I remember the first time I sat down to track my spending—it felt overwhelming, and honestly, I wasn’t even sure where to start. Was I doing it wrong? Was I missing something? But here’s the thing—you don’t need to be a financial guru to take control of your money.
You just need a starting point.
This blog series is like your personal money reset button (without the stress). We’ll walk through six doable steps that help you rebuild a financial life that’s both realistic and empowering—especially if you’re managing everything solo.
Introducing the Solo Money Rebuild™ Path
6 Steps to Take Charge of Your Finances—One Small Win at a Time
✨ This is the same path you’ll find inside the Solo Money Starter Kit and the Smart Money blog series. Each step comes with a matching worksheet to guide you!
Step 1: Reflect & Reset Your Mindset
Check out the Smart Money Series part 1 for more on Step 1!
Before we get to tracking and numbers, let’s pause.
Your money habits didn’t come out of nowhere. They’re shaped by how you were raised, what you’ve been through, and what you believe about money today. That’s why we start with a mindset check-in.
“What’s my first memory of money?”
“Do I feel guilt, fear, or freedom when I think about spending?”
You’ll find guided prompts in the Starter Kit to help you reflect—and release what’s no longer serving you.
🧰 Use the Financial Clarity Journal Prompts
Step 2: Track Your Spending Without Stress
Check out the Smart Money Series part 2 for more on Step 2!
Now that your mindset is grounded, let’s start tracking—no guilt, no pressure. Just notice what’s happening with your money.
Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or app. Don’t change anything yet—just watch.
It’s like checking your weight before starting a fitness plan: just data, not a judgment.
🧰 Use the 7-Day Smart Money Tracker
Step 3: Identify Money Leaks
Check out the Smart Money Series part 3 for more on Step 3!
Once you’ve tracked your spending, it’s time to see where your money might be sneaking off to without your permission.
Look for:
- Subscriptions you forgot about
- Impulse buys that didn’t bring lasting joy
- High-interest payments draining your budget
Even a $15 charge here or there adds up—and freeing that up can fund your peace of mind.
🧰 Use the Subscription & Expense Audit Checklist
👉 Quick Fix:
Highlight any expenses that feel unnecessary or could be adjusted. Even a $20/month subscription you forgot about is $240 a year back in your pocket—enough for a weekend getaway or a boost to your emergency fund!
Step 4: Build a Financial Safety Net
Check out the Smart Money Series part 4 for more on Step 4!
If you’re the only one bringing in income, building a small buffer is essential—not optional.
This doesn’t have to mean saving thousands overnight. It starts with simple habits:
- Reroute a canceled subscription into a savings jar
- Set up an “Oops Fund” for life’s mini surprises
- Automate a small transfer each week
🧰 Use the Emergency Fund Tracker (or write it in the margins of your Starter Kit)
Step 5: Manage Debt Without Shame
Check out the Smart Money Series part 5 for more on Step 5!
Debt doesn’t make you bad with money—it makes you human.
Choose a method that feels good to you:
- The Snowball Method (start small, build momentum)
- The Avalanche Method (start with the highest interest first)
Just make one extra payment this month if you can. Small steps = real wins.
🧰 Use the Debt Tracker Worksheet
Step 6: Manage Debt Without Shame
Check out the Smart Money Series part 6 for more on Step 6!
Here’s the truth: no budget survives perfectly.
That’s why the Solo Money Rebuild™ Path ends with a gentle monthly reset:
- Reflect on what worked
- Adjust for what’s coming
- Set one simple goal for the month ahead
This is how progress happens—without shame or burnout.
🧰 Use the 3-Step Monthly Money Reset Guide
✨ Ready to Begin?
💡 I created the Solo Money Starter Kit to make this journey easier for you. It includes all the worksheets and tools mentioned above — thoughtfully designed to help you move forward at your own pace.
Prefer working in a spreadsheet? You can grab the Companion Google Sheet for just $8.95 in the Solo Money Shop to make tracking even easier.
🟢 Get the Kit + Instant Access to the Freebie Vault
🧰 You’ll also get instant access to every printable I’ve created so far — from trackers to planning pages — all designed to help women like us feel confident, capable, and in control of our finances.
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Final Thoughts
You don’t have to figure it all out today. You don’t even have to follow these steps perfectly.
But I hope this series helps you feel less alone—and more in control.
Grab your Starter Kit. Track your first week. Then come back and take your next step. I’ll be right here cheering you on. 💚
💬 Have any questions or insights about money management? Share them in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
Project: Improve Me! – Because Your Second Half Should Be Your Best Half.
