Money trouble? Forget budgets. This is the trick that worked for me!

In response to Lili Radloff’s newsletter about money woes and the fact that it’s the one thing we all have in common, our readers shared their stories.

Here’s what Neil has to say:

Well done for taking the first step, or at least, writing about taking the first step.

Here's the thing you must do first, don't worry about budgets or any of that other stuff. But do this: collect receipts for every cent you spend throughout the month. Sometimes this means you have to write 'car guard R10' on a piece of paper and stuff it in your bag.

Knowing what you're spending your money on is the most powerful information you can have.

I've been doing this every month for the last 15 years and I still get surprised on occasion by what the totals reveal.

I group things into rough categories, like eating out, shows, groceries, clothes, booze, bike bits and once offs. Choose categories that suit your lifestyle.

What you do from that point, can be kinda complicated, a lot depends on your circumstances, so I won't weigh in on that. Unless you want me too.

I wish you the best with this. It could change your life.

As much as I hate Dr Phil, he once said a very clever thing, 'money problems aren't solved with money'.

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