When You Finally Check Your Spending

I went out today to get a few things. They were the normal, regular stuff I thought I needed. You know those moments when you tell yourself, “I am not spending much today… just these and I am back home,” and somehow, you end up spending more than you planned? Well, that was me today.

When I got home, I decided to sit down and calculate how much I had actually spent, considering the fact that I bought some items that weren’t on my list but knew were important, just that I forgot to add them. I only started remembering when I got to the market and sighted them one by one. By the time I was done, I screamed in shock. I couldn’t believe the total. Not even when I thought I didn't have much money with me. I literally stared at the paper for a few seconds, thinking I was dreaming.

I said, “Wait, how did I spend this much? Did I have this amount, or where did it come from?” The truth? It wasn’t like I bought anything extravagant, just the necessities to keep us surviving like adults. Yet, the total didn’t seem to agree with my expectation.

Later, I was talking with my sister about it, and we both laughed at how easy it is to spend money without realising it. Not to forget, we thanked God for the blessings because that’s the first thing I don’t fail to do. You step out with a certain amount, buy a few things here and there, and before you know it, it’s gone like the wind. Money is indeed a spirit that leaves your hand once it gets to you - the way it comes, it goes quietly.

Sometimes, this isn’t about carelessness; prices in the market have gone up so much that even the small things add up fast. But still, the shock is always there - like the feeling when you finally sit down to calculate and then you realise how hard it hit.

It was at that moment that I gave it a thought again about how we handle our daily spending. I have a few people around me and many others out there who don’t take time to track how much goes out of their pockets until their wallets start crying for help when some things aren’t adding up. It’s easy to overlook the little amounts because they don’t seem much or obvious, but when you start adding them together, you realise they actually matter a lot.

This small experience taught me that being aware is everything when it comes to money. It’s a skill one must learn to manage their finance, not to become a reckless spender. Being intentional with our spending doesn’t make us stingy; it just makes us mindful. It’s about tracking our money and knowing where it’s going, even if it’s just on small things. My sister was surprised when she saw how I record even a small amount of things I bought on my budget app. Because truth be told, those small things are usually what drain us the most.

Here is my takeaway from the whole thing: before you step out, make a list. Don't just go out without holding one, thinking you know everything you need to buy, because you might be caught unexpectedly buying things you don’t even need at all. Even if it’s a rough list, just make one and decide what is truly necessary. Try to note what you spend on. This isn’t about restriction but rather understanding your habits. You will be surprised at how much difference being aware can make over time.

Money has a funny way of disappearing if you don’t keep an eye on it. And to be honest, sometimes, you have to sit down after a long day to calculate what you spent and then shake your head at the result you get. It’s time to be more conscious.

_{Images are mine}