Ah, spring.

It’s that time of year when we clean up and clear out. But what if we include more than just our house in the decluttering process?

Life has a way of throwing curveballs—new jobs, marriage, divorce, babies, retirement… you name it. And just when you think you’ve got your finances figured out, boom! Everything changes.

If your financial situation already feels like a tangled mess of accounts, bills, and random subscriptions you forgot about (looking at you, streaming service #4), a big life change can make things even more stressful. That’s why simplifying your finances before—or during—a transition is one of the best things you can do for your sanity.

Let’s break it down, make it easy, and maybe even have a little fun along the way.

Financial transitions are already a lot to handle. Whether you’re dealing with a new income, adjusting expenses, or signing an overwhelming stack of paperwork, keeping your money simple can make all the difference.

When your finances are streamlined, you:
Stress less – Fewer accounts, fewer headaches.
Make smarter decisions – Clarity = confidence.
Save time – No more digging through statements wondering, What even is this charge?
Adapt more quickly – When life changes, your money moves with you, not against you.

So, how do we declutter the financial mess? Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Clean Up Your Accounts

Ever feel like you have too many bank accounts, credit cards, or investment apps? If managing your money feels like a part-time job, it’s time to consolidate.

Keep it simple: One checking account, one savings account, and only the credit cards you actually use. (Unless you have a specific account set up as a Christmas, vacation, emergency etc. fund)
Close unused accounts: That old savings account with $3.27 in it? Time to say goodbye.

Action Step: Make a list of all your accounts and see which ones you can combine or close. Less is more!

Step 2: Put Your Money on Autopilot

Life is busy. The last thing you need is to remember 15 different bill due dates. Automate your finances and let your money do the work for you.

Set up auto-pay for bills so you never miss a payment.
Automate savings – Pay yourself first before you spend a dime.
Direct deposit wisely – If possible, send a portion straight to savings so you never even miss it.

Action Step: Log into your bank and set up automatic transfers for savings and bills. Future-you will be grateful.

Step 3: Cancel the “Money Drains”

We’ve all signed up for things we don’t use (RIP to that gym membership we swore we’d use). These sneaky subscriptions add up fast.

Go through your bank or credit card statements – Find any recurring charges that don’t serve you.
Cancel what you don’t need – No shame in ditching that online magazine subscription from 2017.

Action Step: Check your subscriptions right now. Bonus points if you cancel at least one today!

Step 4: Simplify Your Budget (No Fancy Spreadsheets Required)

If budgeting sounds as fun as a root canal, you’re doing it wrong. Instead of tracking 57 categories, you can try the 50/30/20 rule:

• 50% Needs (rent, food, bills)
• 30% Wants (fun money, entertainment)
• 20% Savings & Debt Payoff

That’s it. Simple, flexible, and easy to follow.

Action Step: Take a look at your spending and see where you can adjust to fit this method.

Step 5: Get Rid of Debt Faster

Debt is like an unwanted houseguest—it sticks around longer than you’d like and costs you money. Paying off debt faster will free up cash for things you actually want. Choose your weapon…

Tackle high-interest debt first (going for the avalanche).

Payoff the smallest debt first and use the momentum to payoff the rest of your debt. (aka snowballing)

Action Step: Make a list of all your debts and choose one to start paying off. Even small extra payments help!

Step 6: Build an Emergency Fund (Because Life Happens)

Car repairs, medical bills, or oops-I-forgot-about-that expenses pop up when you least expect them. A safety net of 3–6 months of expenses can save you from panic mode.

Start small: Even $500 is better than nothing.
Make it automatic: Set up a tiny weekly transfer into savings—you won’t even notice.

Action Step: If you don’t have an emergency fund, open a savings account today and put in whatever you can then be consistent even if adding only $5 a week.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Stay in Control

When life throws a big change your way, don’t let your finances add to the chaos. By simplifying now, you’ll be ready for anything—job changes, new adventures, or just a little more peace of mind. And hey, if you need some help getting things in order, I’ve got your back.