Ah, money! It’s all around us and as they say in the musical ‘Cabaret’ – money makes the world go round… so why are so many of us still feeling intimidated by the thought of getting a handle on our money?
In my twenties, I kept waiting for that magical moment when I’d finally feel financially “safe.” I figured if I could just earn a little more, I’d be okay.
But no matter how many promotions or pay bumps I got, I still felt broke. Every raise came with more pressure, more spending, and somehow, less freedom. It was the exact opposite of what I thought more money would give me.
When I asked for advice, the answers were always the same:
“Just spend less.”
“Stick to your budget.”
“Invest early and often.”
Honestly? It made me feel like I was doing everything wrong, missing something… or maybe I just ‘wasn’t good with money’ (heard that one before?)
I wasn’t lazy. I wasn’t blowing cash on dumb things. I just couldn’t seem to get ahead.
And the worst part? Every budget I tried made life feel smaller. Like financial success meant choosing between a meal with friends now or a future off in the distance..
What’s Broken Isn’t Our Spending. It’s the Framework
Traditional budgeting focuses on maths, not meaning. It’s a restriction mindset. Much like a diet. As soon as you tell yourself you’re on a diet, the first thing you crave is a Tim Tam! Budgets are like that! This restriction mindset is our achilles heel, and misses the point that we don’t just spend to survive—we spend to feel joy, status, identity, relief.
Telling someone to “cut out their lattes” or “stick to 50/30/20” doesn’t fix the emotional chaos underneath.
We’re living in a world of rising costs, social pressure, and instant gratification.
Strict budgeting is like a diet you can’t wait to cheat on.
The Fix Isn’t Stricter Rules. It’s a Smarter Relationship
What we need isn’t just control.
It’s clarity.
It’s confidence.
It’s a framework that teaches us how to enjoy money without sabotaging our future.
The real question isn’t “How do I spend less?”
It’s “How do I manage money in a way that fits real life and still builds wealth for my future self?”
The Gorilla Tactics System
After years of feeling out of control with my money and many trials and errors, I created a system that actually worked.
I called it Gorilla Tactics because it’s strong, no-nonsense, and built to hold up when life gets messy.
It starts with one idea:
You can’t manage money you can’t see.
Step 1: Review 6 months of spending.
Sort every transaction into 3 buckets:
- Income – what comes in
- Discretionary day-to-day – fun/flexible spending (e.g. groceries, eating out, entertainment, gym, subscriptions, clothes, transport)
- Non-discretionary – boring but necessary expenses (e.g. rent, utilities, insurance, bills)
TIP: What do you notice? Are you happy with what went where? What felt mindless? What felt excessive? What felt…. let’s say it…. a little guilty?
Step 2: Figure out your weekly allocations
Regardless of how often you get paid, work out your average weekly earnings.
Work out your bills for the year and calculate a weekly spend.
Work out how much you’d like to save each week.
The balance is your weekly discretionary spending.
Step 3: Set up 3 accounts in different banks.
- Income Account – where money lands
- Bills Account – weekly transfer to cover fixed costs
- Fun Account – weekly allowance, linked to a debit card only
Your weekly transfers go into two accounts: one for bills (your non-discretionary costs), and one for fun (your discretionary day-to-day spending).
Once money’s gone from your Fun Account, that’s it. You have no money to buy things. You wait till next week’s transfer to arrive.
The rest stays in your Income Account. What I call forced savings.
When bills turn up, the money is there and ready. This isn’t a spreadsheet system. It’s a thinking system. It gives you clarity without making you feel small.
Why It Works
You stop guessing.
You stop feeling behind.
You stop spending just to feel caught up.
Most importantly, you stop waiting for the next raise or breakthrough.
You realise: you’re already in the driver’s seat.
The Foundation of Real Wealth
I’ve used this system for over 20 years. I credit it with everything I’ve built financially.
If budgeting has ever made you feel smaller, not stronger, you’re not imagining it.
It’s not that you’re bad with money. It’s that the system you were given doesn’t work for the world we live in.
It’s time for a new game. One built on intention, not restriction.
How would it feel to know, with confidence, exactly how much you could save each year, while still spending freely on the things you love, guilt-free?
By Salena Kulkarni
About the author
Salena Kulkarni is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Property Investment Adviser, and long-time investor. She’s the founder of the I Can Be Wealthy program, where she helps everyday Australians understand money, build confidence with investing, and grow long-term wealth, step by step. With over 30 years of financial experience and a straight-talking, practical approach, Salena is passionate about making financial education accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.
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