This trait of mine means I struggle to save money. To combat this, I decided I need to really crack down on my saving goals. I created categories based on how long it would take to reach each savings goal, and sharing them today.

Micro savings goals

Goals you can achieve in the next few months

Some goals are small but mighty. Let’s free ourselves from the idea that every savings goal needs to be a major multi-year affair.

Micro savings goals are like saving sprints, AKA a goal you could reasonably achieve in two to three months. If you’re new to the savings game, these goals are the perfect warmups to start with.

What does a micro savings goal look like? Think lower-cost expenses that aren’t part of your ordinary routine, like saving up extra cash for upcoming holiday gifts. Or perhaps a small change to your lifestyle, like joining your local gym. (Doing a workout class in the living room while your roommate meal preps isn’t the move anymore.)

What’s my budgeting strategy for a micro savings goal? Try a category swap. This technique is when you cut spending in one high spend category, and apply those dollars to your savings goal.

Let’s put it into practice. Say you’re planning to get gifts for your entire extended family for the holidays, and last year you spent about $400. Pick a category where your spend would add up to the price of gifts, like clothes or eating out, and cut spending there. Take the money you would’ve spent, and put it into your fund. This way, you build up your savings, and ensure you aren’t spending more than you have on presents for Grandma.

Short term savings goals

Goals you can achieve in about a year

What about goals that are a little loftier than micro savings goals? That’s where short term goals come in. These goals require more intensive budgeting and planning, as they are usually tied to bigger lifestyle changes. Thus, it can take up to a year to reach them.

A perf example of a short term goal would be getting your first pet. Or if you are looking to stamp your passport, perhaps a big international trip. Your travel influencer career might be about to pop off!

The key part of these short term goals is that they require some research to determine how much they cost, and how it would fit into future budgets. Pets have fees associated with purchasing them, even if you are rescuing them from a shelter. Plus you need insurance, toys, supplies, and more. And you need to budget extra time to run their dedicated social media handles!!

How do I approach short term savings goals? Work backwards from your goal’s launch date. Determine the amount of $$$ you need to make this goal happen, and divide it by the number of months you have until your goal. That’s how much money you need to put aside each month. If that’s too much math for you, the Chase Savings Calculator makes it simple.

Say you’ve been craving fresh feta and are planning a trip to Greece next year. Find out the price of travel, lodging, and determine food and experience costs. Let’s just say the total would be $2,723 and you’re heading there in 13 months. Using the method above, you’d need to save $209.46 every month until then to make it happen.

Medium term savings goals

Goals you can achieve in one to three years

Medium is more than how I order my steak. It’s also how I describe goals that can take one to three years to achieve.

Big events like weddings or moving to a new city could fall under this umbrella, but I also want to bring your attention to a new category of purchases: the Level Up-grades. This is what happens when you leave behind the household products you’ve had since early adulthood that are probably falling apart as we speak.

Some examples of Level Up-grades that would def be worth it:

• New mattress. Memory foam is calling your name.

• A more reliable car. Leave the auto shop behind.

• New furniture that isn’t particle board. And in the future you might even pay to have someone else build it.

• A coffee shop-grade espresso machine.

If you’re a few years out from affording any Level Up-grades, it’s a good call to start saving now, especially if you think you’ll need to replace any of your expensive purchases. You might not always be thinking of these upgrades, but speaking from personal experience, there’s nothing more humbling than the desk you’ve had since undergrad collapsing on you.

The trick to staying on track with a medium term savings goal? Remove the temptation to spend. That’s why my budgeting tip here is to try the zero budget.

The zero budget is simple: ensure every dollar you earn has a job to do. Every time you get paid, allocate each dollar to a different bucket, like bills, groceries, entertainment, and, of course, Level Up-grades savings. This way, you are acutely aware of where each dollar is going, and you can’t be tempted to spend a little of your future memory foam mattress money on an iced latte.

Long term savings goals

Goals you can achieve in three years or more

Let’s look to the future. Envision your life in a few years. Are there any major financial decisions you want to be saving up for? That’s a long term savings goal, baby.

You shouldn’t be surprised by the examples of long term goals, they’re kind of the greatest hits of savings targets. Think saving up for the wedding of your dreams, a high end car, or tuition for higher education. It’s never too early to start saving for retirement too………….

But when long term savings goals are so intangible, how can you remember to save for them? I can barely remember to refill the filtered water pitcher, let alone put away money for a mortgage. That’s where automatic saving features come into play. That’s my top tip for this type of goal. Features like Chase Autosave automatically pull a set dollar amount into your savings account, so you can seamlessly save for whatever goal your heart desires.

When I started this saving category breakdown a few years ago, it helped me a lot. No matter if you’re saving for Grandma’s present or grad school tuition, there’s a saving strategy that can have your back. Now I can actually save up for any cat-themed interior decor I see online.

go for the goals,
the paper stacker

Important legal disclaimers

Calculating tools are provided as a courtesy to help you estimate your financial needs. Results shown are estimates only. Message and data rates may apply from your service provider.

This calculator helps you determine the length of time you will need to save in order to meet a savings goal. This calculator assumes you save with a tax-advantaged account. The time to reach your savings goal is calculated by reducing your savings goal by any initial deposit and then dividing the savings goal by the amount of deposits recurring within a monthly timeframe. For example, if your initial deposit is $120 and monthly recurring deposits of $200 are planned, reaching a savings goal of $1200 is calculated to take 6 months. ($1200 - $120 / ($200/month) = 5.4 months. This calculator rounds to the next whole month.

Autosave is available to customers with a Chase checking and Chase savings account, excluding Chase First Banking^SM accounts.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

If you’re a current student, there’s a good chance your financial situation is just as important to you as your degree. Class is in session, let’s chat about all the ways you can save money in college.

Anthropology 101: Enrolling full-time vs part-time

One of the biggest factors affecting your tuition cost is if you have full-time or part-time status as a student.

There is no set rule on what defines full-time status, as it varies school by school, so check with your financial aid office. However, the Department of Education defines full-time student status as being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per term. This definition also helps you understand what federal aid you may be eligible for.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of each status.

Full-time

• Pros: You can fully immerse yourself into your studies, and you tend to graduate quicker since you have a full class load. Plus, students with full-time status are generally eligible for more scholarships and grants

• Cons: Full-time status makes it harder to earn money outside of classes, and the tuition bill per semester will be higher than part-time.

Part-time

• Pros: You have more flexibility as a part-time student. This allows you to take on additional work or family responsibilities. You also can gain relevant experience in the field you wish to enter after graduating.

• Cons: Being a part-time student ultimately means you will take a longer time to earn your degree than your full-time counterparts.

In my personal experience, a lot of high school grads think full-time is the default choice for higher education, and will bend over backwards to make the budget for that happen. Going part-time can have a stigma against it. I had a friend in high school who was hesitant at first to tell us he was taking on his degree part-time, even though we all had his back.

Sure, going part-time might not be the “college experience” you see in TV shows and movies, but if it makes financial sense for you, make that choice. Plus, you can change your status at any time. Great news for indecisive people like myself.

Geography 101: Where to Find Jobs

Ok, so now that you’re on campus, you might want to find a job to help knock down some of that tuition. Thankfully, there are nooks and crannies around your campus where you can find employment. Here’s a few of my faves.

Work study jobs
Start with your school! From IT help desks to library staff, there are tons of options on campus that have flexible hours and don’t require extensive experience. Most colleges have an employment section on their website where you can see open positions. Plus, you can ask your friends to come visit you on boring shifts, since they’ll all be living close to your place of work.

Teaching assistant
If you had a good experience with a professor, ask them if they have any TA roles for upcoming classes. It’s a great way to network, and continue thriving in a subject you found success in.

Tutoring
Tutoring is where it’s at. You can see if your college offers tutoring for other students, or reach out to third party companies to see if you can tutor high school or middle school students. Put your knowledge from your classes to good use.

National chains
If you aren’t feeling the on-campus job life, many national chains of restaurants or retail stores will offer tuition reimbursement for employees who are students. Some even have this benefit for part-time employees. There can be some stipulations, like your degree may have to match the industry of your job, so check how each program works. This way, you can earn cash from your paycheck, and also eventually help with your tuition. Win-win.

Work in your field
Ask your professors if they have any recommendations for a local job or internship that can provide experience in your chosen field of study. Get cash, and get skills for your future.

Economics 101: Hidden Ways to Save

When you are paying for your own education, every penny counts. These are some helpful reminders on where you can use your student status to save away.

Student discounts
Tons of companies offer discounts to students, from streaming services to local lunch spots. Use your .edu email address or student ID to gain access. Make sure to enroll in as many as possible to take full advantage.

Card rewards
If you’re putting books, supplies or other expenses on your credit or debit card, make sure you’re redeeming cash back rewards if your card offers them. Every reward can help you offset your bills. Check if there are certain retailers you’ll get even extra money from, and plan your budget accordingly.

Loyalty programs
Join every single loyalty program possible. They’re free to join, and you never know when you’ll earn a little extra treat. Nothing feels better than opening your wallet, and realizing you can redeem a punch card for a free cup of coffee.

Dining dollars
If you’re a part of your college’s dining program, make sure you’re using your dining dollars wisely. Don’t leave any of them on the table at the end of the semester, especially if they don’t roll over. See where on campus you can spend them, and get your money’s worth.

Final study session before our midterm exam

Sorry if that was triggering. There’s no quiz, just a little recap of what we learned today. We really packed a whole semester’s worth of information into just one newsletter.

Tuition may be an overwhelming number at the start of every semester, but setting yourself up for success is simple. Start by picking the right student status for you, finding a job that works for your schedule, and using student perks to your benefit.

your practical professor,
the paper stacker

Important legal disclaimers

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The happy couple actually met on a dating app, but they spent their first date doing laundry together at a laundromat. They got to know each other while their wash cycles ran, played card games, and even helped each other fold those pesky fitted sheets. My heart just swooned. <33333333333333

And hello, this sounds great! Dating can be expensive if dinner and a movie is your go-to. I don’t think I have many more $17 movie tickets in me. If your budget has been holding you back from finding your potential husband or wife, then maybe you need to rethink what type of dates you could go on. There’s tons of cheap or free.99 date ideas out there.

Have you heard of choremancing?

My coworker’s first date at that laundromat is a prime example of choremancing. That’s where you use chores or errands as settings for early dates. There’s practically endless possibilities for a choremance date.

Grocery shopping
We all need to eat! Take a potential suitor to your local grocer. Compare cheese preferences, find a new snack to split, or even shop for a picnic or dinner to enjoy together after the fact.

Furniture browsing
Buying new furniture or decor is daunting. Two people working together to carry out furniture is much easier than trying to awkwardly lift a table solo.

Explore a farmer’s market
If grocery stores aren’t your jam, hit up a farmer’s market with your date. Meet local vendors and artisans, get your steps in, and try all the free samples you can. Fresh air makes shopping so much more fun.

Vintage shopping
Shopping for vintage clothes is not a one-person job. You always need a second opinion if the piece is a good find. If you hit the item limit for the dressing rooms, another set of hands to hold the extra items is pretty helpful. Plus, Friend of the Newsletter Viv Chen has some tips on how to accurately judge clothing items while thrifting. It would be pretty impressive to show them off on a first date.

Getting your car washed
Want all the fun of a foam party with none of the clean up? Take a date with you to get your car washed. Bonus points if they are willing to help vacuum up some of those pesky crumbs stuck under your seats.

