One Big Win

Instead of tracking every dollar and feeling guilty about a coffee, find one big win. Negotiate your rent down by $100/month — that's $1,200 per year. Refinance your car loan and save $75/month — $900 per year. Switch car insurance providers and save $500 per year.

The beauty of big wins is they keep paying forever. Cutting your coffee habit requires daily willpower. Negotiating your rent requires one awkward conversation. The negotiation saves more and costs less effort. Focus your energy where the return is highest.