Last month I sent an email about the small, frequent, forgettable purchases that quietly drain your money.

I concluded that the best way to stop the leak was awareness.

But since then, I realized I don’t actually agree with myself.

Awareness is valuable, but knowing where your money went after you spent it isn’t the same as stopping the leak in the first place.

The real problem isn’t that spending is invisible.

It’s that we don’t decide before we buy whether a purchase aligns with what we actually want.

Tracking spending is like looking in the rearview mirror.

Intentionality is driving with a clear destination in mind.

So here’s my new invitation.

Instead of focusing on where your money went, focus on where it’s going.

Before you buy something—whether it’s a quick Amazon order or a coffee on the way to work—pause and ask yourself:

Does this align with what I actually want?

Not what feels convenient. Not what sounds good in the moment. What actually matters to you?

Your money isn’t disappearing. It’s just following your decisions.

Are your decisions leading you somewhere you want to go?

Hit reply and let me know—what’s one thing you’d gladly spend more on because it aligns with your highest values?

—Tyler

PS: These are a few of my favorite things (recently)

🎵 - I asked A.I. to write a song about my personal finance philosophy based on everything it knows about it from my blog, newsletter, and coaching experiences. As you can tell, I'm busy not having a life... 🤓

📚 - I read Siddhartha this weekend on the advice of a friend who recommended, "Get a physical copy and go read it in the wilderness." I followed exactly 50% of that advice and enjoyed the feeling of paper between my fingers from the comfort of my couch. It was a delightful single-sitting read that left me with a pleasant existential buzz. Looking forward to warmer weather and some epic hammock-based reading sessions this summer.

🍿 - After a much needed break, I resumed my journey through the A.F.I.'s list of the 100 greatest American films with my first ever viewing of Cabaret. I really need someone who loves this film to convince me. I did appreciate the message and related decently with one of the main characters, but the music just wasn't for me. Ok, but the opening and closing shots, though...yeah it definitely had its moments.