More date inspo

Maybe you’ve done your chores for the week, or just need some other ideas for budget dates. Here’s some other ways you can explore a connection without hurting your wallet.

Go gardening
If you and your date have a love for plants, then pick some out at a greenhouse together. You can guess each other’s type of plant, and even go home and pot them together. I give this date idea two green thumbs up.

Hit the gym
Now, this only works if it’s confirmed you both are avid gymgoers, but it’s fun to explore a new workout spot. Utilize that guest pass, or take someone to your fav workout class. A little sweat + endorphins just might lead to a spark.

Walk your dog
If you or your date has a doggie son or daughter, maybe extra company on the walk will be a casual way to get to know each other. Plus if you win over their pet, you get major brownie points.

Volunteer together
See if a local park has a trash clean-up day, or spend some time together at a local food bank. If your date agrees to this, then you already know your morals are aligned too.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but hopefully it gets the wheels turning on ways you can try out some new ways to date.

Pros of low cost date ideas

Why broaden your dating horizons beyond coffee shops or dinner?

• It’s great for your wallet

  • The costs of dating add up! If you’re eating out, seeing a movie, or grabbing drinks consistently, it can put a dent in your budget. Even if you’re splitting the check, or taking turns paying, paying for transportation can add up too. These date ideas cut down on costs pretty dramatically. You can even see how much you’re saving with a tool like this one from Chase.

• It’s great on the date

  • There’s no longer any awkwardness about who is going to pay, or if you’re going to split. Keep the good times going!

• It’s great for your fun money budget

  • Now you don’t need to be as stressed about over-spending on a date where it doesn’t work out. Worst case scenario, you got an errand done.

• It’s great for your time management

  • Dating takes so much time out of your week. Balancing work, friends, chores, and dating can be difficult. So why not knock out two birds with one stone?

• It’s great for envisioning your future

  • I believe these low stakes dates are pretty beneficial early on in the dating process. If you enter a long term relationship with someone, these chores are ultimately what’s going to be the bulk of your time together.

Finding love without finding yourself draining your bank account? It’s more likely than you think. Next time you’re planning a date, skip the movie tix, and share a cup of detergent at the laundromat. Who knows, doing something simple on a date could lead to an exciting and fulfilling relationship.

future choremance novel author,
the paper stacker

Important legal disclaimers

Calculating tools are provided as a courtesy to help you estimate your financial needs. Results shown are estimates only. Message and data rates may apply from your service provider.

This tool helps you determine the amount of money you could save by reducing monthly expenses. Because you do not enter income tax rates, the calculator assumes you save with a tax-advantaged account. Your estimated annual reduction in spending is calculated by (1st expense *12) + (2nd expense * 12) + (3rd expense * 12) = annual amount that could be saved. For example 1st expense = $50, 2nd expense = $60, and 3rd expense = $40, the estimated reduction in your expenses is $1,800 ($50 * 12) + ($60 * 12) + ($40 * 12) = $1,800.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a gig worker or freelancer who can set their own schedule, work for themselves, and be in control of their own financial future. Pretty lofty goal. Or is it?

I support you in going full-on gig work to achieve your dreams, but it wouldn’t be very paper stacker of me to not give some financial advice first. There’s some wise money choices gig workers can make to set themselves up for success. Thankfully, I’ve put together a handy checklist that covers some of the major financial milestones gig workers should hit before going out on their own.

Before we get into the checklist, let’s define a gig worker together. In this newsletter, I’m using gig worker as a catch-all term for someone who makes their own hours and as a result has fluctuating, inconsistent income. Whether you are working as a rideshare driver, pursuing full-time content creation, or freelancing as a wedding jazz cellist, that all qualifies as a gig worker under this definition. Maybe you’re a hybrid ride share driver who films themselves rehearsing for cello solos. That would be taking gig work to the next level.

Now let’s see if you can check all the finance boxes:

Have you built up your savings?

You knew this one was coming. Gig work can be more inconsistent compared to a 9-to-5 or shift-based job. Having some savings helps you live comfortably, and avoid stress. Let’s focus on the fun parts of gig work, not be stressed every month about our finances.

In general, regardless of your employment type, it’s ideal to have an emergency fund of at least 3 months of living expenses. I would say emergency funds in general hover between 3 and 6 months worth of funds, so stop where you feel comfortable. But you should be reserving that money for true emergencies, such as unexpected medical bills or abrupt changes in living arrangements.

But if you’re extra committed to having an additional safety net, you could also build up a “Slow Work Savings” bucket of about a month of living expenses. This is nice when jobs aren’t coming in consistently, or if one falls through at the last minute. The more in your bucket, the more flexibility you have. It’s kind of like an emergency fund for your emergency fund. Very meta.

Plus, building up an emergency fund or “Slow Work Savings” fund is a great financial goal to aim for before becoming a full-time gig worker. It gives you a starting point for when you feel comfortable enough to take the plunge. That’s the strategy Friend of the Newsletter Viv Chen used when she became a freelance writer.

Have you tried a test run?

Going to full-time gig life is a big jump, and one where you need to get a lay of the land. May I suggest a trial to see what it might look like?

If you are able to snag some gigs part-time between your other types of employment, it’s a great way to get a taste of what your full-time life could feel like. Not only does it give you an idea of the type of opportunities available to you, but also an idea of what your income could be.

After seeing how much you make part-time, do some simple calculations to see what your full-time income could be. For example, if you worked 5 hours of gig work a week, you could reasonably assume your income would be around $30 an hour on average. This estimation is key to locking in your budget, but we’ll get to that later.

This is also a great reminder that just as easily as you start your gig life, you can stop at any time. I had a friend who decided to become a freelance graphic designer, tried it for six months, didn’t vibe with how much networking it required and went back to a corporate design job. This decision is not legally binding, just be emotionally prepped to hit the job market again.

Do you know how you’ll be paid?

When you’re a gig worker, payment is pretty non-standard. You get income in a variety of ways. Sure there’s plain old boring bi-weekly, but you could also be paid monthly, weekly, or even daily.

There are also invoices, where you can be paid once the work is complete. But some invoice arrangements include advance payments, or payment at key project checkpoints. Never a dull day when it comes to how gigs pay you! Do some research to find out the standard for your industry, either through networking or relevant communities online. This is another reason why a test run could give you some valuable insight.

Can you build an accurate budget?

Budgeting as a gig worker is pretty tricky. Not only do you have income coming in at irregular intervals, you might have multiple sources of income. Plus, you might be taking on more business expenses than the average worker.

We’ve covered building budgets before, so here’s a couple tips on building a gig worker budget:

• Budgeting monthly is probably the easiest time interval you can use for your budget. Every 30 days, ensure you have enough capital to cover all your expenses.

• Keep your income and expenses organized per type of gig work you do. Try color coding in a spreadsheet, or a budgeting app that allows you to create categories.

• Review your budget on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. You’ll likely need to adjust it more than the average worker, since you’ll have more fluctuation in your income.

• Keep an eye on expenses you could adjust to help with your freelancer life. Try a tool like Chase Bank’s Budget Management tool

Have you chatted with an accountant?

You might be thinking, “An accountant? I’m not that successful yet.” but you’re kinda like a small business owner now. Just a small business of one, which makes it really easy to have a team lunch.

Chatting with an accountant who specializes in freelance or gig work can make all the difference in setting you up for success. An initial consultation can result in advice on how to stay organized, how to approach setting aside funds for taxes, and more.

Speaking of taxes, it also could be useful to see an accountant around tax season. Filing taxes with multiple streams of income can be very complicated, especially on your first go-round. Yes, it’ll cost some $$$, but it could be worth it to save yourself the time, and to get a pro’s opinion. Do it right, instead of doing it twice.

Did you check everything off?

This checklist is a great starting point for the financial side of becoming a gig worker. If you didn’t check everything off, now you have a roadmap. See if you can do all of this in three months, and revisit what going full-time gig worker would look like. If it’s for you, time to set your own hours and live your best life.

certified cat person,
the paper stacker

Calculating tools are provided as a courtesy to help you estimate your financial needs. Results shown are estimates only. Message and data rates may apply from your service provider.

This tool helps you determine the amount of money you could save by reducing monthly expenses. Because you do not enter income tax rates, the calculator assumes you save with a tax-advantaged account. Your estimated annual reduction in spending is calculated by (1st expense *12) + (2nd expense * 12) + (3rd expense * 12) = annual amount that could be saved. For example 1st expense = $50, 2nd expense = $60, and 3rd expense = $40, the estimated reduction in your expenses is $1,800 ($50 * 12) + ($60 * 12) + ($40 * 12) = $1,800.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

If this sounds like you, there’s a solution. My friend introduced me to a simple stress test that helps determine if a savings goal is one you can achieve, or one that’s ineffective.

Let’s be smarties

When you’re setting savings goals, you need to be smart about it. And that’s not me being a little mean. SMART is the acronym my friend taught me. Each letter stands for a feature your savings goal needs to have.

S: Specific. You need to lay out exactly what you want to save for. Be as detailed and specific as possible.

M: Measurable. The savings goal needs to be clear and quantifiable. AKA, there needs to be a specific amount you want to save. How are you going to know if you reach a goal if there isn’t a finish line?

A: Attainable. This is prob the most important. You need to be real with yourself. Is this goal something you can actually make happen? Spoiler alert: trying to retire by 29 isn’t attainable for most people.

R: Relevant. Does this goal make sense with your current situation? If you have a lot of student loans, maybe saving up for a new gaming PC isn’t the move right now. Weigh all your financial priorities, and see if this savings goal fits in your current budget.

T: Time-based. There should be a deadline for your savings goal. A timeline keeps you accountable, and allows you to accurately measure your progress throughout.

If your savings goal meets all the criteria above, then it’s SMART. But if it doesn’t pass, don’t fret. I believe you can turn most savings goals into a SMART goal with a little reframing. Let’s walk through some sample goals, and see if they stack up to the SMART test. If they don’t, then we can see how they can be adjusted.

What makes these goals SMART?

Saving Goal #1: The Weekend Getaway

I want to rent a cabin with my two best friends for a weekend four months from now. I’ve never been to this particular mountain town, and want to explore it!

S: A fun cabin weekend is specific, but you can be even more specific. You’ll need to rent a cabin, but also think about food, transport, and other expenses.

M: This goal is measurable, but with a little research first. Since you’ve never been to this town, you might need to do some work up front to see how much it’ll actually cost you. Once you get some quotes and estimations, then you can have your total number in mind.

A: Depends on your friends. On a group trip, it’s hard to tell if a goal is attainable for everyone. I would be candid and ask them if they feel like they can cover all the costs. It can be awk, but it’s better to be upfront with the number that everyone needs to save.

R: Same note here as Attainable. Gut check with your friends, and see if this trip actually makes sense for them right now.

T: Yup, there’s a clear date you’re working towards!

I think this goal can totally be SMART with a few small tweaks and transparency among your friends. Now let’s try another.

Saving Goal #2: The Post-Move Festival

I’ve just moved to a new city, and there’s apparently this amazing music festival in three weeks. I want to go for all three days!!!!

S: A three-day festival pass is super specific. My only add would be to include other expenses, such as food or outfits into your planning. Kind of like we did with this festival budgeting article.

M: This goal is measurable! Assuming you can still buy tickets directly, there’s a set admission price for this festival.

A: I’m going to assume you could secure the money needed for the ticket, with a little budget magic.

