I remember so clearly the wash of relief, and then excitement when I heard the “ch-ching” notification from my phone – I’d FINALLY been paid! For the last week of every month I’d live on my credit card or would purchase everything on buy now pay later, but when I heard that magic noise I became a payday millionaire all over again. Rather than paying off what I’d just bought on BNPL, I’d only pay the minimum amount and would actually view my remaining credit limit as extra salary – it was there to spend on whatever I wanted, and the merry-go-round of thoughtless purchases started up all over again.

Reading that back now, I would think I was reading about a total stranger but this was my typical payday routine only 5 months ago. To call it a “routine” is a stretch, as I wouldn’t even account for my subscriptions and bills later in the month. I’d have a rough idea of when they came out and how much they were, but there would always be a straggler that I forgot about that would put me into panic mode for the last week of the month all over again. Oh, and any emergencies or unexpected costs? That went straight on the credit card too.

I had been listening to The Vault for a couple of weeks, but it was only during Ep. 5 (“No One Is Coming”) when the penny finally dropped. I realised that if I carried on the way I was, I would be paying off a never ending conveyor belt of debt forever, and the worst part was that I couldn’t even remember what I’d bought with it! I knew that something had to change, so I took the plunge and joined the Financielle community.

I joined at the perfect time – just before my next payday. For the first time, I created a budget with allocations on how I would spend my budget through the month and made sure to add in a section for fun, dining out and miscellaneous (although, that one should be called TikTok Shop!). At first it felt a little unfamiliar and wobbly, but being aware of what I was spending where grew into the norm and now has actually become a little flex! Budgeting on each payday has ensured that my hard earned money is going towards things that either bring me true joy for more than a week (goodbye, impulse purchases!) or it goes towards making sure future Hannah very happy: paying off outstanding debt and very soon….investing!

I used to think budgeting was for boring people but my payday routine and budget has allowed me to be the complete opposite – I’m still able accept every social invite I receive in the month, the only difference is that I won’t be paying it off years down the line!

If you want to have budget success like Hannah head to the Financielle app and create your budget now.