Stop the Leak!

Money isn’t the destination—it’s the fuel that powers your journey. We all have places we want to go in life, but getting there requires a full tank. And if you’ve ever looked at your “financial gas gauge” and seen it hovering near empty, you know how stressful that can be.

For years, I lived paycheck to paycheck, constantly running on fumes. I was always trying to move forward, but my lack of financial structure kept me stranded. That’s when I decided to follow a simple system built around eight financial markers—each one a checkpoint toward a full tank of peace and purpose.

The first and most foundational marker? Spend less than you make.

Simple. But not always easy. We all know the math: if you spend more than you earn, you’ll end up empty. Yet most people struggle to live this out. Budgeting sounds good in theory, but how many of us actually stick to it? Too often, it becomes a source of frustration or conflict instead of a path to freedom.

When my wife and I started budgeting, I was excited about it—she wasn’t. Not because she didn’t care, but because sitting down to talk numbers while a baby cried in the background wasn’t her idea of fun. Over time, we learned that it wasn’t about building the perfect budget—it was about finding and fixing the leaks.

Find your leaks! Most expenses—your mortgage, utilities, gas—don’t change much month to month. The real problem is the little leaks:

• Eating out more than you realize.

• Quick gas station snacks that add up.

• Gift giving that comes from the heart but drains the wallet!
  

These leaks are subtle, but they sabotage your financial progress. To patch them up and truly spend less than you make, try these three proven strategies:

1. The Buddy System

Accountability changes everything. Find someone—a friend, mentor, or spouse—who will hold you to your goals. My wife is my built-in accountability partner. Before making an impulse buy, I run it by her. Whatever you have a leak in your budget, have a buddy who can be a buffer between you and an empty bank account. 

2. The 24-Hour Pause

Impulse spending is the enemy of progress. Online shopping, especially on Amazon, makes it too easy. Before you hit “Buy Now,” wait 24 hours. Let the emotional impulse fade and revisit the decision with a clear head. You’ll be surprised how often you decide you don’t really need that item after all.

3. Use Cash

If you really struggle to stop spending, go old school. Use cash. It’s inconvenient—and that’s exactly the point. When you physically hand over bills, you feel the weight of the transaction. That friction helps curb impulse buys and reinforces mindful spending.

To reach financial freedom, you must first stop the leaks. Spend less than you make, get a buddy, practice the 24 hour pause, and if needed, put cash between you and your purchases. Do this, and you’ll be well on your way to a full financial tank—ready to go wherever your journey leads.

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Zach Santmier is the owner of Trumble Agency, Inc. and the author of the personal financial course, Increase. He focuses on helping families escape paycheck to paycheck living so they can freely pursue their ideal future.