R: Sigh, this is where you start to lose me. You’ve just moved to an entirely new city. Is dropping cash on an entire three-day music festival weekend on the top of your financial priorities? Are there other expenses like apartment furnishings or moving costs you need to tackle first?

T: This is a little problematic too. Three weeks isn’t a lot of time. If you’re paid bi-weekly, it’s MAX two paychecks. If this is a goal that requires a lot of saving, it might be too short to actually sustainably save the $$$ you need.

Right now, this goal doesn’t seem very SMART. Perhaps if you went for only one day of the festival, then it would be a little more relevant and timely. If a goal fails the SMART test, see where you can compromise or adjust to fit the acronym. Let’s try one final goal.

Saving Goal #3: The Budget Busting Weekend

This weekend wrecked my budget. I spent wayyyy too much at the bookstore, online shopping, and eating out. I need to save more money.

S: Hard no. This goal isn’t specific at all. “Save more money” is completely generic. Do you want to build an emergency fund? Put 10% of your income away in a savings account? Let’s dig deep for some more details.

M: Same problem here, it’s not measurable. “More” just means any number higher than zero. You could pick a penny up off the ground and technically achieve that goal.

A: Ok this is technically a yes. Saving is attainable for everyone, even if it’s just a small amount.

R: Based on the scenario, this goal feels highly relevant. Overspending can be a hard problem to fix, and directing some of that energy into saving feels like the right move.

T: Again, there’s no details here. A timeline would help your savings goal tremendously.

To make this goal fully SMART, you need to start by making it specific. What if you tried building up a six-month emergency fund over the course of a year? That would be a great SMART goal, and help curb your overspending. Even the vaguest savings goal can transform into a SMART goal with a little elbow grease and reframing.

Once you create a SMART goal, then you need to go out and actually do the saving. That’s where Chase comes in. Take a spin through Chase.com and see which calculators or resources can help you slay that SMART goal without breaking a sweat.

Crafting a savings goal is an art, and with practice you’ll become well-versed in becoming a smart SMART goal maker.

put on your smarty pants,
the paper stacker

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

My transition into adult life was a little rocky. Managing my debts and expenses on top of my other responsibilities led to some unfortunate, but avoidable slip ups.

Don’t fret, because I have discovered a one-size-fits-all strategy that helped me overcome debt, and even other mistakes I made. It’s the snowball method, similar to the avalanche method. But we’ll get to that later. Let’s look at the top three post-grad traps I fell into.

The “Debt Quicksand” Trap

With post-grad life comes the debt of it all. Student loans, car payments, credit card payments, rent, insurance, furnishing your first living space. No matter which combination of these payments you have, debt can overwhelm and cause a lot of undue stress.

Debt is scary, and it can be tempting to ignore it, or only contribute a minimal amount. But the reality is, debt can build up over time, and even in just a few months, it can feel like you’re sinking in debt quicksand.

Not staying on top of your debt can become a major issue if you don’t get disciplined ASAP. Many debts compound and increase over time if you aren’t able to consistently pay them in full. Post-grad, I definitely was guilty of living an “ignorance is bliss” fantasy and avoiding eye contact with my debts. That came back to bite later.

The “Everything Must Be Fixed Today” Trap

Set the scene: you’ve had a hard day at work. You come home, realize your meal prep has gone bad, so you have to resign to eating your emergency can of French onion soup. You open social media, and see someone else you went to college with has bought a house. And then you get the urge to check your bank account, and the numbers there could be better… UGHHHHH.

That’s it. It’s time to turn your entire life around, starting tomorrow. We’re upping our gym days, meal prepping for everything, cutting all unnecessary spending, and going to bed exactly at 9:30pm.

Sound familiar? I call this the “Everything Must Be Fixed Today” trap because you’re suddenly inspired to turn your life around in one day. Odds are, most of these changes aren’t going to stick, because you can’t change who you are overnight. While there’s a lot of excitement, there’s not a lot of substance.

The “Perfection Only” Trap

One of the things that surprised me about post-grad was the amount of free time I had. Turns out cramming for bio finals in the library can take up a lot of hours. So naturally, adulthood means it’s time to pick up a hobby.

Social media makes exposure to new hobbies even easier. Did you know there’s a competitive hobby horsing circuit? Yes, where you hold a fake horse between your legs, run around a gym, and hop over hurdles. Look it up.

But with a new hobby or activity can come the pressure to be amazing at it ASAP. It’s frustrating to not achieve the goals we’re looking for immediately. I had a homemade pasta era, but when I couldn’t roll out perfect raviolis on the first try, I banished my pasta maker to the back of my pantry.

Let’s snowball

So how can a snowball fix all three of these traps? Think back to the pure fun and whimsy that comes with a snowball fight. Honestly, if I could have a snowball fight once a week, it might fix all of my problems by releasing all the serotonin.

The snowball method is actually all about momentum. Imagine you’re rolling a snowball down a hill. It might start small and fragile, but the more you roll and add to it, the momentum grows and suddenly you have a solid ball you can pelt your sibling with. Next thing you know, you’re rolling another snowball, even faster this time. That’s the core of the snowball method: start small, gather momentum, and feel empowered to start again.

I apply the snowball method to a lot of things in my life, and I used it to get out of all the traps I listed above. Here’s how:

Snowballing the Debt Quicksand

Post-grad, I had sooo many streams of debt. Between student loans, car payments, my starter credit card bill, and other bills, I had a lot of expenses. My entry level salary wasn’t totally stretching across all of them. But then someone explained to me the debt snowball method: pay the smallest debt first.

To use this snowball debt paydown method, first budget out how much you are able to put against your debts each month. Then use those funds to pay the minimum amounts of every debt, and then put any leftover funds towards your smallest debt.

My smallest debt was my credit card bill. When I was furnishing my new apartment, I had to buy a lot of stuff, and I had a smaller balance on my credit card. Ideally, I would be paying it in full every month, but I left some balance sitting there. Not a mistake I’ll make again.

But I started throwing all my remaining funds at the smallest debt, and within a few months I was able to pay it off completely. You have no idea the sense of accomplishment I felt, I was basically the world’s best financial guru. I was ready to start tackling my next debt: my car payment.

I was gathering both momentum and confidence. Paying off the smallest debt first gave me extra cash to put towards another debt, and the emotional boost I needed to keep knocking debts out. That’s when I realized the snowball method can work on other aspects of my life that aren’t just debt, and here’s how I tackled those other two traps.

Snowballing my other traps

For the “Everything Must Be Fixed Today” Trap, I forced myself to pick one (just one) new healthier habit, and tried to achieve it for just one week. I chose meal prepping, and once I finished one week, I challenged myself to do a month. Suddenly, meal prepping was locked in, and I could then start going to the gym more. Accomplishment was a stunning motivator.

For the “Perfection Only” Trap, I took a similar approach. Instead of trying the most elevated, impressive version of hobbies I saw online, I tried a beginner approach. Instead of stuffing fancy raviolis, I tried a simple potato gnocchi. Much more rustic, much more approachable. Shockingly, when I set an achievable goal, it was easier to achieve. Who knew?

There are a ton more traps in your life that can benefit from the snowball approach. Even though I don’t consider myself post-grad anymore, I still have to remind myself to start small, gather momentum, and then conquer the next challenge, whether it’s financial or otherwise. That’s how I can make some magic happen.

the snowball is in your court,
the paper stacker

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

But thinking back, the moment that felt the best of all was the anticipation of getting my very first paycheck. I’d earned my own money and could do whatever I wanted with it. Hello, best feeling ever!!

With first paychecks comes your first time managing your own money, and it’s easy to make a few mistakes when you’re starting. I know I did. I’m willing to slightly embarrass myself and go through my old mistakes, and share how I course corrected.

Mistake 1: I assumed I was taking home my entire paycheck

I opened up my first paycheck, and I was unpleasantly surprised to see a dollar amount that was less than I expected. Sure it was close, but not quite… then I remember those things called “taxes.”

We’ve all been guilty of hanging our hat on the total pay, and then realizing we’re only taking home, well, the take-home pay.

Budgeting without knowing your exact take-home pay is hard, especially if you’re paid hourly. You can check out resources online like wage calculators that give you an estimate based on your location and pay. A quick internet search can help you get your budget together.

That’s what I ended up doing for my next job. Using online resources gave me a better general idea of what taxes, elective benefits and other withholdings could be taken out of my paycheck.

Mistake 2: I didn’t budget per paycheck

My first budget was a masterclass in guessing. I just chose arbitrary amounts to save for each spending category. Uhhhh, sure $120 a month for gas feels right… right? Spoiler alert: It was not right.

Instead of just pulling a budget out of thin air, I should’ve been using my paycheck as my guide, and working backwards from it. By starting with my income, and allotting how much of it would go to each of my expenses, I was able to actually live within my means.

A top method of this budgeting technique is the classic 50/30/20 budget. I covered it previously in the DTS edition of stacking paper, but here’s the long story short.

In this budgeting method, take your paycheck / streams of income, and distribute it accordingly:

• 50% of your income goes to Fixed Expenses, such as rent, household bills, insurance.

• 30% of your income can go towards Feeling Yourself, such as new clothes, dining, experiences, or subscriptions.

• 20% of your income can be allotted to For Future You, such as emergency funds or long-term savings goals.

This ratio is great for starting out, but don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it. Saving for a big purchase? Perhaps you opt for a 50/10/40 split for a few paychecks.

Mistake 3: I relied on my own willpower to save my paycheck

I have a confession. I’m Type B. I will often put in minimal effort for simple tasks. I’ve been known to use my sock to wipe up a water spill instead of using a paper towel. I’m not proud, but it’s who I am.

This mindset unfortunately applied to how I saved my early paychecks. Even though I set my 50/30/20 budget, I would often forget to move my 20% from my checking account to my savings. And then I would end up spending money that I should’ve been saving. Not ideal.

To try and fix this, I would set alerts or leave myself notes to remind myself to transfer the money. But those didn’t always work. I needed a solution that would seamlessly do the saving for me. And when I least expected it, I found my answer.

I was doing some digging in my employer’s payment portal, and realized I could set it up so a portion of my paycheck would deposit right into my savings. I didn’t even have to lift a finger. Well, except when I lifted a finger to click “confirm” on the transfer.

If you’re looking to automate your own savings like I did, you don’t even need to rely on your employer. Your banking app might be able to do it for you, like how you can with Chase Autosave. This feature automatically transfers money from your Chase checking account into your savings account.

Mistake 4: I spent my entire paycheck all in one place

We’re throwing it all the way back to my very first paycheck. Picture an adorable little 17 year old paper stacker, working at an ice cream shop for the summer. It was a great time: free ice cream, I got jacked (but only on my scooping arm), and my clothes always smelled like waffle cones. Win-win-win.

From the moment I got the gig, I was so excited to spend my first paycheck. I knew exactly what I wanted to buy with it: a camera. I was deadset on becoming a filmmaker.

Once I got paid, I immediately went to the store and bought the camera that day. It was my entire paycheck, plus the entirety of my meager piggy bank savings. But it was worth it (or so I thought). Unfortunately my filmmaking career was short-lived. Turns out, editing is too hard for me! So the camera lay dormant in my room.

I realized real quick that when you spend your entire paycheck at once, then you have no funds until your next one. I was forced to turn down multiple hangouts with my friends because I had no money to spend.

What would’ve helped? A savings plan. Creating savings plans lets me reach those big purchases, while still keeping enough funds for day-to-day fun. (Read more about my fav saving plans here.) Now, I would never drop an entire paycheck’s worth in one day. If I’m spending a large amount, I’ve planned for it, and built it into my budget.

