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How to Make Budgeting Feel Less Like a Chore

From the best apps to track your spending to how you can combat inflation at the grocery store.

Pocket Editors

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Keeping your finances organized doesn’t have to be as daunting as it can feel. To help make life a little easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best expert-advised tactics to help you better understand your spending and budget accordingly. Read on for simple ways you can feel in better control of your finances, even when it seems tough—plus, tips for improving everything from your home to your travel plans with a tighter budget in mind.

The Art of Kakeibo, the Japanese Budgeting System That Could Change Your Financial Life

Get your spending in line with this innovative way to save money.

How to Start Saving Money When You’re Broke

You don’t need to win the lottery to get a little extra cash in your pocket. Small changes can add up to big savings.

An Economist Studied Popular Finance Tips. Some Might Be Leading You Astray

A Yale professor of finance read through 50 popular finance books to see how they square with traditional economic theory.

The Best Budgeting Apps Based on What Kind of Spender You Are

If you’re looking for a way to track your expenses and stay on top of your budget, you’ll need to choose the right spend tracking app.

I Made One Simple Financial Change and It Lowered My Spending

After reporting on personal finance, I used behavioral economics on myself.

The Secret Sauce To A Successful Budget Is Ending Up With $0

Tackling your personal finances head on can be daunting, but it’s never too soon to start.

Want to Save More Money? Try These Three Evidence-Backed Tactics

Behavioral economist Wendy de la Rosa regretted how much she was spending, but felt like she couldn’t stop. She shares the lifehack that got her spending under control — and two other money-saving tricks.

You Need to Save, but They Want to Splurge: How to Budget With Travel Companions

Even with those closest to us, talking about money can be challenging. When travel is thrown in, it can be even more stressful.

BONUS READ: One Secret to Cheap Travel? Pet Sitting. via Vox.

10 Things You Can Learn About Money in 10 Minutes That Will Change Your Life

From how to automate your savings to investing in the stock market when you’re not an “investor.”

Why ‘Cash Stuffing’ Is the Money Management Trend Helping People Stay on a Budget

Cash stuffing involves taking an amount of money out of the bank in cash and dividing it up into categories based on what it’s intended to be used for—and we spoke to financial expert May Fairweather about just how handy it really is.

15 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Home for Less Than $100 Each

Want to update your home but don’t have a lot of cash? Here are some little changes you can make — each for less than $100 — that will breathe some new life and energy into your space.

BONUS READ: Tips for Shopping for Budget- and Eco-Friendly Refurbished Products via The Washington Post.

How to Cook and Eat Well When Food Is More Expensive Than Ever

Inflation is hitting grocery prices hard. So what trade-offs should a home cook make?

The Everyday, Eco-Friendly Actions That Save You Money at Home

Small household changes—like cutting back on meat, embracing a wilder yard, and even repurposing your empty jars—can cut costs and add up to help our planet recover from generations of damage.

Want More? Read on for Dispatches From the Cost of Living Crisis — And Tips for Surviving It

These difficult economic times are putting pressure on people’s finances—but the impacts aren’t being felt equally. Explore what the cost of living crisis looks like across the world, and get some tips on how to cope.