3. Audit yourself: After a certain amount of time, you'll need to turn your observations into action. This might happen best once a larger cycle of time has passed, perhaps a season (about four months) or even half a year. (That way, you'll have a more reliable understanding of your long-term spending habits, including splurges and special events. "Look back on old months to recognize trends in spending — e.g. how much money have I spent total on clothes this year? How did that feel? Could I have spent more/less?"