Frich Reveals: Quieting Your Inner Money Critic

We all have that voice in our head that loves to chime in with a "you should be further along," or "why aren't you saving more?" The inner money critic is loud. But this week, we're turning down the volume.

Because when you actually take a step back and look at what you've done? There's a good chance you're doing a lot better than you think. Let's dive into what Frichies had to say.

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How does your reality compare to what your younger self expected?

Let's start with some perspective. When we asked how your current financial life stacks up against what you once imagined, 40% of you said you're on your way to making your younger self proud. Another 35% said you're doing even better than you expected.

And even though only about a quarter said they've hit their original goals, that doesn't mean anyone's behind. Our younger selves didn't know what rent, taxes, or $9 iced lattes were really about. So if your reality looks different than you pictured it, you're not off track, you're adapting. And we're here to help!

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What money habit are you most proud of?

Let's flip the script. Instead of focusing on what's missing, we asked what you are proud of. We gave Frichies a few options to choose from, and the top answers were being disciplined with money, making extra income, and staying generous. Others said they're proud of being frugal or knowing how to negotiate, two habits that quietly save way more than they get credit for. Not all heroes wear capes. Some just always ask for a better deal. 😉

No one picked "being perfect" because, well, that wasn't on the list. And that's the point. Progress doesn't look like perfection. It looks like consistency, effort, and knowing what works for you. Whether that means saying no to impulse buys or just remembering to transfer $20 to savings before the weekend hits, it still counts.

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What's your most recent money win?

Frichies have been busy making moves. When we asked about your latest money win, answers were all over the board in the best way. 23% said they reworked their budget and actually stuck to it, the most popular answer by far. 21% celebrated paying off a loan, 20% reached a savings goal, 19% said they started investing, and 16% got a raise (we love that for you).

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The takeaway? Progress doesn't always look like a massive milestone. So if you've been downplaying your progress because it didn't come with a confetti cannon, consider this your sign that it still counts. The numbers this week say it all: you're building habits, hitting goals, and making progress, even if it doesn't always feel obvious. So yes, keep going. But don't skip over the progress that's already happening.

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Need help keeping track of it all? Try using PocketSmith to map out your full financial picture, or Era if you want something with more guidance. Because once you see the progress, it gets a lot easier to believe in it.