vibe: You, a cozy drink, your laptop, and a real talk moment with your finances.
Once a week, sit down and:
💡 Track your spending—where did your money actually go?
💡 Review your budget—are you sticking to it?
💡 Celebrate progress—even small wins, like choosing to cook instead of UberEats.
Trust me, making money management a cute, fun routine will make you actually want to do it.
❌ Step 4: Avoid Your Spending Triggers
Bestie, if you know you can’t step into Sephora without dropping $100, we need boundaries.
🚫 Unsubscribe from tempting sales emails
🚫 Delete shopping apps from your phone (yes, even Amazon)
🚫 Avoid stores where you always overspend (bye, impulse Target runs)
Your bank account will thank you later.
🔥 Step 5: Create a Debt Payoff Plan That Works
Debt feels so overwhelming until you actually get a strategy. Here are two ways to make it manageable:
1️⃣ The Snowball Method (Best for Quick Wins)
✨ Pay off your smallest debt first while making minimum payments on the rest.
✨ Once the smallest one is gone, roll that payment into the next biggest.
This method gives you motivation fast because you see debts disappearing quickly!
2️⃣ The Avalanche Method (Best for Saving Money on Interest)
✨ Pay off your highest interest debt first (credit cards, usually).
✨ Keep working your way down from most expensive to least expensive.
If you want to save money on interest, this method is queen.
📊 Step 6: Track, Automate & Save Like a Boss
Let’s make managing money effortless:
✔️ Track Your Expenses → Apps like YNAB or Mint make this so easy.
✔️ Automate Bill Payments → Never miss a bill (and avoid late fees).
✔️ Automate Savings → Even if it’s just $10 a week, set it up.
✔️ Get a High-Yield Savings Account → Your money should work for you!
The goal? Make saving second nature so you always have financial peace of mind.
✨ Bonus: Make Your Money Goals STICK
It’s one thing to set financial goals—it’s another thing to actually stick to them. That’s why I swear by my Accountability Bestie 12-Week Planner.
With daily check-ins, goal-setting prompts, and motivation boosters, it’ll help you:
✅ Stay consistent with your financial glow-up
✅ Actually stick to your budget (no more “I’ll start next month”)
✅ Celebrate your wins & stay motivated
Because we are done with setting goals and not following through.
Final Thoughts: Your Financial Glow-Up Starts NOW
Bestie, your finances don’t have to be stressful. Once you take control, you’ll feel lighter, more confident, and actually excited about your future.
So let’s spring clean our money habits, romanticize our budgeting routine, and glow up our bank accounts.
Your rich girl era? It’s coming.
Xo, Chelsea Elise
