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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Copilot: Free 2 months access to my favorite personal finance app with code HACKS2
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals
Resources Mentioned
ATH Episodes:
- #14: Smart House Moves To Build Your Wealth
- #16: Do You Really Need a Budget
- #34: Insider Tricks to Healthcare, Prescriptions and Medical Bills with Marshall Allen
- #50: The Power (and Tax Savings) of Charitable Giving
- #104: Optimizing Your Insurance Policies (Auto, Home/Renters, Umbrella, Life, Disability, Pet, and Travel)
- #113: Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits
- #131: Maximize Earnings on Cash, CD Ladders, Bank Bonuses, Bulk Buying, and Automating Returns
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: podcast@chrishutchins.com
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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