Where does my money go?“ That’s what my niece asked the other day while standing in front of her fridge like it owed her answers.
She looked tired when she said it — not just physically, but mentally.
“I make money… I swear I do… but it disappears like socks in the washing machine.”
That’s what my niece said the other day, standing in front of her fridge like it was going to answer her back. And honestly? I felt that.
I’ve heard it a hundred times, maybe more. From friends, students, working parents, and even people with decent salaries. It’s like your money walks into the room, waves, and slips out the back door while you’re still figuring out dinner.
She looked tired when she said it. Not just physically, but mentally. You know that feeling? When you’re doing everything right — working, paying bills, trying not to splurge — and somehow, the math still doesn’t add up?
I didn’t hit her with a lecture. That’s not how Uncle Abundance does it.
The Paycheck Fog Is Real
Here’s what I told her: “You’re not bad with money. You’re just in the fog.”
The paycheck fog is that blur that happens between payday and panic. You get paid, breathe for a second, maybe treat yourself a little… and next thing you know, you’re asking “where does my money go?” while checking your bank app like it’s a horror movie.
It’s not that you’re irresponsible — it’s that no one ever gave you the map.
Let’s Talk About Mapping Your Money
“Sometimes all it takes is one honest conversation to see clearly.”
We sat down at her tiny kitchen table, coffee in hand, and started with this question:
When your money lands in your account, the real question is “where does my money go?” — not in theory, but in real life.
Not where should it go — where does it go?
And this is what came out:
Rent
Food
The odd takeaway
Netflix
Random Amazon orders she forgot she even placed
Ubers
A gym membership, she thought she had cancelled last year
Woman working on a digital tablet in the new normal
She laughed halfway through. “I actually forgot I still pay for that gym. Wow.”
Exactly.
Where Does My Money Go? The Pattern That Keeps You Stuck
Most of us don’t have a spending problem, we have a “no-system system.” Money flows wherever it wants — fast, untracked, and often without purpose. That’s the fog.
What I showed her wasn’t a budget — she’d tried those, and they made her feel bad.
Instead, we drew a simple flow:
Income
Essentials (bills, food, transport)
Joy money — guilt-free spending, just smaller
Auto-save transfer — even £10 counts
Overflow account — where the rest waits before being touched
No spreadsheets. No judging. Just clarity.
What She Said Next
“Honestly, I feel better just seeing it. I thought I was just bad at this.”
Nope. No one taught you. That’s all.
Uncle A’s Quick Takeaway:
If you don’t know your money story, you can’t change it. And trust me — we all have one.
So here’s your small task this week:
Write down your last 10 purchases.
Ask yourself: Did this bring joy, fill a need, or just happen?
No guilt. Just honesty.
That’s where the fog starts to lift.
Need Help Finding Tools That Keep You on Track?
If you’re done guessing and Googling every money app under the sun, let Uncle Abundance save you the headache. Head to the Financial Planning section at topfinancialchoices.com. We’ve handpicked tools that actually work, so you can clear the fog and move forward, one smart step at a time.
You don’t need to become a spreadsheet genius. You just need to see clearly.
“You don’t need more money to feel in control — you need to know where it’s going.” — Uncle Abundance
Need extra help? If things still feel out of control — even after trying to track where your money goes — you’re not alone. Citizens Advice offers free, confidential guidance on managing debt and money worries.
Uncle Abundance believes in tools and support. Whatever you do, don’t stay stuck.
This article draws on insights from our team of financial educators, researchers, and real-world experts with decades of combined experience — because you deserve guidance that’s been lived, not just Googled.
Until next time, Uncle Abundance P.S. Always here with the kettle on and a financial truth bomb or two.
