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I used to be careless with money; Here’s how I fixed it

By Aneeqa Mairaj

2 weeks ago

I used to be careless with money but learned to budget, save, and build financial confidence.

I used to be careless with money. I’d fall for impulse buying and spend without giving a second thought. No wonder why I was always broke before salary. 

My bad money habits kept me stuck. No personal budget. No savings. Just stress.

 

I was careless about money.  Then came the wake-up call. One unexpected bill changed my mind about money. 

 

Today, I finally exercise complete control. I build a budget, I save, and I even have an emergency fund. Most importantly, I feel stress-free.

 

If you’ve ever felt trapped by your finances, you can change it. Just stick around with me. I’m sharing the exact steps that helped my money mindset shift into a real-life transformation. 

 

Let’s dive into how you can do it too.

My Biggest Money Mistakes

Looking back, I can see exactly where things went wrong. I spent money like it would never go dry. I never had a personal budget. I kept swiping my card for things I didn’t need in the first place.

 

I used to be careless about money meaning impulse buying was my biggest weakness. New phone? Bought it. Dinner out? Why not? I always thought about today, never about tomorrow. 

 

I also ignored my bank statements. Deep down, I had no courage to face those numbers. And guess what? They just aggravated my stress level.

 

These bad money habits left me without any savings or safety net. I was always one unexpected expense from a complete disaster.

The Turning Point

Everything changed the day I got an unexpected bill. It wasn’t that big, but I couldn’t pay. That was a revelation how I’m careless about money because of bad money habits. 

 

I had nothing to support. I had no backup plan. No savings. No emergency fund. For the first time, I felt real panic. 

 

I had to borrow money just to make it through that month. That was my wake-up call.

This unexpected bill made me realize I was just careless about money. I was not careful with my future either.

 

That night, I promised myself to change everything. That was just the beginning!

Steps I Took to Fix My Finances

Change didn’t happen overnight. But once I’m careless about money Reddit, and started taking steps, baby steps, things slowly turned around. Here’s how I actually fixed my finances:  

I tracked every expense.

At first, this felt annoying, but it was an eye-opener. I wrote everything down, even every dollar spent on purchases like snacks or late-night tea. Within a week, I tracked where my money was leaking.

 

This was an uncomfortable but powerful step. It forced me to face reality. 

I Made a Simple Personal Budget.

I created a simple personal budget, nothing complicated. I used the 50/30/20 rule and split my finances into three categories: needs, wants, and savings. 

Personal budget gave me control instead of guessing every month.

I Cut the Money Leaks.

Once I knew where my money was leaking, I started cutting those unnecessary leaks. I canceled unnecessary subscriptions. I cooked more at home. I started eating out only on weekends.

 

These changes seemed small, but their impact was huge. Together they freed up extra cash every month.

I Built an Emergency Fund.

This was a game-changer. I started by saving amounts, even $5 or $10 a week. 

Slowly, my fund grew. For the first time, I was building a safety net. Knowing I could handle an unexpected expense gave me complete peace of mind.

I Learned About Money.

I spent time in financially educating myself. I read books like The Psychology of Money. I read many blogs and articles. I listened to money podcasts. I watched many budgeting videos.

 

The more I learned, the more confident I became about my money habits. I started perceiving money as a tool, not a problem.

I stayed consistent.

This was the hardest part. It’s easy to make a budget. Real game starts exercising discipline.

 

Whenever I was tempted to overspend, I reminded myself of why I started. Slowly, these steps turned into habits. That’s when the real change happened.

Money Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

I used to think budgeting meant restriction. Now I can affirm why people say it’s freedom. Money no longer feels like something that was once controlled. I control it now.

 

One big shift was learning to wait before spending. Delayed gratification made me realize most of my impulse buys I didn’t need.

Another was focusing on progress, not perfection. I didn’t need to save thousands in a month. The primary step was to start saving. Consistent steps built real confidence. 

 

Most importantly, I started viewing money as a tool, not a stress. That change alone helped me stay calm, even when unexpected expenses popped up.

