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The Budget Refresh

Fiscal Investor • Money Minute

The 30‑Minute Budget Refresh: Your Financial Health Check

A simple quarterly ritual to cut waste, boost your savings rate, and automate progress—without obsessing over every coffee.

Start the 7‑Day Foundation Explore The Journey →

You’re busy building a career, maybe a side hustle, definitely a life. A 30‑minute budget check every few months can save you hundreds (even thousands) a year and accelerate real financial freedom—the kind that gives you options.

Grab your laptop (and coffee). Set a 30‑minute timer. Let’s go.

Part 1: The Subscription Purge (10 minutes)

Open your last two months of statements. List every recurring charge—even the tiny ones. For each, ask: Did I use this in the last month? If not, cancel it. You can always re‑subscribe later.

  • List all subscriptions (streaming, apps, gyms, boxes, software).
  • Cancel what you didn’t use. Be ruthless.
  • Set a quarterly reminder to repeat (subscriptions grow like weeds).
Quick Win: Most people find $50–$150/mo of unused subs. Redirect that to savings or debt payoff.

Part 2: The Savings Reality Check (10 minutes)

Calculate your actual savings rate: (Total Saved Last Month ÷ Gross Monthly Income). Count 401(k), IRA, HSA, and transfers that stayed saved.

Score Yourself

  • 15–20%+ → Crushing it.
  • 10–15% → Solid momentum.
  • 5–10% → Good start—aim higher.
  • <5% → Priority fix: spend less or earn more.

Common Savings Killers

  • Eating out more than you think.
  • “Treat yourself” creep.
  • Car that’s nicer than you need.
  • Housing > 30% of take‑home.

Move in increments: If you’re below 10%, bump your savings by 1–2% now. Progress beats perfection.

Part 3: The Auto‑Invest Setup (10 minutes)

  1. 401(k): Get the full match (free money). If possible, raise your contribution by 1% today.
  2. Pay‑yourself‑first: Schedule an automatic transfer from checking to savings the day after payday.
  3. Roth IRA: If eligible, set up auto‑contributions (even $50/mo). Invest in a diversified index or target‑date fund.
  4. Raises Rule: When you get a raise, increase savings by half the raise before lifestyle creep kicks in.

Handy FI Tools

Compound Interest → Debt Reduction Planner → Debt‑to‑Income Calculator → Emergency Fund → Net Worth Tracker → Milestone Tracker →

Finish Line

  • Trimmed wasteful subs.
  • Calculated a real savings rate.
  • Automated contributions & investments.

Next step: Send the subscription savings to debt payoff or auto‑invest—don’t let it vanish into everyday spending.

Lock in Your 7‑Day Foundation Build Your Debt‑to‑Wealth Blueprint™

Set a reminder to repeat this refresh in three months. Small, consistent actions compound.