This Week's Money Talking Points
1. How can you be intentional with your money?
Being intentional with your money starts with paying attention to where it actually goes. Justin shared a great example: if you can’t remember what you had for lunch last Tuesday, maybe that $15 meal wasn’t the place to focus your spending. On the other hand, the concert you went to two months ago that still makes you smile? That’s a memory worth paying for. Intentionality is all about aligning your dollars with the things that truly matter to you and cutting back ruthlessly on the forgettable stuff.
A great first step is to track your spending for a week or two without judgment. See what jumps out. Then, pick one category where you’re spending out of habit, like random Amazon buys or takeout, and swap that money toward something you’ll actually remember and appreciate. It’s not about spending less on everything; it’s about spending more on what you love and less on what you don’t. Hit reply and tell me, what’s one expense you know you could cut without missing it?
2. What other areas of your life are you intentional with?
Intentionality doesn’t stop with money. Justin talked about how his focus on fitness and nutrition mirrored his approach to finances: when he started tracking workouts and meals, he saw results. The same principle works for your health, relationships, or even your home environment. If you already have an area of life where you’re thriving because you’re intentional, that’s a sign you can transfer those habits over to your finances, too.
My wife and I do this all the time. We’re great at meal planning, so we applied the same mindset to budgeting, planning our “money meals” for the week, so to speak. Maybe for you it’s fitness, organization, or work habits. Whatever it is, take the systems and discipline that already work in your life and try applying them to your financial goals. What’s one area you’re already intentional in that you could use as a model for your money? I’d love to hear it, hit reply!
3. Where can a lack of intentionality really impact your finances?
A lack of intentionality sneaks up on you in the most dangerous way: death by a thousand paper cuts. It’s the random gas station snacks, the $20 Target runs, and the packages that magically appear on your porch. Justin mentioned that almost nobody guesses their true monthly spending correctly; people always guess lower than reality. Those unplanned, forgettable purchases add up faster than you think and quietly steer you away from your bigger goals.
One way my wife and I fight this is by using an “Amazon Cart Day.” We drop anything we think we want into the cart, but only review it together once a week. By Friday, half the items magically don’t feel necessary anymore. Small systems like that create intentionality and keep your finances on track. Take a moment today to look at your last week of spending. What’s one “forgettable” purchase you could have skipped? Screenshot this section and share it with a friend as a money talk starter this week!
If one of these talking points stood out to you, go ahead and take that 1% step today. Track your spending, apply an intentional habit from another area of your life, or set up a small rule to pause your impulse buys. Then, have a money talk with a friend or partner about what you’re trying.
Which of these three areas are you going to focus on first? Hit reply and let me know, I’d love to hear your answer!
This week's Money Buddy
Justin, also known as Saving Sherpa and the co-host of The Financial Independence Show, grew up in rural Mississippi, where money was tight and opportunities were few. Inspired by his mom’s determination to break the cycle of poverty! By the age of 31, he reached financial independence. Justin shares his journey with complete transparency, showing every dollar he spends and saves. His story is one of resilience and resourcefulness, and he believes money is not just about numbers; it is a tool to create freedom and purpose!
Enjoy your week and get out there and have a money talk!
