These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
1Choose a way to record
Use a small notebook, receipts or a private phone note. Open the guide "Spending tracker worksheet: seven days". Write down cash, card and automatic payments. Mark transfers to savings separately so they are not counted as purchases twice.
2Write each purchase
Write down date, item, amount and payment method. If you forget, make an honest estimate and mark it as an estimate. Do not include full card numbers or passwords.
3Group the week
Add food, rides, housing, medicine, phone, fees and other purchases separately. Separate cash spending from SNAP purchases so the balances make sense.
4Choose one change you can live with
Example: Three $4 purchases total $12. Replacing one frees $4, not the whole $12. Look at fees and larger fixed costs too; small treats may not explain a big income gap.
5Use the result
Today: Write down your next purchase. After seven days, move the totals into your budget and choose one change to test.
6Handle cash, cards and transfers consistently
If you withdraw $40 from an ATM and spend $12 of it on groceries, the grocery purchase is $12; do not call both $40 and $12 spending. Write the withdrawal in a separate transfers note so you can explain the wallet balance.
Count a credit-card purchase in the purchase log, but label the later card payment as a debt payment, not another purchase of those groceries. Track that payment on your bill calendar. Loan principal, savings transfers and refunds need separate labels so category totals do not become misleading.
7Check a week without blaming yourself
For each day, match what you remember with receipts or a statement. If you cannot explain a transaction, write "check this" instead of inventing a category. Report an unfamiliar bank charge promptly through the bank's official channel.
Compare costs you control now with costs that need a bigger change. A $3 snack is not the cause of a $300 rent increase. Choose one useful experiment, such as avoiding an ATM fee or combining two shopping trips.
8Turn the totals into a decision
Write: This week I spent ____ on ____. Next week I will try ____. I will know it helped if ____.
Keep SNAP purchases separate from cash/card totals, and keep refunds separate until you match the original purchase. For a cash-flow check, also list payments actually leaving your accounts; do not add those to the purchases total as though they were all new purchases.
9Sources and more help
Reviewed November 1, 2026. General money education; individual circumstances differ.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tool/your-money-your-goals/toolkit/
More help like this
Was scammed or had their identity stolenUse when someone lost money to a scam, someone used their name or card, or they are getting threatening calls about money.Needs help filing taxes or getting a tax refundUse when someone needs free help filing taxes, or may get money back from tax credits even with little or no income.Behind on debts, payday loans, or getting calls from debt collectorsUse when someone is overwhelmed by debt, has payday or title loans, or debt collectors are calling or suing.Federal checks went electronic: set up Direct Express or direct depositUse when someone gets Social Security, SSI, VA or another federal payment and still got paper checks, lost a check, or has no bank account. Since Sept 30, 2025 most federal payments must go to a bank account or a Direct Express card.Money basics: choose a starting pointStart here for budgets, bills, banking, saving and debt. No paid app or bank account is needed.Not enough money to get through the monthUse when food, medicine, housing or transportation money will run out before the next payment.
See all guides in Money and benefits →
This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer
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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City,
575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.