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If I asked you to picture someone who's good with money... what pops into your mind?

The extreme couponer who somehow pays $5 for a cartload of groceries?

The high-powered exec with a bursting savings account?

That semi-annoying friend who's always making "smart moves" — constantly investing, budgeting every penny, never splurging, never charging coffee to her credit card. But would you ever picture... yourself?

Earlier this year, I asked that question — "What's a sign that someone is good with money?" — to a group of about 50 friends and colleagues. (It's an ongoing, completely unscientific little survey I've been running for a while now.)

A lot of the answers were, honestly, pretty unrealistic — describing ultra-disciplined, joyless lifestyles that I can't imagine anyone I know actually living.

"Saves every possible dollar," answered one. "Tons of cash in the bank," responded another. "They always get the best deal," wrote a third. My favorite response was the person who simply wrote, "Fully. Optimized. Taxes." My least favorite was "cuts their own hair."

Some other answers I got: "Avoids all debt." "Tries to invest as much as they spend." "Has a financial advisor." "Tracks their spending religiously." "Doesn't eat out. Period."

A lot of these are solid money habits, no doubt. But they're also pretty tough to pull off in real life, and sometimes unnecessarily frugal. (Looking at you, "cuts their own hair." I mean, really.)

But then, a few other voices chimed in with ideas that were... quieter. Smaller. Different.

"I make sure to always replenish my emergency savings if I have to dip into it."

"Keeps all their credit card balances in check (so much less stress since I started working on this!)"

"I know I've saved money paying things off before they accrue any interest."

Funny enough, these responses were almost always accompanied by the disclaimer, "But I don't know a lot about money, so don't use my advice!"

Maybe being "good with money" isn't about hustling for every deal or building a perfect budget. Maybe it's about staying steady, knowing what matters, and maintaining habits that keep you in control and let you live comfortably on your terms, even if it doesn't look flashy from the outside.

The good news? You might already be doing some of these things without realizing it. Let's see if any of these subtle signs of being good with money sound like you.

1. You Know Where Your Money Goes

If you've got a ballpark idea of what you spend, you're already ahead of the game. This doesn't mean obsessively tracking every coffee, but knowing roughly how much goes toward rent, bills, groceries, subscriptions — and yes, those occasional splurges — keeps you in control.

Think of it like a mental map. You don't necessarily need to obsessively track every step, just enough to avoid getting lost. So, if you can answer, "How much did you spend on takeout last month?" with something close to the truth, you're doing just fine.

Turns out, simply knowing where your money's going is a big step in managing it well.

How to Start: Try tracking just one or two spending categories, like groceries or takeout, for a month. It can give you insight without overwhelming you.

2. You Have Specific Financial Goals (Even Small Ones)

Maybe you're saving for a big dream like a house — or maybe it's just a small fund for weekend getaways. Either way, having any goal means you're thinking ahead and giving your money a purpose.

Goals help keep your spending in check and make your financial habits intentional. Even if your target is modest, having one means you're already on the right track.

How to Start: Set a small, realistic goal. Write it down and give yourself a timeline — even a loose one — to start turning it into reality.

3. You Can Resist Impulse Buys

Impulse buys? They're everywhere, from the checkout aisle to that "limited time only" online sale. But if you can resist the urge — even just sometimes — you're showing some serious financial maturity. Maybe you've caught yourself about to click "buy" on something you don't really need and then paused to think, "Do I really want this?"

That little pause? It's powerful.

Being able to delay a purchase — even if it's just to "think about it for a day" — shows that you're putting thought into your spending. It means you're in control, choosing to buy what actually matters and leaving the rest. So if you can say no to that trendy new gadget or walk out of a store with only what you went in for, give yourself some credit. It's not about being a saint with money; it's about knowing when a "want" can wait.

How to Start: Try the 24-hour rule — if you see something you want, wait a day before buying. This extra time lets you decide if it's a want or just a passing whim.

4. You're Consistent with Savings

Maybe you're not stockpiling fortunes each month, but if you're consistently setting aside $20, $50, or even loose change, you're doing better than you might think. The magic isn't in the amount — it's in the habit. Regular savings, however small, build up over time, and the impact becomes visible.

Think of it as flexing a financial muscle. Every little bit you put aside is a win, whether it's for emergencies, a future goal, or just the security of knowing you have a cushion. Saving is one of those things where slow and steady really does win the race. If you've been tucking away even a small amount whenever possible, you're already in the habit of building your future bit by bit.

How to Start: Set up an automatic transfer, even if it's just $10 per paycheck. Consistency makes saving easier and helps the habit stick.