It’s been a long time since my very first paycheck, but I would like to think I’ll never forget the lessons I learned early on. Learn from my slip ups, and make your paychecks count sooner.

to have and withhold,
the paper stacker

Screen images simulated.

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©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Credit scores demonstrate your trustworthiness with credit, so it’s important to know your way around that three digit number.

Since I never back down from a challenge, I took the time to really learn all there is to know about credit scores. (And shared some of my findings in a previous stacking paper newsletter: demystifying credit scores.) This led to all of my friends coming to me for credit score advice. With their permission, I’m sharing some of their questions here, so we all can gain some credit score knowledge.

Who is running this credit score thing?

The three main characters in the credit score game are these credit bureaus: Experian™, TransUnion^® and Equifax^®. These three companies each pull their own individual score for you, and the scores might differ slightly. However, they all should be in a similar range. If one of your three scores is drastically different, it could be worth giving them a call.

Does a credit score go from 0 to 1,000?

No. It’s not that wide a scale. The possible credit score range is 300 to 850. So when your friend is trying to bring up a score of 909, they’re def lying to try and impress.

Is my credit score good?

This is the one I hear the most. There’s a relatively popular score range that could give you insight into how lenders may view your score. Check out the VantageScore 3.0 range:

• Excellent: 780-850

• Good: 720-779

• Fair: 660-719

• Poor: 300-659

While credit scores are important, what matters is how lenders react to your applications. If lenders deny you, or offer you not so favorable terms like a higher interest rate, that’s a sign there’s room to work on improving your credit.

Is a credit score and credit report the same thing?

They’re close, but not interchangeable terms. A credit report is a longform report that includes the entirety of your credit history and usage. Your credit score is a three digit number that serves as the summary of that report.

Can I hurt my credit score by checking it?

Nope, you can’t affect your score by monitoring it. And you can even see your score for free.

Check out Chase Credit Journey^®: a free tool that lets you see your credit score at any time. Plus, you’ll get extra tips on how to help improve it, and access to free credit and identity monitoring. You’re also entitled by law to one free credit report a year from each of the major credit bureaus. Thanks Fair Credit Reporting Act!

Who even invented the credit report?

Ok history lesson! Credit reports date back to 1956 thanks to Bill Fair, an engineer, and Earl Isaac, a mathematician. They founded Fair Isaac Corporation (aka FICO) and started developing a method to standardize credit reporting, since credit information was subjective, and done on a lender by lender basis. I can’t even imagine how hard it was to keep track of all the different lenders’ reporting. My head is spinning…

After building their system, they sold it to lenders all throughout the 60s, before wildly being adopted in the 1970s. Now you have a fun party convo starter: the home microwave oven is older than the credit report.

I’m a teen and I wanna build credit. How can I start?

I have just the tip for you. You don’t even need your own credit card to start building your credit history.

My parents were willing to add me as an authorized user on their credit cards, and that meant I could start building credit in my name as early as junior year. So I was lowkey speed running this credit report thing.

Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone, some parents might not want you to be added as a user on to their card, and if your parents’ credit history isn’t good, this could actually start your history off on the wrong foot. Just some things to keep in mind.

Why do I even need a score? Who would be checking on that?

There’s more people interested in your score than you might think. From leasing agents when you apply for an apartment rental, to employers running a background check. Credit lenders need to see your credit history before approving you for a new line of credit, or extending your existing credit. These inquiries are key for these entities to make a decision.

What even is a credit inquiry? Questions about my credit?

A credit inquiry, sometimes called a credit check or credit pull, is when a lender requests to review your credit report.

There’s two types of credit inquiries: hard and soft. One is more serious than the other. I’ll give you one guess which one is which…

Soft inquiries have no impact on your credit score. They are more of a quick check to view your report, and won’t stick around. Examples of soft inquiries would be employers conducting a background check or pre-approvals for lines of credit or loans.

Hard inquiries are more serious. These happen when a lender is deciding whether to grant you a new loan or new line of credit. Generally, these inquiries impact your score for about a year, and fall off your report after two.

The reason hard inquiries affect your score is because most credit scoring models look at how often you apply for credit. That’s why a recent credit application would make their ears perk up.

Does my score update in real time?

No, the bureaus aren’t that fast. Your scores will update with the reporting cycle of each bureau, which can last 30-45 days. You might be like me: one time I honestly forgot about a loan application, and was shook when it appeared on my credit report a month later! Really tough, I would not recommend.

There’s no set timeline on when things will appear, but a general rule of thumb is a big change will be reflected within two months. Keep this in mind when monitoring your score.

When credit bureaus are determining my score, what do they even use?

Your credit score is more than just vibes and whether you’ve been paying your statements on time. This is the official breakdown for VantageScore 3.0:

40% of your score is determined by payment history (your record of how you’ve used credit in the past)

21% of your score is by age of your credit report, and types of credit you have

20% of your score is based on your total credit utilization (AKA how much of your total credit limit you’re currently using)

11% of your score is based on your total balances

5% is based on your recent credit behavior

3% is based on what credit is available to you

They’re not just pulling a lever and randomly generating a score. All of these different factors are weighed when coming up with your final score. It’s a relief to know that currently falling short in just one of these areas won’t tank your score completely.

I’ve shared alllll my credit score wisdom, and hopefully you understand these scores a little better now. It’s comforting to know there’s an actual science and method to these scores, and they don’t just rise and fall for no reason. With all this extra knowledge in your back pocket, now you’re ready to drop credit score facts whenever. Especially when your friend pulls out that confusing board game at parties, and you need to change the topic.

your credit score stan,
the paper stacker

Chase Credit Journey®: You must be 18 or older, have a Social Security number and a physical U.S. address. No Chase account required.

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©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co

The first time I was paid for my writing was in the spring of my senior year of college, when an alumni reached out to see if I wanted to contribute to the magazine he edited for. I earned $250 for a longform essay dispelling assumptions about Gen Z, but the amount itself was less significant than the pride I felt from getting published. The check I received in the mail meant that my voice was worth something – a publication was willing to pay me to offer my perspective to their audience. It also reminded me that there is value in art, in writing, and in traditional forms of media.

Money feelings are not always so positive. I still feel the most anxious around spending when it’s unpredictable. For example, let’s say I’m on a trip and have to account for eating out at every meal, but I can’t come up with an exact budget. Once, I went to a seafood restaurant with my friends on spring break, and the server convinced us to buy the market fish; he insisted that it would be perfect for us to share. At the end of our meal, we got the receipt and saw that the whole fish was $200 – more than anyone could have predicted. I was frustrated with the server (I felt like he misled us) and anxious about the unanticipated cost of the dinner. I felt like I would have to recalibrate the rest of my expenses for the duration of the trip, to offset this one mistake. Looking back, I think I should have accepted the situation – there was nothing else I could do – and made an effort to move on. Now I know you should ask for the price of the daily special!

Anxiety around money can also arise when the spending is intentional. Last fall, before I started my job, I visited Paris, one of my favorite cities in the world. I treated myself to a shoulder bag I would have never purchased in college, out of practicality and restraint. I rationalized it by thinking: I’ll get a tax refund, It’s almost my birthday, I’m an adult now and I can spend my money how I’d like. In the moment, as I was handing over my credit card, I wondered if I was making a huge mistake, if the money was better off sitting in an investment account, growing in value over time. Afterward, I felt both guilty and satisfied for allowing myself this indulgence.

In recounting these moments, it’s interesting to see how moments of pride, fear, and guilt fade away, and all that’s left is a number on my credit card statement. I think this is actually a useful, important separation – I don’t want money to dictate my emotions, and I don’t want fleeting, intense feelings to drive irrational financial behaviors.

When I start to get overwhelmed, I find it helpful to take a step back. I review my bank and credit card statements at the end of each month in a neutral, non-judgmental way. I have a good memory, so when I see a charge for a certain dollar amount, I remember when I impulsively bought a pair of shoes when I was upset, or had to spend $10 on airport water. Outside of the numbers that actually appear on my screen, I reflect on the invisible consequences of my financial choices. Did I restrict spending on social plans when I had room for that concert, or dinner out with friends? I’ll admit to saying no to an invitation if I feel like I can’t afford it, even if I technically have enough in my bank account. That’s where my emotions can blur my reality.

Then, I come up with a game plan for the next month. Do I want to make more of an effort to say yes to social plans? Maybe that means increasing my budget for going out, and spending less on clothes or shoes. I’ve started to paste links to things I want to buy into a notes app, instead of impulsively ordering them. Then, I can return to the list at a later date, with a clearer mind, and evaluate if the object will actually improve my life, or if my initial desire was more emotionally-driven.

Of course, I’m still learning how to navigate the complexities of money as a young person, as I’m sure many of you are too. If you don’t know where to start, or have a random question, it could be helpful to talk to a professional like a Chase banker. I think the key is to set yourself up for success, and to give yourself grace when things don’t go exactly as you planned.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

My partner promptly brought me back to earth with four little words: “I think that’s AI.” My heart sank to my stomach. No, it can’t be. Those bunnies are my family now. But they were right. No bunny would hop on a trampoline like that. They don’t need a trampoline, the ground is their trampoline. Wow, I’m so stupid.

Getting tricked by AI sucks. At least in my case I only felt embarrassed. But AI is being used for far more nefarious reasons than just fake animal videos. People are using AI to scam unsuspecting victims everyday, in more and more advanced ways. And the consequences can range from loss of funds to extensive identity theft.

You might think you are smart enough to not fall for a scam, but I also thought I was smart enough to know when a cute video is AI generated. We need to stay alert and vigilant to all the scams out there, AI-generated or not.

To help train your internal scam detector, I invite you to participate in my new game show “Who Wants To Identify and Ignore AI Scam Attempts?” I’m still workshopping the title.

Below, there’s two examples of texts from your bank. One is based on real communications, while the other is based on common AI scam language. Can you tell which is which? Read both, and then vote in the poll.

Ok that one was a gimme. Bank Text #1 is a scam. The overly verbose and dramatic language is a dead giveaway. Synchronicity? Expenditures? Your bank likely won’t text you sounding like a British butler. Plus, the text includes a weird link that isn’t branded as a bank URL. Clicking suspicious links is how scammers can gain access to your info. So don’t click on it.

Bank Text #2 is a lot closer to how your bank will be texting you, simple and straightforward. The interactive element is just a Y or N response, and there’s no strange links or threats like “permanent overhead locking”, whatever that is.

Now let’s try a scam that is a little tougher to decipher. In the next example, imagine you receive a random peer-to-peer payment from someone you don’t know. Then, you immediately get a follow up text from an unknown number. One is a scam, and one is an honest mistake from a stranger. Can you spot the scam?

Which text is a fraud trying to snatch your cash? Pause and vote.

What did ya think? Text #1 is guilty. This is a common scam pulled with stolen credit cards. Here’s the hacker’s goal: to get you to send your hard-earned cash to them.

You aren’t returning the money, you’re starting a brand new transaction. A few days later, your bank will most likely realize the first transaction is from a stolen card, and remove that $825 from your account. So now you’re out $825.

In general, sending money to strangers on peer-to-peer payment apps is really murky. Your bank can’t always fix it for you, so even if a text is super convincing, just leave the money where it is. Assume the money will be taken from your account in a few days, and don’t go on a shopping spree.

Did you clock the faux emergency from the scam? Scammers prey on your emotions by making you think you need to respond RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!! In the second text, the biggest clue that Natalie’s a real one is that she doesn’t demand the money back ASAP.

