You work hard for your income but at the end of the month, do you ever find yourself wondering where it all disappeared to? Whether you’re running a business, supporting a FIFO household, or juggling family life in regional WA, it’s easy for money to slip away quietly without making the kind of impact you were hoping for.

The first step to taking control comes from knowing exactly where your money goes.

The Basics: The Essentials That Keep You Going

First up is always the non-negotiables. These are the costs that form the foundation of your life or business. This list may also be different for every one – as long as your money is supporting your goals, there could be all sorts of items that others could consider frivolous or unnecessary.

We’re talking about:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Utilities and phone/internet
• Groceries
• Fuel and vehicle costs
• Insurance (personal, business, health)
• Childcare or school fees

These are often fixed or regular costs, and they tend to be the easiest to track. But they’re also the ones we sometimes underestimate. Maybe it feels like the grocery bill or utilities are getting more expensive each week, or you just forget how much it costs. Fuel costs creep up. Electricity bills grow when you’re not looking. This is why it’s worth reviewing your essential costs every few months just to check if they’re still working for you, or if it’s time to renegotiate, switch providers, or plan differently.

The Missing and the Forgotten: Where Money Slips Through the Cracks

This is the category that surprises most people, and where a lot of small leaks add up fast.

Here’s where your hard-earned money might be going without you realising:

• Old subscriptions you forgot to cancel
• Apps or software you don’t use anymore
• Missed bills that result in late fees
• Automatically renewed services you no longer need
• “Just in case” purchases that never get used
• Cash withdrawals with no clear purpose
• One-off emergencies that get paid for but never reviewed as to whether it should be in the budget for next year or not.

Even in business, there’s often software, subscriptions, or add-ons that were once useful but now just quietly drain the account. Take half an hour and go through your bank and credit card statements. Be curious. You might be surprised by what you find! A few small cancellations or corrections here can save hundreds each year, money you can redirect toward something more meaningful.

Building Your Future: The Good Kind of Outgoing

Once you know what’s essential and what’s waste, it’s time to ask a powerful question:

Is my money helping me build the life I want?

Future-focused spending might look like:

• Contributions to super or retirement accounts
• Investing in tools or training to grow your business
• Saving for a home, holiday, or buffer fund
• Paying down debts
• Putting money aside regularly for tax or big bills
• Setting up Profit First accounts to support your goals.

When you’re clear on your goals, you can direct your money to support them.  These kinds of expenses don’t just drain your balance – they grow your life.

They bring confidence. Progress. Options.

And even if you're starting small, you're still building something powerful.

Do You Know Where Your Money Goes?

If you’re not sure, or if you suspect the answer might be “not really” … you’re not alone.

The good news? This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness and taking back control, one transaction at a time.

Are you ready to dive deep into your money, find out where it’s really going and how to make it work better for you? We’re here to help! Click here to book our free cashflow chat!