The Results: Life After Change

Why do I care so much about money now? Within a few months, I noticed something incredible. My stress was gone.

 

For the first time, I was not waiting for payday. I could pay my bills on time. I had savings in cash.

 

My emergency fund started to grow, which gave me confidence. I no longer feared unexpected bills because I knew I had savings and a safety net.

 

Even my mindset changed. I stopped buying unnecessary things. I started questioning myself, “Do I really need this?” before every purchase.

 

The biggest win? I finally started feeling more control in my life, not just my money.

 

Looking back, I can honestly say this journey wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t just about money either. It was a strong mix of discipline, self-respect, and building a future I’m proud of.

Step-by-Step Guide to Start Investing in ETFs and Mutual Funds a Lessons You Can Apply Today

If you’re also stressed, broke, and tired of living paycheck to paycheck, my learning outcomes can also enlighten your path.

 

Here’s what I learned: 

Face the Numbers:

I avoided facing numbers, but they only increased my stress. Track your spending. It’s the first step to change, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Start Small:

The goal is to build constructive money habits. You don’t need to save a huge amount right away. Even saving $5 or $10 a week will build momentum.

Build an Emergency Fund:

It will be a huge step toward giving yourself an instant peace of mind. You’re now wary of surprises.

Cut Money Leaks:

Previous steps will give an idea of where your money goes. Now it’s time to cut those small, “harmless” expenses that add up faster than you think.
Work on Your Money Mindset: Invest in financial education. Learn and stay consistent. This is a habit, not a quick fix.

Your Turn to Take Control

I used to be careless with money, but now I have full control of my finances.

 

If you’re where I was once, you can also go from broke, anxious, and unorganized to confident and in control. 

 

Start today. Track your expenses. Save, no matter how much. Cut one bad money habit. 

 

The best day to manage money effectively was yesterday, and the better day is today. Your future self will thank you for every small step you take today.

FAQ

What do you call someone who is careless with money?

Someone who spends without thinking is often called a spendthrift. They make impulsive decisions and rarely plan ahead financially.

What to call someone who is careful with money?

A person who manages money wisely is often called thrifty, frugal, or simply a financially responsible person.

What is a stingy person?

A stingy person is someone who avoids spending money, even on necessary things. Stinginess is different from being frugal. Frugal people still spend on necessities.

What is a negative word for careful with money?

If someone is too careful with money, they’re usually called cheap or penny-pinching. These words suggest going overboard with saving.

Why am I careless with money?

You might be careless with money because you don’t track your expenses, spend emotionally, or avoid thinking about your finances. The good news? Awareness is the primary step towards becoming careful with money.

What does it mean to be a frugal person?

Being frugal means spending money wisely and making valuable purchases. It’s about prioritizing what matters, not saving on costs.

How to stop being careless with money?

Start by tracking where your money goes. Make a simple budget, cut unnecessary expenses, and start saving regularly, even a small amount. With consistency, your habits and results will change.

How to stop overthinking about money?

Start by separating facts from fears. Get clear about your income, needs, and goals. When you have a clear plan, your brain stops running in unwanted patterns. Meditation, journaling, or even a quick walk can also give you relief from money anxiety.

What is OCD about money?

It’s when money worries become intrusive and repetitive. This often leads to compulsive checking or over-controlling spending. Speak with a therapist if it disrupts your daily life.

What is a realistic monthly budget?

A realistic budget is one you can stick to. Many people chose the 50/30/20 rule. They allocate 50% to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt payments. The key is to adjust percentages that are conducive to your income and lifestyle.

How to overcome fear of money?

Learn about money instead of avoiding it. Start with baby steps. Check your bank balance, review expenses, and build a tiny emergency fund. The more familiar you get with your numbers, the better it’ll make you feel.

What are the 7 rules of money?

7 rules of money are:

  • Spend less than you earn. 
  • Save consistently.
  • Avoid bad debt.
  • Invest early. 
  • Protect yourself with insurance.
  • Keep learning about money.
  • Enjoy it responsibly.

 

These rules can help you build lasting financial confidence.

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