Always take a beat and think through your next move. Ask a friend or family member for their opinion too, scammers hate it when their victims use critical thinking. Plus, the money amounts aren’t even the same between the payment and the follow up text. Scammers can slip up, so keep an eye out for any sketchy inconsistencies.

If you find yourself in a sketchy peer to peer payment situation, or any suspected fraud, a banking professional is your best friend. Call the general number for your bank, give them allllllll the details, and follow their advice. These pros know security inside and out, and can point you in the right direction if needed.

Alrighty, let’s try one more. This is the hardest one yet, so try and see if you can spot the scam in these job interview emails. Imagine you actually applied for both of these companies, so you’re expecting a potential email from this employer.

Phew, these two were a little closer. But Email #2 is caught red handed. Did you notice the subtle urgency in the email? You need to submit your email ASAP to keep your interview slot. Most companies will keep an air of professionalism and won’t be emotionally manipulative like your toxic ex-situationship.

The link to upload your resume is also a clue. .net isn’t a common end to a URL, especially for a company looking for a sales role. This is a good sign the scammer is simply impersonating the company. Don’t blindly click on any links, double check the job posting to see what the URL should be for this company.

These job application scams are getting more and more common thanks to AI. Scammers are using AI to scrub online job boards, and reaching out to those who applied with the exact job title and company name to make their email feel as legit as possible.

How did you do? Were you able to spot the scammers? Even if you got tricked, don’t let it get to you. I’m still bitter about those bunnies. There’s no shame in being a victim, these scammers put a lot of energy into making these schemes feel legit. Imagine if they put this much effort into something like solving world hunger. Would be nice huh.

If you do realize you’ve been had by a scammer, there’s a few immediate steps to take. First, let out your anger. It’s annoying what happened. Maybe book a session at a rage room. Next, you need to chat with the relevant institutions. Work with your credit or debit card issuer and dispute any fraudulent charges. Also reach out to credit bureaus, explain the situation and confirm your identity to stop any potential identity theft.

Finally it’s time to bring in the heavy hitters. Report the scam to the authorities. Fill out an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission. They might be able to help stop any current or future identity fraud. Plus, filling out that report will feel so cathartic. You’re gonna help nab the bad guys!

AI scams can happen to anyone, even you. Stay alert and stay calm, and you can do your best to stop scammers from stealing anything from you.

brb jumping on a trampoline,
the paper stacker

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

I must’ve left it somewhere the night before. Well, guess it’s time to retrace my steps, protect my identity and hopefully recover that pesky card. Follow along!

Act 1: Realizing The Card is Gone & Quick Fixes

First things first, I ask my friend to spot me for brunch, since I also left my credit card at home. She’s a real one, and puts her card down. I mean, she’s getting extra points so it’s a win-win in my opinion.

Then I pull out my phone for my trusty mobile banking app. Let’s lock that debit card up. Some banking apps, like the Chase Mobile^® app, allow you to remotely lock your card, stopping all new transactions. Don’t worry about pre-approved transactions, those will still go through. You can toggle your card between locked and unlocked at any time. Great for commitment-phobes like me.

While I have the app open, I also check for any transactions I don’t recognize. If there’s anything new on my account, that most likely means my card was stolen or found by a bad actor. And I’m not talking about a thespian who constantly forgets their lines. Someone could be using my card as their own.

Thankfully, there’s no new transactions I don’t remember. If there was anything unfamiliar, I would call my bank ASAP to make them aware of the fraud, and to dispute the transactions.

While in the app, I see the option to cancel my current card, and order a new replacement. While that is tempting for my peace of mind, the thought of updating all my subscription services with a new card number is giving me stress. I want to try and find my card before jumping to that step. Time to revisit where I was last night.

Act 2: Retracing My Steps

I bid adieu to my friend, and head over to my last stop before I hit the hay last night: Bob’s Deli and Gas right around the corner from my apartment. I needed mini donuts and a slushie, no judgment please.

My plan of action is to ask the cashier if anyone turned in a debit card. I remember the time I found a debit card on the floor of a thrift store. When I handed it in at the front counter, the bored teenage cashier put it in a box filled with approximately 47 loose cards. I figure Bob himself might have a similar system.

Unfortunately the cashier just gives me a blank stare, checks in “the back”, and lets me know there’s nothing there. Well, it was worth a shot. There’s one more spot I can check out.

Last night, my friend and I were at a show at a concert hall. I’m hoping the card is there, but have little faith at this point. I chat with a manager, who says he cuts up leftover cards with scissors at the end of the night. Ok, that’s so chaotic good of him. Chopping up the cards means no one can snatch them and use them.

I admit defeat. It’s time to call Chase. For me, doing literally anything involving a phone call is a top 5 anxiety (and it’s not number 5, 4, 3, or 2…) but I know I’ll feel better talking to a real person who can open a case for me right on the phone. Often, your bank representative can cancel your card right then and there, and quickly open you a new one. Talk about peace of mind, they’re kind of like an emotional support representative.

Right as I pull out my phone to chit-chat with a pal at Chase, I see a text from my friend: “look what I found in my bag.” A wave of calm washes over me. My friend had my card in their bag!!! I text them that I’ll swing by and grab it.

Act 3: This Can’t Happen Again

After retrieving my card, and unlocking it in my banking app, I head back home to my apartment. I need to make some changes so I’m not reliving this debit horror film again. I don’t know how many more sequels I have in me.

When I get home, I realize my apartment needs a designated space for my card. I don’t have a wallet, so I usually just throw my loose card in random spots. I repurpose a colorful bowl from my kitchen as my new catch-all bowl by the door, for my keys and other essentials.

But I also need a way to carry my card safely when it’s on me. I have my old wallet from high school, but the worn fake leather with multiple holes in it makes me realize I need a new one. I make a mental note to go and buy a wallet in the near future. A wallet also has big “birthday gift” energy, and my big day is coming up… much to consider.

Plopping down on the couch, I recheck my banking app to see if there’s other features I could use to help protect myself. I realize I have a virtual wallet option, which means my phone can lowkey be my debit card if I’m ever in this pickle again. I also could turn on account alerts, so I can be notified of any transactions while my card is lost.

Even though this time I managed to avoid any identity or card theft, I make a resolution to not let this happen again. With new settings in my banking app, and changes in how I carry my card around, I’m setting myself up so I won’t go through this again. Being proactive to avoid future loss feels so great.

Whew, what a journey on a Sunday. Way more fun than the stuffed pepper meal prep I was planning on doing. I hop back in my car, but realize I’m dangerously close to E. Guess I need to hit up Bob’s again. I decide I’ve earned a slushie. A little treat, plus a full tank, paid for with tap to pay. This is the life I dreamed of.

lost, but then found,
the paper stacker

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There are a couple ways to tell that I am a Type A, eldest daughter. I wake up early on the weekends, no matter how late I went to sleep. I write a to-do list every day and cross it off with a blue pen. And I maintain a spreadsheet with all of my income streams, investments, and spending by category, which I update at the end of every month.

Even when I’m not actively inside of my spreadsheet, I often find myself performing mental math browsing the aisles of the grocery store, on a walk through a busy neighborhood, or swiping into the Subway turnstile. The categories in which I earn and spend my money are in constant conversation with one another. The extra $40 I save by my dinner plans getting cancelled can be allocated toward a new pair of earplugs (that I so desperately needed to drown out construction noise).

There was a phenomenon a few years ago called Girl Math, wherein women on the internet shared the semi-ridiculous ways they justify purchases (e.g., “If I find cash in my jeans pocket, and use it to buy coffee, that latte was free). Though I didn’t resonate with all aspects of the trend, I do want to argue that thinking about my spending holistically, with individual actions in relation to each other, has actually been useful and affirming. Reflecting on my recent purchases, I want to reconsider the kind of math I was doing in my head.

The Balancing Act

My feet have been killing me. I’ve been wearing the same pair of black sneakers for a year, and I probably have thousands of miles on them at this point. I was putting off buying a replacement, because I still feel anxiety around making large purchases. But after another long day of aching soles, I knew I was nearing my breaking point. I had recently gotten paid for an article I had written, so I told myself that I was in a position to buy something I wanted, even if it was expensive. I placed an online order. My shoes arrived in a cardboard box that week, and as soon as I slipped them on, I was walking on clouds again. It was a good reminder that I don’t need to conserve every dollar I earn; comfort and newness can be worth the monetary tradeoff.

The Intangibles

Another calculation I perform in my head is that any purchase that is good for me (e.g., fresh vegetables) is an investment in my health, which is priceless. So, at the farmer’s market last Saturday, I bought ramps ($8), purple snow peas ($6), and sugar snap peas ($7). I look forward to Spring produce every year -- it’s bright, sweet, and ultra-green. I try to go as early as possible on the weekends, often around 9am. I perused the stands with hundreds of other New Yorkers, chatting with the farmers, comparing the vibrancy of asparagus bundles. Buying vegetables at the greenmarket is definitely costlier than the grocery store, but the differences in taste and quality make it worth it to me. Back at home, I made ramp butter, and blanched the peas before drizzling in salt and good olive oil.

Similarly, my climbing gym membership costs $140 per month. I love bouldering in particular because of the puzzle that each route presents. I feel out of sync, lethargic, and sad when I go extended periods without working out. When the sizable recurring payment hits my account, I remind myself it’s worth it, since exercise is important for keeping my physical and mental health in check, and I’m balancing it with other expenses.

Another type of splurge that makes sense to me is when I find unique gifts for people who matter to me most. A few weeks ago, I surprised my friend in Chicago by sending him a cookbook written by one of our favorite YouTubers. He texted me about how confused he was to receive the package, and how he usually doesn’t get presents because his birthday is so close to Christmas. I have a hard time justifying gifts for myself, but it felt exciting, and surprisingly uncomplicated, to be able to spend money on gifts that make people happy. The math proved uncomplicated: the cost of the book was small compared to the joy it imparted!

The Tradeoffs

My friend and I went to a wine bar for a drink and some olives in the early evening. When the weather is nice, a long walk and a glass of chilled red wine is one of my favorite ways to hang out with a friend. It may not be as healthy as my farmer’s market habit, but I allow myself these small pleasures. For balance, I went home and cooked myself a simple dinner. It’s small tradeoffs like these that make me feel confident that my habits are sustainable.

I’m also an avid subway user. It now costs $3 per ride (I remember when I was a kid, and it was $1), but I’m happy to make a contribution to the city. I love the train -- it’s fast and reliable (most of the time) and I always see someone or something interesting -- a man with a snake around his neck, or a child applying blush to his mother’s cheeks. Everyone has their complaints, but I grew up in New York, so nothing really bothers me anymore. I take cabs or Ubers only once in a blue moon, and I often think of the money I’m saving on transit when I tap my phone on the turnstile. By spending $3 on a commute instead of $35, I can put that money toward something else that brings me joy.

The Miscalculations

One night, my friends and I ordered from a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Call me picky, but I don’t think soup dumplings hit the same when they’re lukewarm and kind of soggy. We had a great time hanging out, but I wished we had either cooked at home or fully committed to eating at a restaurant. I saw the delivery charge as a misstep -- in the grand calculus of my financial activity, I had calculated wrong. It happens sometimes, and don’t let it spoil the bigger picture.

