The Money We Keep Hidden From Ourselves
Have you ever opened your bank app and felt that little pang of guilt? Maybe it’s the $50 coffee habit, the $30 monthly subscription you forgot about, or those impulse buys that felt harmless at the time. I used to brush these off, thinking, “It’s just a little here and there. It doesn’t matter.”
But one day, curiosity and a little courage got the better of me. I added up a month of these “little expenses” and nearly fell off my chair. $600. Gone. On things I barely remembered buying. That’s not just money. It’s a vacation, a gift, a peace of mind I was unknowingly giving away to no one but the habits I hadn’t noticed.
That realization hit hard. The lesson? Awareness is everything. Tracking your money isn’t about restriction. It’s about understanding. It’s about making choices that align with your life, your goals, and your values. Once I saw the numbers, I started redirecting that hidden money. Slowly, it became savings. Then an emergency fund. And over time, it became freedom, the freedom to say yes to opportunities, yes to experiences, and yes to security.
Here’s the heart of it: the money we hide from ourselves isn’t gone. It’s just misplaced. When we face it, track it, and take control, it transforms. Those small, unnoticed expenses can either quietly drain us or quietly empower us.
Your next step: Start noticing. Track the little things. Question whether they matter. And redirect them to what truly does, whether it’s saving for the future, investing in your dreams, or simply creating a cushion that gives your heart peace.
Small awareness leads to big change. And sometimes, the first step is as simple as opening your bank app and being honest with yourself.
Start noticing the little things. Track your spending, question what truly matters, and redirect your hidden money to what aligns with your life, your goals, and your peace of mind. Small awareness leads to big change. You have the power to turn what drains you into what empowers you.
Kerry Rizzo