You don’t have to make big, dramatic changes to see real improvement in your finances. I learned this the hard way after trying and failing with huge resolutions like “I’m never eating out again!” or “No more online shopping ever!”
Turns out, those drastic changes just aren’t sustainable for most of us.
What really helped me was making a few small tweaks that fit my lifestyle, instead of fighting it.
One small change was how I dealt with my coffee habit. I didn’t give it up completely — instead, I started brewing coffee at home most days and only bought it out once or twice a week. It saved me around €50 a month without me feeling deprived.
Another was packing lunch for work instead of buying it every day. It was awkward at first, but after a week or two, I got used to it — and that saved me a surprising amount of cash.
I also started unsubscribing from newsletters that tempted me with sales I didn’t need. The less I saw those “50% off” deals, the less I wanted to buy random stuff.
And I kept an eye on my subscription services. I realized I was paying for two streaming platforms but only really used one. Canceling the other freed up some monthly cash that went straight into savings.
These changes weren’t glamorous, and I still slipped up sometimes, but they added up.
It’s funny how small habits can quietly eat away at your budget without you noticing until you take a step back.
Making small, realistic changes worked better for me than big, scary goals. I wasn’t perfect, but I was consistent. And that consistency slowly built better habits — and a better money situation.
If you want to start improving your finances, try focusing on one or two small changes. Maybe brew coffee at home a few days a week or check your subscriptions and cancel what you don’t use.
Big results come from small, steady steps.