But it’s important to remind myself that mistakes are a part of my twenties, as I figure out what is worth spending on, where I should hold back, and what kinds of experiences are invaluable. This math is a helpful starting point for budgeting, but I think its greatest feature is that it will help you build intuition that you’ll use for the rest of your life.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Don’t fret, I’ve honed my grocery skill to be practically professional-level, and it would be downright cruel of me to not impart some of this knowledge onto you. The cart is my paintbrush and the freezer section is my canvas. As someone with a penchant for making lists and eating food, I was made to maximize this errand. Here are some of my favorite grocery store hacks, organized by store department.

Your kitchen at home

Ok I lied. This isn’t a department in the grocery store. Unless you live in a grocery store. But a successful grocery store run starts at home. My first mantra of groceries is: “Never, ever shop on an empty stomach.” When your stomach is grumbling the whole shopping trip, you are wayyy more likely to impulse buy extra stuff like sugary junk food that you know you shouldn’t be getting. Before stepping foot in those hallowed aisles, I have a hearty snack like a protein bar.

Also, I’m a big proponent of the grocery list. I use a good ole pen + paper one that attaches to my fridge, but your notes app works just as well. Giving yourself a list helps you stay on budget once you get to the store. If you cross-reference your list with your pantry before you head out to shop, you’ll avoid unnecessarily buying ingredients you already own.

The parking lot

Does the parking lot count as a department at the store? Well, since I make the rules around here, I’m saying yes. My hot tip for the parking lot is actually to skip going into the store all together. If it’s available to you, try curbside pickup.

Curbside pickup helps you stay in your grocery budget because you can see the total as you “shop” online. And the convenience can’t be beaten, there’s no risk of you getting a cart with a wonky wheel. Even if there’s a markup in prices, it might be worth it for you to avoid the risk of impulse buys.

Some pro tips I’ve learned from when I’ve used the service:

• Most stores have a minimum $$$ amount, so use this for big weekly hauls, not snack runs.

• If you order in the morning, you’ll be more likely to get good produce and less product substitutions.

• Make sure to keep a little cash on hand to tip.

Produce section

Ahhhh, we’ve made it inside. Close your eyes, and imagine the water washing the romaine lettuce lightly misting you. That’s the stuff.

When shopping for fresh produce, keep an eye on the calendar. And by that, I mean shop produce that’s in season. A quick internet search can show you what fruits and veggies are currently seasonal.

Not only will they taste so much better, they’re more likely to be cheaper than when they’re not in season. Since these tasty guys are more readily available, they cost less. But if you’re looking for out-of-season produce, I have a tip for that later in our errand, so stay tuned.

Floral section

All good grocery stores have an adorable floral section where you can get last minute bouquets, pumpkins in the fall, and packets of seeds. We care about that last one the most here.

If you’re seeking a long-term project that’ll save you some green down the road, activate your green thumb and grow produce yourself. Growing cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans are all great for beginners.

No outdoor space? Not a problem. Try an indoor herb garden. Fresh herbs like basil, sage, and rosemary are all great for a cute lil window sill garden that fits in any apartment or house. Nothing makes your dinner taste better (and cheaper) than growing parts of it yourself.

Packaged goods

I have one rule for packaged goods: store brand 4 life. In almost all cases, the name brand is fundamentally the same as the generic store brand, and is better bang for your buck.

Don’t believe me? Look at the ingredient labels for yourself. You might see more overlap than you expected. You could even do a blind taste test party with your friends to see if they can tell the difference. Wait, that’s a fun idea. Don’t steal that from me……..

Canned goods

Ok, cans are making a comeback yall. I know you’ve seen tinned fish all over your feed. As a tuna melt aficionado, I’m thrilled that cans are getting their flowers.

Canned goods are a great value, and there’s a lot of recipes that can utilize them. Cans also have a long shelf life, so if you see a deal, grab a few and stash them in your pantry for a rainy day.

Similar to my packaged goods rule above tho, don’t feel the need to spring for the tinned fish with fun branding as your first canned good experience. Start with the cheaper options, and see what canned ingredients you vibe with before going for the bougie ones.

Bulk items

I know you’ve heard the advice to buy in bulk, whether it’s dried foods, packaged non-perishables or even household goods like dish soap. And yes, buying in bulk is nearly always cheaper than smaller amounts, but make sure you do it the right way.

One mistake I’ve made is buying an item in bulk before I knew if I would realistically use it all. Once I bought an 8 pound bag of oranges because I wanted extra vitamin C. However, I got so tired of peeling them, that I let about half of them go bad. I wish I’d just bought the smaller bag, and saved the cash. It’s best to bulk buy ingredients that are already in your rotation.

Another way to hack the bulking system is to split up bulk items. Bring a friend or your partner shopping with you, and split the bulk items right down the middle. You get all the advantages of the bulk prices, but without overloading your storage.

Buying in bulk can help out your meal prepping plans too, allowing you to easily use one ingredient for your meals throughout the week.

Freezer section

Remember when I said there’s a solution for out-of-season produce? Shopping out-of-season produce in the frozen section is where it’s at. Frozen fruits and veggies are often frozen at peak ripeness, and you can rarely taste the difference, especially in dishes like soups, smoothies, stir-fry, and casseroles.

Check out

Ok we’re finally done with our shopping, and we’ve stuck to our list. Love that for us! Time to check out. Have you joined your grocery store’s loyalty program? Beyond getting a fun card for your keys, points and savings can add up. There might be other perks too, like discounts at the gas pump.

Some grocery stores have price matches with competitors, so always be scouring competitors’ weekly deals. It’s lowkey scary to point it out at the register, but believe me, these cashiers don’t really care. They appreciate the hustle.

Your debit card might be workin’ hard for you at the grocery cash register too. Check if your bank has cash back offers for your favorite brands, like Chase Offers. If you have an eligible Chase card, be sure to activate your Chase Offers before you shop to earn cash back…wink wink.

Now what?

These tips can help you save money, but the journey to being a grocery store legend like me takes time. Don’t feel the need to apply all of these tips at once, take up the practices that feel natural to you.

You can tell if these tips are making a difference by trying some receipt reflection. Save that paper trail, and compare your spending after every trip. Ask yourself the important q’s like “Does shopping in the frozen aisle save me $$ on produce” or “Are bulk goods keeping my wallet a little bulkier?” What works for me might not work for you. Building up a habit of tracking your spending in the grocery store, and making adjustments after reflecting will make your budgeting even stronger.

Thanks for going shopping with me! I hope you’re ready to carry some groceries and get a mini arm workout, because we’re definitely only taking one trip with the bags once we get home.

budget clean up on aisle 4,
the paper stacker

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JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

While I wish this newsletter was a reminder for you to wipe your socials (though, never a bad idea), I think there’s actually a more important digital footprint you need to be locked into: the credit score.

A credit score essentially shows how trustworthy you are with money, and you get one from the moment you open a line of credit, like a student loan or credit card.

If a credit score is just another random number to you, then you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into some of the common questions around a credit score.

Ok… explain to me like I’m five… what’s a credit score?

A credit score ranges from about 300 to 850 in the U.S., depending on the score provider, and could be used as an indicator of how financially responsible you are.

Credit bureaus look at a few factors: your credit history, the amount you’ve borrowed, the length of your credit history, type of credit mix, and new lines of credit. Think of your credit score like a nice healthy trail mix, there needs to be a little bit of everything to keep it balanced.

Keeping an eye on all of this could help keep your credit score consistent, or even raise it over time. It’s also important to call out that hard inquiries on your credit report, like from a bank or landlord, can lower your credit score for a short time.

When does your score matter?

Your credit score isn’t there just to make you feel good about yourself. (I did know a friend who threw a “I raised my credit score by 50 points” party, that was a fun night).

A healthy credit score is key to thriving financially. Lenders will use it, among other factors, to determine if you can have more credit. They won’t just take your word for it, even if you cite that you’re a stacking paper reader :(

If you’re applying for another line of credit, like a loan or second credit card, your score will most likely be checked. Leasing offices will also examine your history and score when you’re applying for your dream apartment. Insurance companies will often take a peek, and even some utilities companies too. Lenders might deny you if you have a low credit score, or offer you a loan with higher interest.

So you have your first credit card… what are some ways you could build and maintain your credit score?

You gotta take every swipe seriously when you have a credit card. Here’s my survival guide:

• Make small, consistent purchases you know you can pay off. Treating your first credit card like a debit card is a slay mindset to be in.

• Pay off your balance in full every month. This directly fuels your credit score, and helps build a healthy credit history.

• Keep your credit utilization low. Utilization is the ratio of credit you’re using to the total amount available to you. Financial pros suggest you should aim for 30% or lower. So if your card has a limit of $1,000, then keeping your total balance below $300 would benefit your score.

• Read your statement every month. Don’t just delete the email or throw out the mail. Seeing your spending with your own two eyes helps you lock in. Plus, if there’s any fraudulent activity on your account that your bank missed, you can catch those scammers and report the issue.

• Monitor your score regularly with tools like Chase Credit Journey®, a free resource that has no impact on your credit. Having an idea of your score at any given time is both smart, and a fun fact to pull out at dinner parties.

I know this feels like a lot to keep up with, but if you can keep your close friends list constantly updated based on its content, then you can build the habit of curating your credit score. Now only if my friends would quit their habit of roasting me for a history class project…

beware the ides of march,
the paper stacker

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When I leave my apartment in pursuit of fun, it can feel impossible to avoid spending money; the act is embedded into my day. A swipe onto the subway, an iced coffee, a housewarming gift, a movie ticket, a late-night taxi home. Amusement, convenience, and satisfaction await on the other side of tapping my phone against a card reader. The charges add up, as they are prone to do…

But I believe there’s a way to balance extracurricular spending with frugality that doesn’t feel punishing. Depending on my mood, my bank account, and my social plans, I can select from a menu of fun. The point isn’t to spend as little money as possible. I’m treating my first year post-grad as an experiment, to figure out which kinds of purchases enable joy, ease, novelty, and connection, and how to sustainably fit them into my life. I’m seeking clarity and peace of mind. I always want to leave room for spontaneity.

I’ve divided my spending into three categories based on cost, and explain the different ways I approach each one.

Free Fun

After moving back to New York after college, I realized how much free fun there is, and I incorporated it into my daily routine. Many of my favorite activities cost nothing at all. Instead, they require deliberateness, energy, and flexibility. When I lived closer to a park, I walked through or around it every day. I loved being among the trees, watching people walk their dogs and run far faster than I can, and reading a book perched on a bench (or a comfortable rock).

Speaking of books…I highly recommend getting a local library card. I don’t know why it took me so long to register for one. I keep the mini version on my keychain, so I can check books out whenever I want. I also have my card connected to my e-reader, so I can download novels immediately.

My boyfriend has a magical pass as a member of museum staff where he gets free tickets at any museum he presents his card to. If you can’t be a lucky plus-one like I am, some museums are free for people under 25 and others are pay-what-you-want for in-state residents. I recommend a quick search for free admission days, or local arts and culture events happening nearby.

Also, this may seem obvious, but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned hang out on someone’s couch. Some of my favorite memories from college are spending hours in my living room, talking at rapid speed with my friends until our throats ran dry and our stomachs hurt from laughing.

Everyday Spending

Perhaps I’m easy-to-please, but a coffee or a matcha really can turn a dull day into one full of excitement and joy. Because I don’t buy a drink out every day, it feels like a special occasion. My general rule of thumb is: will this taste better than something I could make at home? If the answer is yes, I buy the special latte or wood-fired pizza. If it’s no, I skip it, and take a little extra time to cook myself a delicious dinner.

