Stop Treating Your Savings Account Like That Guy Who 'Just Needs Space': How to Actually Start Saving Money
By Nina — I'm the friend who tells you what you need to hear about your situationship. ·
Stop Pretending You Don’t Have the Funds
Listen, let’s be real. It’s July 2026, the heat in Brooklyn is hovering somewhere between 'mildly uncomfortable' and 'I’m melting into the subway platform,' and I’m looking at your bank statements. Okay, metaphorically. But I know the deal. You’re telling yourself you’ll start saving money once you get that promotion, or once the rent prices stabilize, or once you stop buying iced oat milk lattes that cost as much as a small country’s GDP.
Stop. You sound exactly like the guy who told me he wasn’t ready to commit because he 'needed to find himself' while he was actively sliding into everyone’s DMs. You’re lying to yourself. Saving money isn't about having a surplus at the end of the month; it’s about choosing your own peace over the temporary dopamine hit of a late-night swipe on a shopping app.
The 'Situationship' Spending Habit
We love to spend money on things that don’t give us anything back. It’s the fiscal equivalent of a situationship. You’re putting all this energy, time, and—in this case—actual folding money into something that makes you feel anxious, hides your true potential, and leaves you feeling empty when the package arrives two days later.
I stopped dating losers who made me feel like an option, and I stopped spending money like I was trying to impress people I don't even like. When you stop treating your wallet like a bottomless pit of 'treat yourself' energy, you actually start building a life that doesn't rely on a credit card to stay afloat. You want to save money? You have to start by ghosting your impulsive spending habits.
Automate It Like You Mean It
If you have to manually transfer money to your savings account, you’re never going to do it. You don’t have that kind of willpower, and honestly, why should you? You’re tired, you’re busy, and you don’t need to add 'financial accountant' to your daily to-do list.
Set up an auto-transfer for the day your paycheck hits. Don't wait to 'see what’s left over.' If you wait to see what’s left, nothing will be there. Treat your savings like a recurring subscription you can’t cancel. If it leaves your checking account before you even see it, you’ll stop counting it as 'spendable' money. It’s the financial version of ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ but for your own good.
The 48-Hour Rule (Or: How to Stop Being a Clout-Chaser)
I know you saw something on TikTok that promised to change your life—a viral skincare set, a specific pair of boots, a gadget you’ll use once. Before you hit 'buy now,' force yourself to wait 48 hours. Most of these things are impulse buys triggered by a momentary need for a mood boost. If you still want the item after two days, fine. But 90% of the time, the urge fades.
This isn't about being cheap; it's about being intentional. You’re a grown-ass adult. You don't need to chase every retail trend just because you saw an influencer with a ring light tell you it’s 'essential.' You know what’s essential? Not being stressed when your car needs a repair or you get hit with a surprise bill. That’s the real flex.
Audit Your 'Fun' Money
I’m not saying you should never go out. I live in Brooklyn; I’m not about to suggest you sit in your apartment staring at a wall for the next year. But look at your bank statement. How much of your money is going to services, apps, and 'just because' drinks that you don't even remember enjoying?
Cancel the subscriptions you don't use. Stop paying for the gym membership you haven't visited since February. Take that money and put it into a High-Yield Savings Account. It’s not sexy, but watching your money grow without having to do a single thing? That’s the ultimate form of self-care. It’s like having a partner who actually supports your growth instead of draining your batteries.
You Are Your Own Safety Net
I spent three years in a relationship where I was constantly compromising my own peace to keep the peace. When I finally walked away, I realized that the only person who can truly guarantee my safety and my future is me. Saving money is just another way of saying, 'I trust myself to handle whatever comes next.'
Stop waiting for a windfall. Stop waiting for the 'right time.' Start small, stay consistent, and stop letting your bank account dictate your self-worth. You are worth more than the stuff you own.
So, what’s one thing you’re going to cut out this week? I’m serious—hit me up in the DMs or drop a comment. Let’s hold each other accountable, because we’ve got bigger things to do than stay broke for the sake of a temporary aesthetic.
Talk soon,
Nina