Put simple, money journalling is the act of writing about your money. But it’s not just about tracking dollars and cents. It’s a gentle way to get curious about your financial habits and the emotions that sit behind them. “It’s about understanding our traits,” says Darlene Neu, financial wellbeing expert and co-founder of The Money Collective. “If we understand our behaviours, we’ll make better money decisions.”
The idea isn’t new—in fact, it’s inspired by a Japanese practice called kakeibo, which blends budgeting with mindfulness. But in today’s world of rising living costs and financial stress, it’s never felt more relevant.
Why it’s worth a try
From past experiences to childhood learnings, our money feelings can shape how we spend, save and stress. “Money journalling helps unpack those beliefs,” explains Neu. “When you write down your money story, you start to realise what ideas you want to keep and what you’re ready to let go of.”
And while it may sound counterintuitive, jotting these things down can help make your financial goals easier to achieve. “When people do the emotional work, they will often find their budgets start to stick.”
Secrets to success
The good news is that there’s no perfect way to do it—and no need to be neat or polished. To make the most of it, “your writing needs to be quite free-from,” says Neu. “Just grab a blank page and see what comes out.” Writing by hand can help you slow down and reflect. You might find yourself adding sketches, doodles or even clippings—anything that speaks to how you feel or what you’re working towards. And don’t rush it. “It’s not a one-and-done thing. The more you revisit journalling, the more insights you’ll uncover.”
Five prompts to try
- How do I feel about my finances today?
- What does financial freedom look like to me?
- What are my biggest money fears and where do they come from?
- What habits do I want to change—and why?
- What’s one small step I could take this week to feel more secure?