Dining at restaurants is my biggest expense in the fun category. I avoid takeout, because I want my food to be fresh and hot, and restaurants are some of the most wonderful places to spend an evening. I love the dim light, the muffled conversation above quiet music, the strangers I interact with (and the ones I merely observe). My favorite places to eat feel familiar, unfussy, and anti-viral. Ideally the food is delicious, and a little bit mystifying (even if I had the recipe in front of me, I would be at a loss to recreate it).

I don’t feel pressured to say yes to every social outing, but I’m also working on being more flexible. Sometimes, when a friend asks me to go out for dinner on a whim, I get stressed. An unanticipated, unpredictable cost can feel like a burden before it’s even been passed onto me. But then I go, and we drink glasses of red wine at an outdoor table. We pick fries off of a massive pile, eat a dessert that blows our minds. We talk about music and love and outlandish hypotheticals, how it feels to be growing up in a city that moves so fast. When the bill comes and we put our cards down, I no longer feel anxious.

In your own life, maybe you’ll see a movie once a month in theaters, and momentarily allow yourself to melt into another world. Maybe you’ll buy passes to the cold plunge and sauna after a particularly stressful day. Everyone has something they enjoy, and you can find ways to make it attainable and responsible in your everyday life.

Splurges

I have never regretted spending money on a concert ticket. My music taste is narrow and objectively basic (I enjoy singer-songwriter female pop), and I don’t spend hours of my day listening to songs, but every single concert I’ve been to has either been an escape, a revelation, or just a few hours of full-body joy. Last year, my roommate scored general admission floor tickets to a stadium tour of two artists we love. We showed up early, awarded each other with red and blue lanyards that signaled our VIP floor status, and got as close to the barricade as we could. The concert was like a party. We danced the whole time.

Also, not all concerts are expensive! My friend texted me last week to go to a show with a roster of college students. I paid the same amount as a fast-casual salad bowl to see three different bands play alternative, rock, and indie songs. For a last minute, low budget ticket, the show still had serious star power.

The other recent splurge I made was on a six-week ceramics class in Brooklyn. I read my book on the train for an hour, and when the C spit me out in Bed-Stuy, I sat at the wheel and learned how to make bowls, cups, and plates. Wheel-throwing has a very steep learning curve (at least in my experience), but the fact that I had paid in advance for the course motivated me to make the most of my time in the studio. Now I eat yogurt out of my turquoise bowl and drop my earrings in an oyster-shaped tray before I go to bed. And I miss doing pottery all the time.

Spending in anticipation of something is a powerful psychological driver -- when I pre-pay for a workout class, movie, or event, I am so much more likely to go. In terms of bigger purchases, I find that my excitement in the leadup to the concert, or in between pottery classes, adds to the value of the experience. When I enroll in or subscribe to something, I always want to reap the most benefit by actually using it. Find something that lights you up, and enjoy it completely.

You definitely don’t need to spend money to have fun. There are a vast number of opportunities for exploration, joy, and wonder in the world, which come at different price points. My life at various moments in time looks like a combination of items from each of these categories. I encourage you to use this article as a guide, and experiment with activities until you find a balance that both works for your budget, and fills your life with joy and satisfaction.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

However, there’s one teeny-tiny problem. I didn’t budget for all this fun, and these summer bucket list activities can add up. But don’t you fret: you can still have a sublime summer and keep your financial goals in check. I know, because I’ve managed to pull it off before.

Caps are your friends. And I’m not talking about ballcaps.

Since a lot of these summer bucket list purchases are smaller purchases, budgeting for them can require a different approach.

I suggest trying category caps: cutting yourself off once you spend X amount of money on any category, such as treats or clothes. You could do this manually with a little thing I call self-control, or just by keeping a close eye on your spending with daily check-ins.

Learn to live with FOMO

I truly hate to break this to you, but if you want to curb your summer spending, you will have to be at peace with turning down some activities with friends.

Saying “nah” could harsh the vibe, and be hard to do, but establishing your financial boundaries is one of the most important skills to build up.

I like to frame my financial goal as a positive, not a negative. Say your friend asks you to go to the movies, but you’ve already exhausted your July entertainment budget. Instead of saying “ugh, you know money is tight right now...”, try “Thanks for the invite, but I’m saving up to buy a new TV. Half way there!” Now, the energy stays positive, and we aren’t dwelling on the negative.

Invest into fun activities you can do at home, so that way nights in don’t feel so sad. I’m personally a fan of grabbing puzzles from the thrift store (except when they’re missing pieces……. whoever donates those should get locked out of their phone indefinitely). Spending time by yourself can be a gorg way to recharge, especially during summer’s bumping social calendar. Alone, but not lonely, am I right?

Pick up a cheap hobby like watercolors, get a book from the library, or pick up a new sport and follow a local team. There’s tons of cheap summer fun to be had while enjoying your rent. Plus, you can invite your friends to join in. Be a founding member of a watercolor painting club!

Fuel your summer

Here’s some other low-effort, high-reward suggestions to fund your summer lifestyle and offset the summer spendies.

• Cut out some streaming subscriptions for the summer! If you’re spending time outside living life anyways, this sounds like the perf opportunity to lower your screentime.

• Buy food in bulk + cook at home more often. Turns out your mom was onto something with her “we have food at home” schtick. Eating a majority of meals at home, or taking up meal prepping, can free up more of your budget for activities with friends.

• Carpool to activities or use public transit when it’s available to you. Sometimes a longer route lets you appreciate the destination more. Or at least it means you can actually finish your podcast episode.

The summer bucket list can def be draining for your year-long financial goals if you let it, but there’s a ton of ways you can keep yourself on track. Any or all of these tips can be used: when they’re combined, they’re even more powerful.

You might be mourning your summer break from your schooltime era, but that doesn’t mean your financial goals need to die in these warm months. Let’s summer hard, and save harder.

don’t forget your spf,
the paper stacker

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

I’m guilty of only setting aside the money for the price of the festival ticket, and disregarding all the other purchases that come with a fest. And let me tell you, overdrafting because I needed to buy a portable battery pack was v upsetting.

So if you have a festival coming up, or another big experience, follow this guide. We’ll start by identifying expenses, then creating a savings spreadsheet, and finally looking at other tips for festival day.

You’ve made a playlist, now make a purchase list

So your festival pass is secured, and your wristband is in transit to ya. Friendly reminder: never put that thing on before the actual weekend. Those wristbands are designed in a lab to stay locked on your wrist once you put them on.

What’s the first step to grasping how much cash you need for a festival? Pulling together a list of expenses before hitting the festival grounds. What are you dropping on lodging and travel? Whether you’re camping, or splitting a hotel room seven ways, lock down that concrete number asap.

After the big ticket purchases are noted, what else are must-haves? Are you assembling a brand new wardrobe, or purchasing essential gear, like a collapsible water bottle, phone charger, fan, or protective earplugs? (It’s never too early to prevent tinnitus.)

Even if you’re a pro festival goer, there’s still single-use items you need to stock up on, like hydration powders or sunscreen.

The spreadsheet is spreadsheeting

Once you’ve made your list of everything you need to buy for the festival (and left a little miscellaneous category, bc we’re all forgetful and might leave out a key purchase) now it’s time to spreadsheet it up.

Even if you have a perfectly accurate idea of how much money you need to save before the festival, it can be intimidating to figure out a doable savings plan.

Enter: the budgeting spreadsheet. Building your spreadsheet is as easy as 1-2-3. You’ll prob have a harder time plotting out which festival stages to hit when. Let’s build a spreadsheet to save up for the festival.

1. Shop around for a template.

Did you think we were building our budget spreadsheet from scratch? I might know my way around a spreadsheet cell or two, but templates are the GOAT. The world wide web is full of templates you can download for your spreadsheet software of choice. Pick one with all the features you need: in this case, one with financial goal planning is key.

There’s a lot of free templates out there, but if you find the perfect template that has all the right features, it might be a few bucks. Don’t feel the need to shell out a lot of money for a template that isn’t exactly what you need.

2. Fill ‘er up!

Once you have your template pulled up, now you gotta enter in the info. Grab your income, expenses like bills/groceries/loans, and of course, the $$$ you’re gonna drop on this festival.

3. Set the period.

Now take a peek at the template’s budgeting period. This is the slice of time you’re looking at. Since most expenses hit monthly, a lot of budgeting templates default to a month at a time. You could def break down your budget monthly, or set the period to be the total amount of time until your festival. It’s up to you.

After all these steps, your spreadsheet template should automatically calculate how much you need to save each month.

Your spreadsheet isn’t clicking for you? If you’re more of a visual learner for your savings, try the Chase Savings Tool calculator. Just input your expenses total we pulled together and add some other info about your cash flow. Now you can see how long it’ll take to save up for your fest.

The festival is waiting!

You have your ticket, your roadmap, and excitement for the upcoming festival. I know I get even more amped for an experience when how I’m paying for most of it is squared away.

Now that your budget is set, don’t be like me and throw all your planning away once you step foot on the festival grounds. I have a tendency to go tap-tap-tap with my card once I’m in a festive festival mood. I buy all the merch, all the over the top wagyu-nacho-fries, and all the expensive ride shares home at night. So for my next festival, I’m going to build in a “day-of” fund, and plan for that in my spreadsheet. Then I’ll stop my spending once I hit my day-of limit.

Some expenses are unavoidable sadly. Most festivals don’t let you bring food or drink in, so sustenance is a must-have. Just be smarter than me, and go for the simple (and cheaper) chicken tenders instead of the fancy-schmancy food trucks.

Remember that spreadsheets can be edited at any time. If your friends decide to bail on camping, and opt for a cozy hotel instead (I don’t blame them tbh) you can easily edit the “lodging” cell of your spreadsheet, and see how that impacts your budget.

This specific spreadsheet doesn’t only work for festivals, you know. Now that you have this template down, you can apply it to any long-term financial goal you need to save up for.

Get ready to sing your heart out, and feel even better knowing your wallet is happy with the festival as well.

queue up the savings,
the paper stacker

Calculating tools are provided as a courtesy to help you estimate your financial needs. Results shown are estimates only. Message and data rates may apply from your service provider.

This calculator helps you determine the length of time you will need to save in order to meet a savings goal. This calculator assumes you save with a tax-advantaged account. The time to reach your savings goal is calculated by reducing your savings goal by any initial deposit and then dividing the savings goal by the amount of deposits recurring within a monthly timeframe. For example, if your initial deposit is $120 and monthly recurring deposits of $200 are planned, reaching a savings goal of $1200 is calculated to take 6 months. ($1200 - $120 / ($200/month) = 5.4 months. This calculator rounds to the next whole month.

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©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

One of life’s biggest milestones is moving out of your family home, either on your own or with roomies. And as someone who’s ventured out on their own before, let me tell you there’s soooo much to stay on top of, beyond what color bed sheets you’ll be picking out.

Here’s some of the realities of living on your own, in a bite-sized format. All these moving tips are things I wished I knew when I was moving out.

Get your budget in order

In order to find the right apartment, you simply have to know your budget. It’s heartbreaking to fall in love with something you can’t afford. As a rule of thumb, your rent shouldn’t exceed 30% of your monthly income. And don’t forget about bills + utilities: get sample quotes from electric, internet and water companies in your area to get an idea of what your bills will be. Add all these quotes up to see what’s in your range.

All landlords will ask for a security deposit when you sign the lease: usually one month’s rent, so keep that in mind when pulling together your moving budget. More on protecting that deposit later.