5. You Have a Backup Plan for Emergencies

An emergency plan doesn't mean you need a giant rainy-day fund or a complicated strategy. It could be as simple as having a small savings buffer, knowing where you'd borrow if things got tight, or just having a backup plan in place if an unexpected cost comes up. Financial peace of mind isn't only about having it all — it's about having something.

That cushion, however small, shows you're thinking ahead and making your own safety net. Knowing you have a way to cover the unexpected, even if it's modest, puts you in a better position than you might realize. So, if you've built up a small emergency fund or have any kind of backup plan, give yourself credit; you're prepared to handle the bumps in the road, and that's no small thing.

How to Start: Begin by setting aside a small emergency fund — aim for $100 to get started, then add as you're able. Even a small buffer can make a big difference.

6. You Pay Attention to Your Financial Activity

If you're someone who regularly checks their bank accounts or scans credit card statements, give yourself some, ahem, credit. This habit keeps you aware of what's going on with your money, helping you avoid any surprise charges, accidental overspending, or fraud.

It doesn't have to mean daily checking or obsessing over every dollar. Even just a weekly or monthly glance to stay in the loop shows that you're taking an active role in managing your finances. So if you're already doing this? That's a sign you're ahead of the game.

How to Start: Try a weekly five-minute check-in to look over your transactions and make sure everything's as expected. It's a small habit that adds up.

7. You Don't Feel a Need to Compare Your Lifestyle to Others'

If you're able to resist the urge to measure your lifestyle against someone else's — whether it's their vacations, home, car, or latest tech — you're already a step ahead in managing your money. It's easy to get caught up in what others are doing (and buying), but knowing that their journey doesn't define yours shows a sense of self-confidence. You understand that what's right for someone else doesn't have to be right for you, and that's powerful.

By focusing on what aligns with your own values, you're building a life that feels meaningful to you — without feeling pressured to keep up with anyone else (or buy something just because "everyone else" is). And that's a big deal. This perspective keeps you on track toward your goals, helping you stay grounded and avoid financial stress.

How to Start: Identify what truly matters to you, and set personal goals based on those values. Living "the good life" isn't about keeping up; it's about creating a life that feels good to you.

8. You Set Aside "Fun Money"

If you're someone who gives yourself a little room to enjoy life while sticking to your budget, you're already balancing financial health with happiness. Setting aside money specifically for fun — whether it's for hobbies, dining out, or spontaneous splurges — means you understand that being good with money isn't just about saving. It's about finding a balance that lets you enjoy today while planning for tomorrow.

Having "fun money" keeps you from feeling restricted and actually makes it easier to stick to your financial goals long term. After all, life is about more than just numbers in an account.

How to Start: Create a "fun fund" in your budget, even if it's a small amount each month. Knowing you have guilt-free money to spend on what you love makes budgeting feel more balanced.

9. You Keep an Eye on Your Credit Score

Keeping an eye on your credit score may seem like a minor detail, but it's a smart habit that shows you're engaged with your financial health. Credit scores impact a lot — loans, interest rates, and even some job applications — so understanding where yours stands is a proactive step toward stability.

Keeping an eye on your score isn't about obsessing; it's about staying aware. By checking in, you're ensuring there are no surprise dings on your credit, and you're better positioned to make smart decisions if you ever want to buy a home, refinance, or get a car loan.

How to Start: Sign up for a free credit monitoring service that alerts you to changes in your score, and get your free annual credit report from each of the three credit agencies (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax) every year.

10. You Live Within Your Means

Living within your means is one of the clearest signs that someone is good with money. If you're able to stick to what you can afford without stretching your budget, you're building a strong foundation for long-term financial health. This doesn't mean never treating yourself or splurging; it's about being intentional with your spending and making sure it aligns with what you value, not what you "should" have.

Avoiding lifestyle inflation — those subtle, creeping upgrades as income grows — means you're prioritizing long-term stability over temporary upgrades. This habit keeps you grounded and focused on what truly matters.

How to Start: Take a moment to check in on your monthly spending to make sure it fits comfortably within your income. Living within your means now gives you room to grow financially in the future.

If you spotted yourself in any of these signs, take a moment to celebrate. Being "good with money" isn't about perfection, nor is it about following overly strict (and frankly, unrealistic) rules or hitting every financial target. It's about those everyday choices that help you stay in control.

So, whether you're keeping an eye on your spending, setting a few goals, or saving small amounts regularly, you're already on a solid path. And the best part? Each of these "quiet wins" adds up over time, building the foundation for even bigger financial moves.

Keep going. Small steps make a big difference, and you might already be well on your way.