For years, I thought saving money was just about cutting expenses. But the real change came when I shifted my mindset and adopted one habit that changed everything.
What You’ll Learn in This Article
- Why mindset is the real key to saving
- How philosophy can reshape your financial habits
- The simple habit that made saving automatic
- A step-by-step plan to take control of your spending
Contents
- The First Big Step: A Mindset Shift Inspired by Seneca and Schopenhauer
- The Tool That Sparked the Big Change
- Why Budgeting Works (and Isn’t as Rigid as You Think)
- How to Start Today
The First Big Step: A Mindset Shift Inspired by Seneca and Schopenhauer
For a long time, I thought saving money was simply about cutting expenses or hunting for discounts. But I was still stuck in a cycle of spending that left my wallet empty and the feeling that I was never truly getting ahead.
It wasn’t until I read thinkers like Seneca and Schopenhauer that my perspective began to shift radically. Seneca, with his emphasis on moderation and self-control, made me question how much value my spending actually brought into my life. How many of those impulsive purchases were just a vain attempt to fill a fleeting void?
Schopenhauer, on the other hand, spoke of desire as a constant source of dissatisfaction. I realized that chasing instant gratification only fed an endless loop where I never found financial or emotional peace.
That insight made me rethink my habits: I stopped looking for satisfaction in the short term and began to appreciate the peace that comes from building a financial cushion. Saving stopped feeling like a sacrifice and became a way to care for myself and my future.
And at this point, you’re probably thinking: “Oh great, I already know that to save money I have to spend less. What a useless piece of advice.” Yes, it’s obvious that saving involves spending less. But what I want you to understand is that day-to-day stress, anxiety, and the need for an escape valve often push us to buy something new—and we need to realize that this isn’t the solution.
The Tool That Sparked the Big Change
After changing my mindset, I needed a practical tool to help me stay on track. That’s when I discovered the power of creating a monthly budget. It might sound boring or even restrictive, but I promise you—it’s the opposite. I have no problem buying the clothes I like or going out to dinner, as long as those expenses are intentional and not impulsive.
What matters most is defining two key things:
- Your fixed monthly expenses—those you must cover to keep living: rent or mortgage, utilities, loan payments (careful with these; we’ll discuss them another time), transportation, gym (yes, this is non-negotiable—if you’re reading this, you already know it).
- Your variable expenses—mostly leisure and lifestyle. This is the area we need to work on.
Now, focusing on variable expenses, do this:
- Look back at your spending over the last few months. Identify the fixed ones and isolate the rest.
- Sort those variable expenses into categories: personal care, entertainment, dining, etc.
- Total up the monthly amount spent in each category. You’ll be shocked—you’re finally aware of where your money really goes.
Next step, after the initial shock, is reflection: if the amount you’re spending seems too high, what would be a reasonable amount?
Build a category-based budget using those more reasonable numbers. Your fixed expenses won’t change much, so input the accurate figures.
Then, add your income and calculate the leftover.
Surprise! The result likely comes dangerously close to zero. That unfortunately means your savings, as things stand, would be insufficient—and you’ll need to adjust your spending.
Got it? You could fine-tune the budget even further, since you’ll also need to account for irregular expenses like car insurance or annual subscriptions. But the foundation is clear: you’re not saving because you’re spending too much, and you’re spending too much because your desires are controlling you—not the other way around.
Your ego thinks you need that item to be happy. But you don’t. And it will never be enough—your ego will always want more.
Be honest with yourself and build a budget with reasonable expenses. If you’re not saving at least 20–30% of your income, you’re living beyond your means. Sorry, but that’s the truth. Adjust your lifestyle and focus on your long-term goals. Lack of self-control and avoiding reality are what separate you from them.
Why Budgeting Works (and Isn’t as Rigid as You Think)
- It gives you clarity
- It makes spending intentional
- You regain control and reduce impulsive buying
The best part is that this habit is flexible. It’s not about living with absurd restrictions, but about aligning your spending with your true priorities and goals. Month by month, you review how things are going, make necessary adjustments, and watch as your financial cushion slowly grows.
This simple habit, when done consistently, transforms your relationship with money—and allows you to save without feeling like you’re sacrificing your quality of life.
Once you’ve started saving, we’ll talk about how to manage it. And no, a regular checking account won’t cut it. Trust me.
How to Start Today
Start small, track your progress, and adjust as needed. If this resonated with you, take a look around the site.
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