The roomie question

Another key budget question is: will you have roommates or not? Of course, in an ideal world you’d be able to live alone, control the thermostat to your optimal temperature, and take showers as long as you’d like.

But consider the benefits of sharing a space with someone. You can split utilities and furniture plus trade off taking out the trash. Sometimes, the financial upsides of having a roomie outweigh the inner peace you’re missing out on.

You gotta stay ready for the application

To get the keys in your hand when you find your dream apartment, you have to hand over some info to the leasing office. It varies area-to-area, but most landlords require documents such as ID, proof of employment, bank statements and pay stubs. These applications also can cost $$$ too, so something to remember.

My hot tip: bring these docs printed out on your apartment tours, so you can apply on the spot and skip the online portal if you love the place. One time my roommates and I toured the most stunning 3 bedroom with an in-unit washer/dryer, but we didn’t have all our info ready. By the time we got home two hours later and got our app together, someone else had snatched it from us. I hope they appreciate it every time they do their laundry.

Protect that security deposit

You got the keys! Congrats. On move-in day, there is one thing you HAVE to do. Take a video of the entire unit the moment you walk in. This is to help you protect your security deposit.

Your security deposit is there to cover any damages potentially left when you eventually move out. To make sure you aren’t catching blame for an issue caused by a previous tenant, this timestamped video helps you keep as much of the deposit as possible, by establishing how the unit looked when you moved in.

Renter’s insurance

Typically, adding another expense isn’t the vibe of the content here, but I can’t stress enough how important renter’s insurance is, especially for a first apartment. This helps protect from any damages, like fires, leaks and more.

Let’s get down to decorating

As much as you want to have your place adorned with your ideal aesthetic, you can’t decorate the entire place overnight. It’s more important to buy the essentials, then focus on decking out the walls later.

I know you’re gonna want to outfit your entire pad with the top tier furniture you see online, but think of all the deals and hidden gems you could stumble upon if you explore secondhand options like thrift stores or online marketplaces.

Don’t forget the small stuff

One of the benefits of living at home, or in a college setup, is there’s a lot of little things you take for granted. When you’re on your own, you gotta buy them all. Stuff like a plunger, toolkit, and hand soap are day one purchases. (Please don’t skimp on the plunger…)

Keep some money set aside in your budget for these surprise purchases, especially over the first month or so of living on your own. They’ll continue to pop up at random times, like a renter’s whack-a-mole.

Save a safety net

Life happens! Before you plan to move out, start saving up an emergency fund of at least 3 months worth of living expenses. This makes sure you won’t be in major trouble if unexpected life events occur, since landlords won’t really care what’s going on in your life, they just want that rent check to clear on the first. Plus, missing rent payments can mess with your credit score, which is not the tea.

Moving out is a big deal, and it’s ok to be equal parts nervous and excited. There can be a lot to juggle, but these little tips are ones I would’ve appreciated following when I first ventured out on my own.

find that perf pad,
the paper stacker

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

I wouldn’t say spending tons of money on flexing is the most effective financial planning, but what if we could rework the term to make it about a smart budgeting choice?

Introducing: financial flexing, AKA being flexible in how we approach finances. An important trait of someone who is good with money is being flexible in all parts of their money journey, from their bills to their budget.

Flex on your bill payments

Having payday and your utility bills due on the same day can really take the wind out of your sails. Turns out, you actually can adjust some of your bills’ due dates. Figure out what day works best for you, contact your creditors, and ask them if it’s possible to move the due date to your date of choice. Some creditors might have date restrictions, so just be prepared for a little back and forth. Just make sure you clear it with your roommates or partner if you’re sharing bills with them.

Not only can this bring emotional gratification, but it has a budgeting pay off too! Staggering these bill payments can help you smooth out your cash flow, and lead to a better grasp on where your money actually is going.

Flex on your impulse spending

We’re playing the good ole reverse card here. Instead of spending tons on clothes and fancy purchases to flex on others, let’s be flex with our impulse purchases.

There’s a few tactics you could try:

1. Choosing the slowest shipping option

Now this might seem like common sense, but I struggled with this for a while. I want my clothes in my hand now!!!! But use your best judgement. If you’re buying a swimsuit in the offseason to take advantage of the sale, why would you need it ASAP? Choose 7-10 business and yearn baby, yearn over that suit while it’s in the mail.

2. Keep a spending wait list.

If you really want to drop a lot of cash on something, take a sec and put it on a spending wait list. This could be in the notes app in your phone, or a physical notebook. Write down what you want, why you want it, and then force yourself to check back on the list in a few days. You can use this technique for anything, from expensive insta-worthy dinners to booking impromptu trips with friends. If you still feel the burning desire to spend, then do it. When I tried this, 9 times out of 10, I wanted nothing to do with the impulse buy I was pondering a few days before.

3. Wait out the sale.

Online sales wreak emotional manipulation on our brain, putting us in flight or fight mode. Our poor synapses go BUY BUY BUY IT’S OUR LAST CHANCE. So much so, you might be a little conned into buying something just because it was on sale. If this is a common problem for you, then try waiting out the sale, and seeing if the items are speaking to you later, even at full price. Odds are, you’ll feel nothing for that aesthetic wavy mirror when it’s way more $.

‘Flex on your direct deposits

If your job provides direct deposit, that’s the peak of convenience. Paper checks can be harder to keep track of.

But are you getting the most convenience out of your direct deposit? When you set up your direct deposit, you can specifically allocate part of your paycheck to go automatically into your savings account. And you get to control the amount!

You even have the freedom (and flexibility…) to adjust this at any time, so no matter if you’re giving new hire energy, or on season 5 of your personal workplace sitcom, you can take advantage of this feature.

Flex on your budget

A common reason young adults are afraid to budget is the fear they’ll do it wrong. It’s what scared me away when I started. When I tried to build my first budget, I got stuck at the groceries line of the spreadsheet. I thought to myself, “how could I possibly know how much I spend in a month at the grocery store?? It changes every week depending on what I buy???”

I now realize it’s meant to be an estimation… and perhaps tracking my spending for a month could have helped get that number… But my confusion made me freeze up, and I abandoned that budgeting idea real quick.

A few years later, I asked my friend for budgeting advice. I said I was struggling to guesstimate my spending. He told me to just try out what I felt was best, and then tweak as I go.

A lightbulb above my head went off so hard it nearly exploded. It had simply never occurred to me that you could revise your budget whenever you wanted. I had regarded a budget as a permanent, immovable fixture, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. Budgets can flex for any reason, like a new trip coming up, an unexpected increase in bills, or even just your savings priorities changing.

Being responsible with money means flexing. Not showing off for the sake of showing off, but being willing to switch how you’re handling your finances. Handling your money isn’t a one-and-done thing, it’s a practice of continually making smart money moves.

Keep flexing on em,
the paper stacker

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

It’s 11am on a Saturday morning and I’m at one of my favorite consignment stores in Oakland.

I’m greeted by a staff person who looks like an avant-garde goth runway model (shaved head, drapey black tunic thing with moth holes, skirt over pants). The candle that’s burning smells like incense and cedar. I have been secondhand shopping since I was in high school; I feel at ease in a space like this.

I’m not shopping for anything specific, but the curation is good so I’m walking in with an open mind. Last time I was here, I bought two things: a pair of silvery-gray silk pants with metal sequins on the hem, and a sheer black slip dress with major layering potential.

Aside from the clothes, I like coming here just to be in the mix and see how people are shopping secondhand. It’s interesting to observe what trends are resonating, whether they’re just browsing or buying for a specific occasion, and their dressing room thoughts if they try on pieces.

A sheer pink blouse catches my attention, so I float over to it. I think it’s silk, but I’m not entirely sure.

While I check the tag for fabric composition, a gaggle of girls appear from around the corner. They seem like close friends, maybe college students, based on how they’re all dressed in slightly different variations of the same low rise baggy jeans and crop top combo, like a modern version of the Spice Girls.

They’re extremely talkative as they zip from one rack to the other, pulling out pieces and beckoning for the others to take a look. I know this dynamic well: they’re social shoppers.

The activity is more about bonding and interacting, and less so about making a purchase. I overhear them discussing a “cool but expensive” boucle miniskirt, and how they could “thrift something online for less.” We love a confident thrifty queen!

I make my way over to the denim section.

As I start browsing from the left, a woman with curtain bangs, pinstripe overalls and clogs starts browsing from the right. We are bound to do the awkward little dance where we meet in the middle and switch sides. I notice that she’s a brand name shopper, based on the way she’s checking for the logo on the back pockets or the tag on each pair of jeans.

This strategy is familiar to me, because I used to shop this way when I was young and didn’t know how to gauge quality or construction from hand-feel.

In my head, there were certain brands that were reputable or desirable, and that was what drove my purchasing decisions. Admittedly, I ended up with a bunch of clothes that weren’t really my style simply because I wanted to wear a “cool” brand.

40 minutes have passed, and I’m trying on a few items in the dressing room. After slipping on a vintage dress with a zigzag pattern, I step out to look at myself in the “big mirror.”

My dressing room neighbor is a curly-haired woman with an enviable stack of gold bangles on one wrist.

She’s shopping for a wedding guest outfit, and the first option she tries on is a simple pale blue dress with thin straps and a flowy skirt. I can’t help but gush “you look AMAZING in that.” It looks like it was made for her, and I think she knows it too.

She grins and says “yeah, this is the one! I’m not even gonna try on the others.” The epitome of decisive shopper behavior, she marches over to the register to pay.

I admired her resolve and certainty. The appeal of being a decisive shopper is the underlying assumption that you’re so in sync with your sartorial taste and your budget that it’s easy to make decisions when shopping.

Every type of shopper makes spending decisions differently, and I think everyone is a combination of all three.

In my experience, the biggest pro of being a decisive shopper is saving time and money because you know what you’re looking for, rather than getting distracted by the act of browsing and buying more than you intended.

There was a time when I was proud of myself for walking into a consignment store while reminding myself, “I’m looking for a full-length graduation dress and my budget is $100.” It turned out nothing fit my criteria at that store, so I waited it out until I found one online that checked all my boxes.

Don’t get me wrong though, I go on social shopping dates because it’s fun to hang out with friends. There is pleasure to just browsing and having conversations with each other about clothes, and seeing each other try things on. Admittedly though, I do tend to get caught up in the moment and buy things because I see my friends are. Recently, I was out shopping with a friend for nothing in particular, and she found a little handbag with a pink flower button clasp. The fact that she thought it was cute stoked my desire for the handbag, despite the fact that I hadn’t noticed it on my own. I had to talk myself out of buying it. For me, this is the biggest con of social shopping—falling to subtle moments of peer influence and risk overspending.

Shopping by brand name has its benefits and drawbacks as well. I definitely shop by brand name when I’m searching for something specific. It helps narrow down my search and be specific with my shopping criteria. Also, if you end up reselling your clothes on the secondhand market, I have found that a brand name piece typically retains more value than one without. In this case, it can be a wise financial decision. However, there have also been situations where I buy something just because I was enamored by the brand or designer—and I’m left with a sense of purchase regret after the initial honeymoon period wears off, and I realize I don’t actually like the item itself very much.

The takeaway here is that while there is no singular or optimal way to be a shopper, there are modes of shopping that can make you more or less prone to overspending vs. saving. It’s normal to experience some purchase regrets; these are all learning experiences. I try to look back on my money mistakes with compassion and empathy for my younger self.

Shopping is human, and it’s messy. Embrace it.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.