Mastering Cash Flow: Tracking Spending to Boost Savings and 10+ Hacks 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 hacks 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: allthehacks.com/deals

Resources Mentioned

All the Hacks Episodes:

• #14: House Hacking To Build Your Wealth
• #16: Do You Really Need a Budget
• #34: Hacking Healthcare, Prescriptions and Medical Bills
• #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, hacks, deals, feedback: podcast@allthehacks.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) Hacks to Save Money on Entertainment

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

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

(1:06:57) Gifting & Donating

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