Getting Started With Your Money Journey: Small Steps That Make A Big Impact
Are you feeling overwhelmed about where to begin with your finances? You’re not alone. Scrolling through social media often feels like everyone has it all figured out—maxed-out IRAs, flawless budgets, and seamless financial plans. It’s easy to feel like you’re behind. Let me tell you something: you’re not. You’re exactly where you need to be, and every journey starts with a single step.
When I began my money journey, I was just as unsure as many of you might feel right now. That’s why I became a Financial Planner—to help people like you navigate your financial path without all the confusion and stress.
Recently, I shared a creative Instagram post about small, impactful money actions, and the response was incredible! It showed me that people want easy, practical steps they can take today to build their financial foundation. And that’s what this blog is all about. Let’s dive into simple, actionable steps you can take to make big strides in your money journey.
You’re Not Behind—You’re Just Starting
It’s tempting to compare yourself to others online. Behavioral finance teaches us that mindset plays a huge role in how we manage money. Feeling “behind” often leads to paralysis—doing nothing because the task seems too big. Instead, focus on this: What small step can I take today?
Here’s the truth: Starting small is not just okay—it’s smart. Every step forward is progress.
Step 1: Know Your Numbers + Build Your Financial Roadmap
The first thing you need to do is face the facts—where are you really with your money? Before you set any goals, I recommend doing what I call a "Audit Wallet" It’s a deep dive into your finances to see what’s going on with your spending and saving. Here’s what you’ll need:
Your last 3 months of bank statements
Credit card statements
Any random receipts you’ve got lying around (in your car, wallet or purse)
Three highlighters (green, yellow, red — whatever color you have)
30 minutes of uninterrupted time (at least)
Now, let’s break it down with the highlight system:
Green: Essential expenses (bills, groceries, subscriptions you actually use)
Yellow: Random spending (impulse buys, stuff you didn’t really need)
Red: Things that should be in your budget but aren’t (like car maintenance or savings for emergencies)
This might feel uncomfortable at first—trust me, I’ve been there—but knowing where your money is going is the first step to making real changes. By doing this audit, you'll see where you’re overspending, find those sneaky little money leaks, and start to get a clearer picture of your financial situation.
Step 2: Set Goals That Meet You Where You Are
Big goals like buying a home or paying off debt are great—but they can feel overwhelming if you’re just starting. The key? Break them into manageable chunks.
Want an emergency fund? Start by saving $20 per paycheck. Over time, it will grow.
Saving for retirement? Begin with fractional shares if full ones feel out of reach. Even $50 a month can build momentum.
Planning for a home? Save the difference between your rent and a potential mortgage payment in a high-yield savings account (HYSA).
*Write Down Your Goals + Reflect
Take a moment to write down your financial goals—big and small. Whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for a home, putting it on paper gives you clarity.
Now, reflect on where you are and where you’ve been. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about understanding. Ask yourself:
What money habits have served me well?
What habits do I need to change to align with my goals?
For example, if buying a home is on your list, think about how you can restructure your current spending to save for a down payment. Could you stash the money you’d usually spend dining out into a HYSA or CD?
Here’s an example:
After you pay your rent each month, pretend you’re also paying your future mortgage. Transfer the difference into a dedicated savings account.
Automate this process so it happens without you having to think about it.
Step 3: Build Consistency With Small, Realistic Actions + Goals
Now that you’ve got a clearer picture of where your money is, it's time to figure out where you want to go. Think of this like setting your destination on a GPS—you need to know where you are (your Wallet Audit) and where you’re headed (your financial goals). I like to break these down into three categories: short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals.
Short-Term Goals: These are things you can knock out in the next 3-12 months. Examples: Save $400 in a high-yield savings account (HYSA), automate your savings, or pay off one credit card.
Medium-Term Goals: These take 1-5 years to achieve. Examples: Build an emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses), or get life insurance outside of your job.
Long-Term Goals: These are for the next 5+ years. Examples: Open an IRA, learn about your retirement accounts, or create a will.
Here’s a pro tip: break your big goals down into smaller, bite-sized chunks. If your goal is to save $400, that might feel overwhelming. But if you break it down into saving $33.33 a month, or $7.69 a week, it suddenly feels a lot more doable, right?
Now that you’ve got your goals, let’s talk about the power of small actions. Sometimes, we get caught up in thinking we need to make drastic changes to see progress, but it’s the small, consistent steps that really add up over time.
You can do this with your goals and vision board for your new year goals —- 1 goal for each area of your financial stack, then what would it take to reach it? Action steps are broken down by quarter, month, week, and day-to-day. When you check off one goal, check in to see what did it take. That’s your funds’ formula when it comes to your money goals and roadmap.
Here are some small financial actions you can start today:
Immediate Impact Goals:
Save $400 in a high-yield savings account (HYSA) (Break it down like this — Yearly: $400, Monthly: $33.33, Weekly: $7.69, Daily: $1.10)
Cut out one unnecessary expense (Do you really need all those streaming services?)
Track your spending for two weeks to spot any patterns (then move on to doing a no-spend/low-spend challenge)
Pay bills on time to avoid late fees
Building Better Habits:
Future-Focused Actions:
Open an IRA and start investing
Create a will (it’s never too early to start planning)
Get life insurance that’s not tied to your employer (set a beneficiary, too)
Understand your retirement accounts (what’s in your 401(k), IRA, etc.)
These might seem like small things, but trust me, they add up fast. And the best part? Once you start seeing results, you’ll be more motivated to keep going.
Step 4: Track Progress + Celebrate ALL Wins (Big & Small)
Tracking isn’t just about numbers—it’s a visual reminder of your progress. Use an app, a spreadsheet, or even a notebook to document your journey. Did you save $50 this month? That’s a win. Paid off a credit card balance? Celebrate it!
As you start making these small changes, don’t forget to track your progress! Whether you're saving that $400, paying off a credit card, or sticking to your budget, watching your progress build will give you that extra boost of motivation.
Here’s the best part: as you track your progress, you’ll start to build money confidence. It’s not just about seeing the numbers go up in your savings account—it’s about knowing you’re in control of your money. And that confidence is key to long-term financial success.
Use this thinking to help plan for your new year - rather you start in January or June, you can always jumpstart your money management.
Your Mindset Matters
The way you think about money influences your success. If you feel like you’re “bad with money” or “too far behind,” flip the script:
Celebrate small wins—they add up.
Stay focused on your journey, not what others are doing.
Remember: Every step forward counts, no matter how small.
Final Thoughts: Small Steps Lead To Big Results
Starting your money journey doesn’t require perfection or an overnight transformation. It’s about progress, consistency, and giving yourself grace along the way.
Remember, you’re not behind—you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Small, intentional actions today will set the foundation for your financial future.
If you’re ready to take the next step, check out my YouTube playlist for money basics or book a session with me for personalized help. Let’s build your financial foundation—one small step at a time.
You’ve got this!