How I Started Following the Money Trail

You know how people say, “Follow the money” like it’s some secret agent tip? Well, for me, it became a way of life. Not in the spy-thriller sense (though that would be cool), but in the everyday-real-life-how-do-I-not-go-broke sense.

It started with a loose quarter I found on the sidewalk. That small moment made me pause. If I could find money in plain sight, how much more was I missing in my daily spending? I began noticing unused subscriptions, overpriced coffee runs, and forgotten fees that were quietly stealing my coins.

At the time, I was living paycheck to paycheck. My rent ate half my income, and the rest scattered across random purchases, convenience foods, and digital clutter. I wasn’t irresponsible—I just wasn’t paying attention. That quarter on the ground wasn’t just change—it was a wake-up call.

I decided to run a little experiment: for one month, I would track every dollar that came in or out. Every snack, every impulse buy, every automatic draft. What I discovered shocked me. I was spending nearly $200 a month on things I didn’t even remember buying.

So I started making changes. I canceled three unused subscriptions that had been draining $40 a month. I switched grocery stores. I made coffee at home with cinnamon and oat milk (fancy, I know). I learned how to say “no” to myself in the Target clearance aisle.

Then came the fun part: I started finding money in places I never expected.

• A rewards card I forgot to activate—$25.
• A class-action lawsuit payout—$11.
• A box of old electronics I sold online—$200.

I wasn’t earning more. I was just becoming more aware. More intentional. More financially awake.

I turned my life into a money treasure hunt—tracking every dollar, testing budgeting hacks, and learning how to stretch my paycheck like elastic. “Richernomics” was born out of that mindset: finding wealth hidden in plain sight and building it, one smart choice at a time.

Now, this blog is my way of passing on the treasure map. If you’ve ever felt like you’re working too hard just to stay broke, or like you’re missing out on some secret path to financial freedom—you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy.

You’re just one money trail away from discovering the rich life you deserve.

Let’s follow it together.