How To Tell If You’re Actually Making Financial Progress
Are You Truly Building Wealth?
There’s a strange feeling that sneaks up on you when you’re finally starting to get your money right.
It’s not flashy.
It doesn’t throw a party.
And it definitely doesn’t come with confetti or a shiny notification from your bank that says, “You’re officially doing amazing, my friend.”
No, financial progress whispers. It hums in the background while you’re busy living life. And most of us miss it because we’re looking for something louder, something more Instagram-worthy.
But honestly: real financial progress looks boring on the outside and feels peaceful on the inside.
And if you’re not sure you’re making progress, there’s a good chance you actually are.
Let me show you how to tell.
You Don’t Realize It’s Payday Until You Check Your Bank Account
That happened to me recently. I didn’t notice it was payday.
I wasn’t waiting for it.
Wasn’t counting down to it.
Wasn’t refreshing my bank app the night before like I used to.
Randomly, I logged into my account just to check an expense and there it was. My paycheck. Already deposited. Already sitting pretty.
And for a second, I froze.
Not because I was worried. But because I hadn’t needed it.
There was money in my account from before payday. Bills were already paid. Groceries were already bought. And I wasn’t stressed.
That moment didn’t just feel like relief. It felt like proof.
I didn’t realize it was payday, and that was the most financially free I’d felt in years.
That kind of progress doesn’t shout. But it means everything.
You’re Thinking Long-Term (Even a Little Bit)
If you’re even thinking about future you. Where you want to be, what you want your money to do, that’s growth.
You might not have a full retirement plan yet. That’s okay.
But maybe you’re putting away $20 for your emergency fund.
Or you’re starting to wonder about investing.
Or you’re asking questions like, “What kind of life do I want five years from now?”
That’s a sign your mindset is shifting. You’re not just reacting. You’re beginning to design your life. That’s big time.
You’re Able to Treat Yourself Without Derailing Your Cash Flow
This one hits different.
When you can enjoy something like your favorite takeout, a weekend trip, or new shoes, and it doesn’t wreck your budget, that’s progress.
Big progress.
Because it means you're not swinging between extremes: total restriction and total chaos.
It means you're building a spending rhythm that includes joy and responsibility.
When you treat yourself now, it’s not “bad behavior.” It’s part of your plan. That’s a sign of someone who’s stepping into a healthier relationship with money.
And maybe even with themselves.
You Have Willpower (And You’re Using It Wisely)
Willpower alone won’t fix your finances. But using it strategically? That’s powerful.
It’s when you see something you want, and you pause instead of pouncing.
It’s when you remind yourself of your goals, and it actually works.
It’s when you say, “Not right now,” and you mean it without feeling deprived.
That’s not weakness. That’s real strength. The kind that compounds over time.
You don’t need to live in financial lockdown forever. But being able to say “no” when it matters? That’s grown-up money power.
It Feels Like You Spent a Lot This Month But You Actually Spent Less
There was a month when I swore I’d gone off the rails.
You ever have that gut feeling like you probably went way overboard?
I was sure of it. I’d had a few family dinners, replaced some clothes, did a Nordstrom Rack run I absolutely wasn’t planning.
I almost didn’t want to check my spending. But I did.
And when I added it all up, I’d spent less than the month before. Not by a lot. But it was less.
That moment shifted something in me.
Because old me would’ve spiraled into guilt. New me? I looked at the numbers, took a breath, and said, “Okay. You’re learning. You’re not just spending. You're aware now.”
Awareness is a milestone. Not a small one either.
You’re Not Avoiding Your Money. Anymore
Progress doesn’t always mean more money. It often means less fear around money.
If you’ve gone from avoiding your cash flow to checking it weekly…
If you used to let unopened bills pile up, and now you face them head-on…
If you no longer feel like your finances are the monster under the bed…
That’s transformation.
Fear thrives in the unknown. But you’re pulling the curtain back now. You’re becoming someone who wants to know. Someone who can handle it.
Your Net Worth Is Moving (Even Slowly)
Sometimes it’s just a few dollars a month.
Sometimes it’s just your debt going down even if savings isn’t going up.
But that’s still motion.
And motion matters.
We think financial progress means doubling our income or suddenly being debt-free. But it can look like:
A lower credit card balance
A $200 bump in savings
One less late fee this month
Celebrate those shifts. They're real. And they build momentum.
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You Talk to Yourself Differently About Money
This one might be the biggest of all.
It’s when you stop calling yourself “bad with money.”
When you catch yourself saying, “I can’t afford that,” and instead ask, “How can I make that work?”
It’s when your inner voice shifts from shame to strategy.
From criticism to curiosity.
You’re starting to see yourself as someone capable. Someone in progress, not hurting. That’s the energy that builds wealth.
Here’s the Bottom Line
Financial progress isn’t always visible. It’s not always measurable in big jumps. But it shows up in the quiet changes:
The way you feel around money
The habits that now feel natural
The confidence that slowly sneaks in
So if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re moving forward…
Look closer. You probably are.
Not because you’re perfect, but because you’re paying attention.
You’re choosing differently.
You’re showing up for your money in new ways.
That’s not just progress. That’s transformation.
And it’s only the beginning.
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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.