PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The 30-day Money Cleanse is basically budgeting self-help, so you spend less and save more.
Ashley Feinstein Gerstley created the concept and tells us how it works.
“It’s really about getting intentional with where our money is going, which sounds very simple but so many of us have no idea. It’s so easy to spend money,” said Feinstein Gerstley.
And this now viral TikTok video posted by 23-year-old Alyssa Gillis said the cleanse gave her a real wake-up call after realizing the thousands of dollars she spent on beauty products in just three years.
So how can we do the 30-day Money Cleanse?
First – keep a money journal, a simple log of your every day spending.
Then, set very specific goals for your money to force yourself to consider the opportunity cost of your spending.
For instance, if you can put $50 toward a vacation, maybe you won’t spend it on a shirt.
Third – for accountability, throw what Feinstein Gerstley calls a “money party.” Meaning, schedule time to play some fun music, break out the wine and cheese, track your spending, and check in on your savings goals.
“I host them, actually. I have money club where we have monthly money parties together because there’s so much in that accountability,” she said.
And unlike a food or juice cleanse, the 30-day Money Cleanse isn’t supposed to feel restrictive.
Instead, it should be a sustainable lifestyle shift where each dollar spent brings you more joy and value.
And according to Feinstein Gerstley you can save hundreds of dollars.
“People mostly don’t miss what they let go of, and the average participant saves $950 during the 30 days, which is pretty remarkable,” she said.
She also suggested that people remove what she calls environmental toxins. For example, stop going into stores where you have a history of planning to only buy one thing, but you come out with 10 things and having spent hundreds of dollars.
Another tip – pay yourself first. When you get your paycheck or some birthday cash, automatically put a portion of it into savings.
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