I was at a garage sale in Phoenix and saw a guy's whole system for tracking cash

He had this simple notebook where he wrote down every single dollar he spent for the past year. Not just bills, but stuff like coffee and gas. He showed me the total for 'eating out' and it was over $2000. I started doing the same thing with a $5 notebook from the drugstore. After 3 months, I cut my food spending by 40% just by seeing the numbers. It's crazy how writing it down makes you think twice. Has anyone else tried the old-school pen and paper method instead of an app?

3 comments

3 Comments

torres.blair13d ago

That "old-school pen and paper method" is the only thing that works for me. Apps just make it too easy to ignore.

daniela8513d ago

You know what, my buddy tried to go all digital with his to-do lists last year. He had this fancy app with reminders and colors and everything. He said it just felt like another notification to swipe away. Went back to a cheap notebook he keeps on his kitchen counter, says the act of writing it down makes it stick in his brain. Funny how the simple way sometimes just clicks.

kimw5713d agoMost Upvoted

Your friend's story really hits home. I was totally sold on digital planners for years, swore by them. Reading what daniela85 said about the notebook on the counter made me try it again last month. Crossing things off with a pen gives me a real sense of getting it done that a tap on a screen just doesn't. My phone is full of distractions, but the paper just sits there quietly waiting. It turned me into a complete convert.