Notebook Saved My Money Every Month




Books are one of my ways to save on daily expenses.
What method do you use to save your monthly salary, a discount system, an interest system, an installment system, or another system? You might not believe the system I use in my village. Yes, I only rely on a cheap notebook that I bought from the store across the street and some old pencils from my child's school. It sounds trivial, but it really helps me. So, what is my notebook system like?  

I used to try using a money app. The aim was to make everything easier, but in the end, it failed. Eventually, I just used that cheap notebook from the store across the street, and it actually helped a lot.

Money disappears quietly. You do not feel it. You buy a coffee for $0.50, a snack for $0.30, a cigarette for $0.20. Small amounts. You think it is nothing. But at the end of the month, you wonder, where did my $125 go? I worked hard for 30 days, but nothing is left.

That was my problem. I had no idea where my money went. I knew I spent it, but I did not know for what. My wife asked me, and I could not answer. I felt like a fool.

One day I went to a small shop and bought a notebook. It cost $0.50. And a pen for $0.20. Total $0.70. That $0.70 changed my financial life.

My Simple Notebook System

I do not write complicated things. I only write 3 columns. Date, Item, and Cost. That is all.

Example from my real notebook last week:

May 5 - Rice 3kg - $2.50
May 5 - Gasoline - $2.00
May 6 - Vegetables - $0.80
May 6 - Phone data - $1.50
May 7 - Snack for child - $0.40
May 7 - Coffee - $0.30 - (This was my mistake)

Every night before sleep, I take 2 minutes to write. Not in the morning. At night, so I remember everything. I do not hide anything. Even if I buy candy for $0.10, I write it.

What I Learned After 30 Days

After 30 days, I read my notebook again. I was shocked.

I spent $12 in one month just for coffee and snacks outside. $12! That is almost 10% of my salary. If I make coffee at home, it only costs $2 per month. I wasted $10.

I spent $8 for online delivery fees. Because I was lazy to go to the market. $8 is 4 days of food for my family.

The notebook did not judge me. It just showed me the truth. The truth was painful, but I needed it.

How The Notebook Controls Me

Now, before I buy something, I think: Do I want to write this in my notebook? If it is embarrassing, I do not buy it.

Last week I wanted to buy a new t-shirt for $6. I took my notebook and I saw my emergency envelope was only $15. I asked myself, will I be proud to write "T-shirt $6" in my book? No. So I did not buy it. I still wear my old shirt.

The notebook is my boss. It is cheap, but it is honest.

Result

Because of this $0.50 notebook, I now save $20 more every month. In 8 months, that is $160. I never thought a cheap notebook could save that much.

I have 3 notebooks now. One for this year, one for last year, and one for my savings record. When I feel poor, I open my savings notebook and I feel rich again.

Final Thought

You do not need a fancy money app that needs internet. You need a $0.50 notebook and honesty. Start tonight. Buy a notebook tomorrow morning. Write every dollar you spend for 7 days. After 7 days, you will see where your money really goes.

It is not magic. It is just awareness.

FAQ

Q: What if I forget to write one day?
Write it the next morning. Try to remember. If you forget, just estimate. It is better to estimate than to stop.

Q: Do you show this notebook to your wife?
Yes. Every Sunday night we open it together. So we both know where we stand. No more fighting about money.

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