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My 15-Minute Monthly Money Review

My 15-Minute Monthly Money Review

There was a time when I felt strangely disconnected from my money—like a passenger on a train, watching numbers flash past without ever grabbing the controls. I had some savings and, most months, I avoided overspending. But I couldn't tell you how much runway I had, or whether my financial habits were actually moving me toward my goals.

I yearned for a sense of calm—not just the absence of worry, but a feeling of grounded, gentle authority over my financial life. I didn't want money management to be yet another stressor, nor did I have time to spreadsheet every day. That’s when I discovered the quiet momentum of a monthly review: a single, non-judgmental check-in that transformed the way I relate to my finances.

Why Monthly, Not Weekly or Daily

I experimented with all the “expert” routines—weekly check-ins, daily app notifications, even inbox rules for every bank alert. Here’s what I found:

  • Weekly check-ins felt too frequent. Small fluctuations were distracting, and I started to obsess over tiny details that simply didn’t matter over the long haul.
  • Daily tracking was a recipe for burnout. It kept money on my mind in a way that wasn’t healthy or necessary.
  • Monthly reviews struck a perfect balance. One session each month offers enough data to spot real trends, but enough distance not to sweat every little blip. It prevents over-optimization, stress, and the constant mental load of “keeping track.”

If you want to build mastery instead of spinning your wheels, monthly is just right.

My Setup

Simplicity is my greatest ally. Here’s how I prepare:

  • Google Sheet: I use my Budget OS Lite—a system I designed to be both powerful and kind. No paid apps, no logins—just a tab in Google Sheets.
  • A 30-minute calendar block: I block out “Money Clarity” time right after lunch on the last Friday of each month. No rush, no multitasking.
  • A cup of coffee or tea: A small ritual to signal this is about care, not punishment. I light my favorite candle or open a window if it’s nice out.
  • No stress, no guilt, just observation. Investing these 15 minutes has paid more dividends (emotional and financial) than any budgeting app ever did.

The 15-Minute Flow

Here’s my actual process, step by step. No fancy tools—just focused attention and an honest look at the numbers:

Log income and main expenses.
I open my Google Sheet and enter my total income for the month plus the sum of my key expenses: housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and discretionary spending. I don’t track every latte—just the main flows.

Check 3 core metrics:

  • Savings Rate:
    Savings Rate (%)=(Net Income This Month/Total Savings This Month) ×100
  • Runway:
    Liquid cash divided by average monthly spending = how many months I could live without income.
  • Fixed Cost Ratio:
    Percentage of my spending that’s committed (rent, bills, subscriptions) versus flexible.

Review any irregular transactions.
I quickly scan for anything unexpected: refunds, surprise bills, or one-off purchases. This is where I catch accidental double charges and errant subscriptions.

Note any upcoming large expenses.
If I’ve got a trip, insurance renewal, or holiday shopping coming, I assign an estimate for the next 1–2 months. That way, “surprises” are actually just reminders.

Write a one-sentence “money feeling” in the log.
I jot down—literally—how money felt this month. Was it smooth? Stressful? Did I make a decision I’m proud of, or just get by? This emotional check-in matters as much as any number.

That’s it. 15 minutes, once a month. No spreadsheets collapsing, no gadgets required.

What I Look For

I don’t aim for perfection; I aim for honest, actionable signals.

  • Is my savings rate trending up or down?
    If it dips, was it due to big expenses, or a shift in habits?
  • Any surprises in fixed costs?
    Did my rent or utilities spike? Are old “creeping” subscriptions worth the price?
  • Am I still within my ideal runway?
    If my runway drops below my comfort zone, do I need to pause extra spending until it recovers?
  • Emotional note:
    Did my relationship with money feel peaceful, tense, or neutral this month? Was stress external or self-imposed?

What I Don’t Do

I’m not a purist and I don’t believe in guilt-based systems. Here’s what I don’t do, even during tough fiscal months:

  • No categorizing every receipt.
    Life’s too short. Patterns matter, not categories.
  • No apps or automatic syncing.
    Manual review keeps me mindful and in control. No mystery fees, no lost transactions.
  • No guilt—just observation.
    The goal is clarity, not self-reproach. I don’t “punish” myself for going over. I get curious.

Steal My Checklist

A quick, stealable summary of my recurring review:

  •  Log total income and key expenses
  •  Calculate savings rate, runway, and fixed cost ratio
  •  Scan for irregular transactions
  •  Note upcoming large expenses
  •  Write a one-sentence summary of my money feeling

This 15-minute habit has given me more clarity and progress than any fancy tool or daily tracking obsession—and it fits into real life, every month.

Outro

Clarity compounds. The more I practice this monthly ritual, the more grounded and capable I feel with each passing season.

I don’t always feel in control of everything—life, work, the world’s curveballs—but I never feel lost with my money. And that, to me, is enough.

—

Claire West

P.S. If you try my checklist or Budget OS Lite, let me know how it works for you. There are no affiliate links—just calm, clear systems that actually fit real life.