Why Knowing Your True Spending Number Changes Everything

You can’t create a financial plan around guesses—and yet that’s what most people do every month.

They guess their bills. They guess their food spending. They guess how much they’ll save.

Let’s stop guessing.

Your True Spending Number is what it really costs to maintain your current life. That includes bills, food, transportation, lifestyle habits, and the occasional coffee stop. It’s not a made-up goal. It’s your real baseline.

This number gives you clarity about:

• Why you feel like your paycheck disappears

• Why your savings aren’t growing

• Why you always feel behind

To calculate it:

1. Pull your last 3 months of bank and credit card statements.

2. Add up every expense—don’t leave out hair appointments, Amazon orders, or convenience store snacks.

3. Divide the total by 3. That’s your monthly average.

Now compare that to your income. Does your budget reflect that number, or a wishful one?

A client of mine discovered she was spending $900/month more than she thought. Not on luxury items—but on small daily decisions that added up.

Once she adjusted her numbers, she wasn’t just less stressed—she made smarter decisions, and was finally able to save consistently.

Knowing your number changes how you plan, save, and live.