5 Quick Financial Wins for People Who "Don’t Have Time for Budgets"

Okay, so you’re busy, your calendar’s packed, and the idea of sitting down to “do a budget” feels about as appealing as eating a denim jacket. But here’s the thing: a few quick financial tweaks now can make your life easier—and richer—without you breaking a sweat.

1. Automate Your Savings (Because You Won’t Do It Yourself)
Be honest, you’ll say you’ll save at the end of the month, but Netflix and takeaways will say otherwise. Set up a standing order to whisk 10% of your pay into savings the day you get paid. Out of sight, out of mind… into the future.

2. Audit Your Subscriptions—Are You Funding Jeff Bezos’ Retirement?
Do you need three streaming services when you watch the same show every night? Go into your bank app, cancel the unused subscriptions, and boom—money saved. Bonus points for that feeling of smug satisfaction.

3. Free Money from Your Boss (Workplace Benefits)
Most people don’t look at their workplace benefits beyond “How much holiday do I get?” If your employer offers matched pension contributions, you’re literally leaving free money on the table. Take it.

4. Use a Budgeting App (It Does the Work for You)
Apps like Emma and Snoop automatically track your spending. You just download it, connect your accounts, and pretend you’re super organised.

5. The Small Debt Snowball Trick
Have small debts hanging around like unwanted guests? Pay them off first—it’s quick, satisfying, and frees up cash for bigger goals. Plus, you’ll feel like a financial ninja.

These steps take less time than scrolling Instagram, but the payoff? Big. You don’t have to “do finance” perfectly—just start somewhere. Future you will thank you.

p.s not advice obvs!