In just a few simple steps, you can take control of your money, instead of feeling like it controls you.

Whether you have a little money or a lot, the following steps will help you become a better money manager and saver so you can enjoy more of the good things in life.

Step 1. Set up your Budget

You can create one quickly and easily using our Expense Tracker.

When logged in, go to Account > Linked accounts > 'Link provider'. Find your financial institution from the list. Enter your banking access details and when done, select 'I've linked all my financial institutions, run the Expense Tracker'. Go to your personalised Dashboard where you'll see how you're spending your money each month.

Because it's linked to your account (preferably where your pay goes and make regular transaction from)it'll reflect your daily transactions. When linked to yourfinancial plans, you know exactly how they're doing and how soon you'll be able to achieve them.

Please note we don't store any of your login details or share your data. To protect your personal and financial information weuse the same browser encryption as banks.

Alternatively, use paper or an online tool like ASIC Moneysmart's Budget planner. Gather your statements so you can see what money you have coming in over a set period, such as monthly. Record these amounts in your Budget planner.

Step 2. See where your money's going

If you're using the Expense Tracker, this is done for you (you can view several months worth of expenses in graphs). Go to step 3.

If not using the Expense Tracker, enter expenses like repayments, groceries, health funds, etc in your Budget planner.

If you’re using ASICs, it adds everything up for you in specific categories (our Expense Tracker does that too).

Step 3. See where you can cut back and save

Separate needs from wants. Making debt repayments takes priority over say, a new pair of shoes.

Cut back on wants (ie non-essential items like subscriptions).

Step 4. Set yourself a spending limit, an allowance if you will

This is all you have to cover essential expenses until your next pay. Anything left should be put into savings for unexpected emergencies.

Step 5. Keep track of your money and set reminders

Read your statements to ensure every dollar is accounted for and working for you, not someone else. Reminders will help you stay on track.