The First 30 Days Money Checklist

When everything feels up in the air, money is the part that responds fastest to a little order. You do not need a plan for the whole year, just the next thirty days, one small step at a time.

Week 1: find the paper

The goal this week is not decisions. It is knowing what exists and where it lives.

• List every bank and credit card account you can find, yours and joint.
• Locate the last two statements for each one.
• Note where recurring bills are set to auto-pay from.

Week 2: know your numbers

Once the paper is gathered, a clearer picture forms almost on its own.

• Add up what comes in each month, from every source.
• List the fixed costs that must be paid no matter what.

Weeks 3 and 4: set up what is yours

With the picture in front of you, the first independent steps get much easier to take.

• Open one account in your name only, if you do not have one.
• Redirect one recurring payment or deposit to it, to start.

If this is already a lot, that is okay. You do not have to finish in one sitting, or even this week. Doing one line is doing the thing.