3 ways to improve your self-discipline for financial health

Ever told yourself you were going to save…and then watched half your paycheck vanish on clothes, takeaway, or a last-minute weekend trip?

Meet Jordan, 23, juggling part-time work and study. The budget’s already tight, but somehow the bank balance still feels stressful. The problem isn’t how much money comes in — it’s the habits around how it goes out.

Maybe you're like Jordan, and knowing some practical ways to boost your money discipline can help you enjoy what you earn now and set yourself up for the future.

A woman in old clothes saying, “Let’s talk budget.”

Did you know?

Only one-third of adults worldwide are financially literate — that’s about 3.5 billion people who don’t fully understand basics like saving, budgeting, or even simple investing.

# 1: Track Where Your Money Goes

Why it works:

You can’t improve what you don’t measure — tracking shows exactly where your money goes.
Small daily costs add up faster than you think.

How to do it:

Write down every purchase for 7 days — even the $2 snack or $1 bus fare.
Use free budgeting apps like Mint, YNAB, or Spendee to make it easier.
At the end of the week, review your list and highlight anything that wasn’t essential or didn’t bring value.

Example: An $8 daily lunch costs $160/month. Skipping two lunches a week could save $64/month — that’s $768/year for something more meaningful.

Pro tip: 💡

Group your spending into categories like “Food”, “Transport”, “Entertainment”, and “Other”. This makes it easier to spot problem areas.

Ryan Reynolds saying, 'I did not expect that.'

Quiz

Jordan wants to save but runs out of money each week. They don’t know which costs are essential or optional. What should they do first?

Cut all social events

Transfer half their pay to savings

Cancel the gym today

Track every expense for a week

Did you know?

Think of a spending diary as your money’s selfie camera — it captures every little purchase you make. Studies show that just writing down what you spend can make you more aware of your habits and cut down on “oops” buys.

#2: Set Small, Realistic Limits

Why it works:

Drastic changes often feel like punishment and rarely last.
Small, achievable goals build momentum and confidence.
Limits help you stay in control without feeling deprived.

How to do it:

Choose one category to adjust first — e.g., takeaway coffee, rideshares, or streaming services.
Set a weekly or monthly cap for “fun spending” and track it like you would a game score.
Keep “fun money” separate in a prepaid card or a different bank account to avoid overspending.

Example: If you currently spend $30/week on snacks, cut it to $20. That’s $10/week saved = $520/year for something more meaningful.

Pro tip: 💡

Use your banking app’s alerts to warn you when you’re close to hitting your limit — this is like having a coach in your pocket.

Coins dripping into jar.

Quiz

Maya spends about $30 a week on snacks but wants to build savings without feeling punished. What’s the best first step?

Stop eating out completely

Cut snacks to $20/week

Cancel all streaming services

Make some snacks at home to lower costs

Did you know?

Cutting just one $5 treat twice a week can free up $500+ per year for savings or investments.

#3: Automate Your Savings

Why it works:

Willpower is limited — automation removes temptation.
If the money leaves your spending account before you see it, you won’t miss it.
Consistent small deposits grow into big results over time.

How to do it:

Schedule a transfer to savings on payday, even if it’s just $10.
Use “round-up” features on bank apps — they send spare change from purchases into savings automatically.
Treat savings like a non-negotiable bill you pay to yourself.

Discipline example: Liam turns on his bank’s round-up feature. Each coffee, lunch, or bus fare rounds up to the nearest dollar. After 6 months, he’s saved $180 without even thinking about it.

Pro tip: 💡

Name your savings account after your goal (e.g., “Japan Trip” or “First Car”). It makes saving feel more motivating and personal.

An animation of a pig scrolling through a banking app.

Quiz

Alex wants to save more but always forgets to transfer money. What’s the best solution?

Open another account

Stop using a debit card

Set up an auto-transfer on payday

Keep cash at home

Did you know?

Automating savings is like putting your money on autopilot. One global study found that people who set up automatic transfers save up to 30% more than those who don’t.

Take Action

Barney from How I Met Your Mother saying, 'Challenge accepted!'

Track your spending for 7 days using a notebook or budget app. Check out this Byte for quick wins to track spending and stick to limits.

Name your account! Give your savings goal a fun or inspiring name like “Dream Vacation” or “New Laptop” to keep you motivated.

Reduce one expense you spotted — e.g., one less takeaway or coffee — and set a weekly “fun fund” limit.

Automate savings with a fixed transfer on payday or a round-up feature.

Explore simple, low-pressure techniques that build your budgeting, saving, and investing, like a financial habit loops & financial habit journals.

3 ways to improve your self-discipline for financial health

Did you know?

# 1: Track Where Your Money Goes

Quiz

Did you know?

#2: Set Small, Realistic Limits

Quiz

Did you know?

#3: Automate Your Savings

Quiz

Did you know?

Take Action

This Byte has been authored by

Davide Orlando