You know that awful feeling when you check your bank account after a weekend?
Yeah, I was living in that feeling.
Every single payday, my money would vanish faster than a Netflix show gets canceled.
Sound familiar?
I tried everything the money gurus preached – cutting out my daily coffee, ditching takeout, living on beans and rice.
But let’s be honest, who can stick to those extreme budgets?
Not me, and probably not you either.
Then I stumbled across this thing called the 1% money hack on TikTok (of all places).
And no, it’s not about investing or crypto or any of that complicated stuff.
It’s way simpler, and that’s why it actually works.
What’s This 1% Thing Actually About?
Here’s the deal: instead of trying to transform into some super-saver overnight, you just focus on getting 1% better with your money each day.
That’s it. No extreme couponing required. No giving up your morning coffee. Just tiny, baby-step changes.
Think about when you’re cleaning your room.
If you try to do it all at once, it’s overwhelming.
But if you just pick up one thing each time you walk by?
Before you know it, your room’s clean. That’s exactly how this money hack works.
My Journey (The Honest, No-Filter Version)
Starting Out: The Wake-Up Call
My first change was embarrassingly simple – I started looking at my bank account every morning while having breakfast.
Not just when I was scared I’d overdraft (we’ve all been there), but every single day.
Want to know what I found?
I was spending money on a meditation app I hadn’t opened in forever.
Plus paying for a streaming service I forgot about when I switched to my roommate’s family plan.
And don’t even get me started on the gym membership I was keeping “just in case.”
Quick First Wins:
- Canceled unused subscriptions: +$45
- Started using a free money tracking app: +$0 but priceless awareness
- Switched to a cheaper Spotify plan: +$10 Total saved: $55 (Hey, it’s a start!)
Getting Into the Groove
Once I got comfortable tracking my spending, things got interesting.
Instead of making huge changes, I started playing “Spot the Money Leak.” Every purchase became a little game of “Could this be 1% cheaper?”
Some real examples that actually worked:
- Switched from premium to budget grocery stores for basics (saved about $200)
- Called my phone company and just asked for a better plan (saved $35)
- Started meal prepping on Sundays (saved roughly $300 on random takeout)
- Found a local coffee shop with a loyalty program (saved $20) Total savings: $555
Here’s a secret: I still get my fancy coffee sometimes. But now it’s a treat, not a daily habit that’s eating my bank account alive.
When Things Got Interesting
This is where the magic started happening.
All those little 1% changes weren’t just saving me money – they were changing how I thought about spending.
The Game-Changers:
- Started using cashback apps for everything (earned about $100)
- Switched to a credit card with better rewards (got $500 signup bonus)
- Found a cheaper gym with better equipment (saved $40)
- Started buying household stuff in bulk (saved about $50)
- Split streaming accounts with friends (saved $15) Total savings: $705
Pro tip: Did you know you can negotiate pretty much any bill? I didn’t! Just call and ask if there are any promotions or better rates. The worst they can say is no.
The Final Push
By this point, saving money became kind of… fun? I know, it sounds crazy. But watching your bank account grow without feeling deprived is actually pretty addictive.
Final Money Moves:
- Set up automatic savings transfers (because lazy saving is still saving)
- Started selling stuff I didn’t need online
- Found a side gig doing social media for a local shop
- Learned to do my own nails (saved $60 on manicures)
The Real Numbers (Because We All Want the Tea)
Starting point: Saving maybe $200 (if I was lucky) End point: Consistently saving $1,866
Total saved: $10,000
But here’s what’s really wild – my life isn’t actually that different. I still go out with friends. I still order takeout sometimes. I still buy things I want. I just do it all a little bit smarter.
Want to Try This Yourself?
Here’s how to start (seriously, you can do this today):
- Download money tracking app (like YNAB)
- Look at last month’s spending (I know it’s scary, but do it anyway)
- Find ONE thing you could improve by 1%
- That’s it. Just one thing.
Some Super Easy 1% Changes to Start With:
- Check if your phone plan is the cheapest option
- Look through your subscriptions (we all have forgotten ones)
- Compare prices at different grocery stores
- Download a cashback app
- Join loyalty programs for places you already shop
- Unsubscribe from shopping emails (your impulse purchases will thank you)
The Honest Truth About This Hack
Look, I’m not going to lie to you – saving $10,000 might not happen for everyone.
Maybe you’ll save more, maybe less. It depends on your income, your expenses, and your situation.
But here’s what I promise: if you try this 1% thing, you’ll save something. And something is always better than nothing, right?
The best part? You don’t have to become a totally different person.
You don’t have to give up everything you love. You just have to be 1% smarter about your money each day.
What’s Next For You?
Start small. Like, really small. Remember, 1% is enough.
Don’t try to change everything at once – that’s usually why most money-saving attempts fail (trust me, I’ve failed plenty of times).
Some Final Tips That Actually Work:
- Tell a friend about what you’re doing (accountability is everything)
- Celebrate your wins, no matter how small
- Don’t beat yourself up if you mess up
- Keep track of your progress (it’s motivating to see the numbers grow)
- Make it fun – turn it into a game or challenge
What’s your first 1% going to be?
Start with something so small it feels almost too easy.
That’s exactly where I started, and look where it got me.
Now it’s your turn – what tiny change could you make today?