Money stress feels like carrying a secret weight that no one sees, but you feel every single day. That pit in your stomach when the credit card bill shows up? Or the silent guilt when you swipe your card for something you know you don’t really need? I’ve been there. And it took me a long time to realize that money isn’t just about math—it’s about mindset, emotions, and small habits that quietly shape our future.
That’s where my Monthly “Money Detox” Routine came in—and girl, it changed everything. If you’re tired of feeling like your money is controlling you instead of the other way around, this is the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.
Think of this as a reset button for your finances. Just like you might do a closet clean-out or a social media detox, your money needs the same kind of attention.
A money detox isn’t about being “cheap” or living on rice and beans. It’s about creating breathing room. It’s about clarity—knowing where your money is really going, finding the “leaks” in your budget, and deciding what actually deserves your hard-earned cash.
Before I even touch my bank app, I take 10 quiet minutes with my journal. I write down:
How do I feel about my money this month?
Did I spend in ways that made me feel good, or did I fall into “guilt spending”?
What would make me proud of my money habits next month?
You’d be shocked how freeing this is. When we don’t check our emotions, money becomes just numbers—but numbers don’t tell the whole story.
This part is where it stings a little—but in a good way! Every month, I open my bank statement and highlight every “meh” purchase I made:
The 4th coffee I didn’t even enjoy.
The impulse Amazon order that’s still in the box.
The subscription I forgot about (again).
Once I see the total, I ask myself: “If I had this money back, where would I use it?” Almost always, I’d rather spend it on something that truly lights me up—like a weekend getaway or padding my savings for future me.
Here’s my secret weapon: I spend just 5 minutes canceling or pausing one thing I don’t need. A subscription, an unused membership, or even returning something I regret buying.
Even small moves like this create instant wins—and trust me, those little wins add up. Last month, canceling two forgotten subscriptions freed up $40! That’s a full date night or extra savings.
After my audit, I reset my budget—but not in a boring, spreadsheet kind of way. I give my money a job that feels GOOD. I make three main categories:
Save – for future me.
Spend – guilt-free treats I truly love.
Dream – small steps toward a bigger goal (hello, Paris fund!).
When you focus on joy and freedom, budgeting stops feeling like punishment.
At the end of my detox, I gift myself something small—a $5 coffee date with myself, a new candle, or just an hour to binge my favorite show. Why? Because I want my brain to associate money habits with joy, not restriction.
✨ The Takeaway:
A monthly money detox isn’t about being perfect—it’s about progress. It’s a reminder that your money can feel calm, clear, and even empowering. And when you start to see extra savings appear (without even “trying” too hard), it’s the most addictive kind of self-care.
If the first part of my monthly “money detox” routine gave you clarity and control, this part is where we take things to the next level. This is about making your money work for you, not the other way around. Think of it like upgrading from a simple yoga session to a full spa retreat—your finances deserve that kind of care.
So grab a cozy cup of coffee (or tea!), and let’s dive into the next steps that can transform your relationship with money in ways you didn’t think were possible.
Once a month, I pick 2-3 days where I spend nothing—zero, nada! No online shopping, no takeout, no “quick” Target runs that turn into $100 bills flying out the window.
Why does this work? Because it forces you to notice your habits. You start asking, “Do I really need this, or am I just bored?”
The first time I tried this, I realized I was spending around $70 a week on random little purchases that I didn’t even remember buying. Now, those 2-3 days of intentional “no-spending” save me at least $200 each month. And that’s real money I can put toward my savings or something I truly want.
This is my secret ritual that feels like therapy. Every Sunday evening, I pour myself a cup of tea, light a candle, and spend 15 minutes checking my accounts. I look at:
What bills are coming up this week.
Any automatic payments I might want to pause or adjust.
How much progress I’ve made on my savings goals.
Instead of letting bills sneak up on me, I stay ahead of them. It also helps me feel in control—like I’m the boss of my money, not the other way around.
Here’s something I wish I’d done sooner. A Joy Fund is a small stash of cash just for things that make you light up. Not groceries. Not bills. Not boring stuff. It’s your “guilt-free” account for things like a spontaneous weekend getaway or that gorgeous pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing.
Even if you only put $20 a month into this fund, over time it grows—and when you use it, you feel zero guilt, because you planned for it. This simple shift made me love budgeting instead of hating it.
Whenever I’m about to buy something I didn’t plan for, I run it through my 3-box rule:
Need Box: Do I really need it right now?
Joy Box: Will this bring me joy beyond the next 24 hours?
Future Box: Would future-me thank me for buying this?
If it doesn’t pass 2 out of 3 boxes, I don’t buy it. This one rule alone has saved me hundreds (and helped me avoid buying random “stuff” that ends up collecting dust).
At the end of every month, I write down 3 money wins, no matter how small they are. Maybe I saved $30 by cooking at home or resisted a shopping impulse. Celebrating these wins makes me want to keep going.
Gratitude is like magic—it turns what you have into enough. And when you start feeling abundant, you naturally spend less on things that don’t matter.
This is the part people often skip: forgive your past money mistakes. I used to carry guilt about credit card debt and bad spending habits, but holding onto that guilt didn’t help me grow. The day I told myself, “I’m learning, I’m improving, and I deserve financial peace,” was the day things truly changed.
Money isn’t just about numbers—it’s about self-worth. And when you treat your money with respect, it starts respecting you back.
Here’s my little dare for you:
Do your own “money detox” for just one month.
Journal how it feels to be in control instead of stressed.
Set one fun financial goal, like saving for a tiny weekend escape.
You’ll be amazed at how empowering this feels. It’s like decluttering your mind and wallet at the same time.
If there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s this: you don’t need to earn more to feel rich—you just need to use what you have with intention. A money detox is not about restriction; it’s about choosing what truly matters.
Take this routine, make it your own, and watch how your savings grow while your stress shrinks. You deserve that peace of mind, girl.