10 minutes per week can change your financial life. A simple weekly review turns raw expense data into actionable insights.
Why Weekly Works
- Daily: Too often, becomes a chore
- Monthly: Too late to adjust
- Weekly: Just right — catch problems early
The 10-Minute Weekly Review
Minute 1-3: Total Check
- Open your expense tracker
- Look at total spending this week
- Compare to typical week
Minute 4-6: Category Check
- Which category was highest?
- Any surprises?
- Are you on track for monthly limits?
Minute 7-9: Patterns Check
- Any impulse purchases you regret?
- What could you cut next week?
- What spending felt good/valuable?
Minute 10: Plan Next Week
- Set one intention for next week
- Example: "Limit dining out to 2 times"
Best Day for Reviews
Most people choose:
- Sunday evening: Plan for the week ahead
- Monday morning: Start week with awareness
- Friday evening: Review while week is fresh
Pick one and stick to it.
Questions to Ask
- What was my biggest expense this week?
- What purchase gave me the most value?
- What purchase do I regret?
- Am I on track for the month?
- What can I do differently next week?
Common Review Mistakes
- ❌ Judging yourself: This is data, not a report card
- ❌ Skipping because it's "bad": Bad weeks need review most
- ❌ Not acting on insights: Observation without action is useless
Making It Stick
- Set a recurring calendar reminder
- Pair with another habit (Sunday coffee + review)
- Keep it under 10 minutes — don't over-complicate
- Focus on progress, not perfection
Start Tracking, Then Review
Track expenses all week. Review on Sunday. Repeat.