It used to happen all the time.
I never learned or even tried to change it when I knew it was going to happen again.
Another night out with friends, another bar or club. Having a great time while laughing and making memories.
The memory that haunts me is the feeling of the hangovers and recovery time.
After a long night, I was sure to have a long morning.
Unproductive morning.
Letting the day pass by without doing anything to benefit my growth, my home, or my mind.
Recovering each time wasted precious time I could have used more beneficial.
We often hear “time is money,” but we rarely pause to unpack what that really means in our lives.
For me, it wasn’t just a catchy phrase. It was a lifestyle I had to unlearn. I was constantly giving away hours that didn’t feel expensive in the moment, but cost me growth, income, peace, and clarity over time.
This post isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest with ourselves about how we’re spending our time and how to use it smarter, not harder.
1. The Time Drain We Don’t See Until It’s Gone
Let’s talk about the invisible expenses of our daily choices.
Most of us are conditioned to think about money in obvious ways: bills, subscriptions, groceries, rent. But how often do we calculate the cost of a wasted weekend? A 3-hour Netflix watch? A late night that erases the entire next day?
It’s easy to dismiss those hours because they don’t come with a receipt. But every hour you trade for recovery, distraction, or avoidance is an hour you didn’t spend moving your life forward. That’s the time you could’ve used to update your resume, brainstorm a business idea, read 10 pages, or just reset your mental space.
We all need rest, fun, and downtime. I’m not talking about guilt. It’s about awareness. When your days keep passing you by with nothing to show for them, you start to feel stuck. Not because you’re lazy, but because your time isn’t aligned with your goals.
2. Your Time Has Value, Even If You Don’t Always See It
If I gave you $100 for every productive hour you spent today, would you do anything differently?
The truth is, most of us are being paid by the hour in some form or another. Whether it’s a 9-5 job, side hustle, freelance work, or content creation, your time is either building your bank account or your future opportunities.
Even unpaid hours matter. Time spent building skills, networking, organizing your space, or taking care of your health directly affects your ability to earn, grow, and show up. It all counts.
Once you internalize that your time is valuable, you stop giving it away so easily. You start thinking in terms of trade-offs: “If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?” That mindset shift alone can transform your schedule and your money.
3. Working Smarter Means Prioritizing Better
You don’t need to fill every hour of your day with hustle. In fact, that’s often the opposite of smart time management.
What matters most is what you do, not just how long you’re doing it.
Here’s a quick check-in to help you evaluate your time:
Does this action support my future self?
Will I feel better or worse after this hour is over?
Is this activity something I’ve chosen intentionally or fallen into by default?
When you learn to prioritize tasks that create long-term value like automating savings, building a skill, or investing in your relationships, you get more return from fewer hours.
That’s the core of working smarter.
4. Audit Your Time Like You Audit Your Spending
We track our budgets to stop financial leaks. But what about time leaks?
Try this: For one week, write down how you spend each hour of your day. No judgment. Just track it.
You’ll likely notice patterns:
Scrolling during “breaks” that last 45 minutes.
Saying yes to things you didn’t really want to do.
Avoiding uncomfortable tasks and calling it “rest.”
Once I started tracking my time like I tracked my spending, it changed everything. I saw that the hangovers weren’t just costing me Saturday and Sunday mornings. They were costing me clean energy, clarity, and consistency.
When you spot the leaks, you can patch them. You don’t have to overhaul your life. Just be 10% more intentional this week than last.
5. Give Your Time Purpose, Not Just a Schedule
Productivity hacks are helpful. Time blocks, calendar systems, reminders. They work. But the goal isn’t just to do more. It’s to be more present and aligned with who you’re becoming.
That’s why I say give your time purpose, not just structure.
Ask yourself:
What’s one thing I can do today that will compound over time?
What would I still be proud of doing a year from now?
What kind of life am I building, and does my time reflect that?
Some of the best uses of your time won’t feel productive. Journaling. Walking. Deep rest. Real conversations. Saying no. These are all acts of self-respect and clarity. And that clarity will save you time and money in the long run.
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6. Time Management Is Self-Respect in Disguise
When you start protecting your time, people might not understand it. They might say you’re too focused, too unavailable, too disciplined.
Let them.
Respecting your time is how you build self-trust. It’s how you go from surviving to building something that lasts.
And the truth is, when you manage your time better, you often need less of it to create the same (or better) results. You start buying back your mornings, your peace, your presence. A different kind of wealth.
Time Is a Non-Refundable Currency
Every minute you spend is gone forever. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. It just means you get to choose.
Today, I spend more time with my family, on projects that align with my mission, and in spaces that restore me. I still make memories, but now they don’t come with a price tag of lost days or shame-filled mornings.
The difference? I treat my time like money. I invest it where it grows. I protect it from what drains me. I no longer trade it for temporary highs that come with long-term lows.
You don’t need more time. You need better habits around how you use the time you already have.
Because your time is money.
And you deserve to spend both wisely.
❤️ If you find this helpful, leave a heart and share to support my work!
Cervante Burrell, M.Ed., CFEI®, is the founder of Money Tips Money Hacks, a financial wellness educator, husband, and proud father dedicated to helping others thrive financially from the inside out.
Start spending in alignment with who you are, what you value, and the life you’re actually building.
The Psychology of Your Spending guide shows you how. Coming September 22nd, 2025.
Very Informative and thanks for sharing
Thank you