Where did all my money go?
An investigation, with receipts, into your own spending.
Time
20 min
Cost
$0
DIY?
Yes
Urgency
Low
What's probably happening
Small recurring charges, subscriptions, and cash spending add up faster than your brain tracks them. Your bank balance is real; your mental math about it usually isn't.
How urgent is it
Not urgent, but the sooner you see the real numbers the sooner you stop the leak.
What to do first
Pull the last 30 days of bank and card statements and sort every transaction into five buckets: fixed bills, food, subscriptions, discretionary, and 'no idea.'
Can I handle this myself
Yes. A spreadsheet or budgeting app plus an hour of honest categorizing tells you more than any advice article.
When to call a professional
Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor if debt is piling up faster than you can categorize it, or a financial advisor once you're tracking spending but need a bigger plan.
What it might cost
Free if you do it yourself with a spreadsheet or your bank's built-in categorization. Budgeting apps range from free to about $15/month.
What to gather first
Last 1-3 months of bank statements, credit card statements, and any subscription confirmation emails you can find.
Mistakes to avoid
Only checking one account, forgetting cash withdrawals, and giving up after finding one embarrassing charge instead of finishing the full picture.
General educational information, not individualized tax, legal, or financial advice for your situation.
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