Short answer
Start by tracking every expense for a few weeks to see where your money actually goes, then set a firm limit for your biggest problem category. Add small speed bumps like a waiting period before non-essential purchases, and move savings out on payday before you can spend them. Overspending is much easier to fix once it's visible.
Most overspending isn't one big purchase. It's many small ones that don't feel like much at the time.
Find out where it goes
Track every expense for two to four weeks. People are usually surprised by one category, often food, transport, or data. You can't fix what you can't see. Here's the easiest way to track your spending.
Set a limit for your biggest leak
Pick the category that surprised you most and give it a monthly limit. Focus on one category first rather than overhauling everything at once. See how to set a spending limit.
Save first, not last
Move your savings out as soon as money arrives. What you don't see, you're less likely to spend.
Add a waiting period
For anything that isn't essential, wait 48 hours before buying. Many urges pass.
Keep business and personal money apart
If you run a business, spending business money on personal things is a common hidden leak. See how to separate business and personal money.
Check in weekly
A quick weekly look at your totals keeps you honest and catches slips early.
Doing this in Gripd
Gripd shows your spending by category, and on the Basic and Pro plans you can set a monthly limit for any category. You get a heads-up at 80% of the limit, and if you go over, Gripd tells you straight away.
Last updated 29 Sept 2026
Related questions
How do I budget with irregular income?
Budget from your lowest typical month, not your best one, so your essentials are always covered. In good months, put the extra into a buffer that tops up the lean months. Think in percentages of what actually comes in rather than fixed amounts, and review every month.
Read the full answerHow do I make a budget?
Start with how much money you realistically expect this month, list your essential costs first, then decide how much goes to savings and how much is left for everything else. Track your spending against those amounts during the month. Review at the end of the month and adjust, because the first budget is rarely perfect.
Read the full answerHow do I set a spending limit for a category?
Look at what you spent in that category over the last one to three months, then set a monthly limit slightly below your average, so it's a real target but still achievable. Track spending in that category as you go and get a warning when you're close. Review the limit each month and adjust it.
Read the full answerHow much should I have in an emergency fund?
A common guideline is three to six months of essential expenses, meaning what you need for rent, food, transport, and bills, not your total spending. If your income is irregular or comes from a side hustle, aim for the higher end, around six months or more. Start with a smaller first goal, like one month, and build from there.
Read the full answerTrack it all in one place
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