For years, I found myself stuck in a relentless cycle: working multiple jobs, chasing project after project, and constantly terrified that I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills. Despite the hustle, my debt kept growing, and the fear of never having “enough” money loomed over me.
I kept telling myself, I just need more money.
But here’s the hard truth I learned: Saying “I need more money” is disempowering. It keeps us stuck in a fog of uncertainty and panic, never really addressing the root of the problem. Because without clarity on what our lives actually cost us, “more” is a moving target we’ll never reach.
The Power of Knowing Your Numbers
It wasn’t until I got brutally honest about my finances that things started to shift. I sat down, pulled out my bank statements, and looked at the past six months of my spending. I won’t lie—it was overwhelming at first. But what I gained from that exercise was life-changing.
By bringing awareness to my actual expenses, I:
- Gained clarity on what my life truly costs.
- Identified areas where I could make small, intentional changes.
- Created a plan to focus on income that aligned with my creative passions while meeting my financial needs.
This isn’t about depriving yourself or feeling guilty about past choices. It’s about shining a light on your reality so you can take control. Once I had the numbers in front of me, I realized I didn’t need to keep overworking myself. I just needed to work smarter.
Working Smarter, Not Harder
When you know exactly how much you need to sustain your life and creative work, everything changes:
- Those side jobs that once felt draining now have a purpose. You’re no longer working endlessly, but with intention—to meet your needs and fund your creative pursuits.
- You feel empowered to adjust your spending, ensuring your resources go toward what truly matters to you.
For me, tracking my expenses and aligning my spending with my values didn’t leave me feeling deprived—it left me feeling free.
Start Small, Start Today
You don’t need to figure it all out overnight. Start by committing to tracking your expenses moving forward. In just a few months, you’ll have all the data you need to make informed decisions about your finances and your creative life.
To make this easier, here are two tools I highly recommend for tracking your finances:
- Empower (Free): A straightforward, user-friendly tool for tracking spending, budgeting, and setting financial goals.
- Quicken – Classic Premier (Inexpensive): Perfect for creatives who want a more hands-on approach to managing their money and planning ahead.
Your Creativity Deserves Financial Freedom
Getting clear on your finances isn’t just about paying the bills—it’s about building a foundation that supports your creativity. When you know your numbers, you can make informed choices, free yourself from financial fear, and direct your energy toward the work that inspires you.
The process might feel overwhelming at first, but trust me—it’s worth it. Empower yourself by knowing your numbers. Your future self (and your creative work) will thank you.
