Adam Weston | Hallbar Group Capital

Be truthful – how much time do you genuinely dedicate to managing your finances each week?

For the majority, the response lies somewhere between “not enough” and “what is money management?”.

The reality is that most individuals do not experience financial failure due to poor money skills. They encounter difficulties because they neglect to focus on it. They improvise. They utilize what they possess, attempt to save what remains (spoiler: frequently nothing), and then question why they never appear to progress.

However, here is the truth: you do not require hours of intricate financial planning to alter your future. You only need one hour each week. I refer to it as ‘Money Night’ – and it is the most effective habit I have ever taught for enhancing financial outcomes. Not because it involves some sophisticated strategy, but due to its simplicity, repeatability, and proven effectiveness.

What is a Money Night?

A Money Night is a once-a-week, one-hour check-in where you sit down (by yourself or with your partner) and take control of your money.

This is about being intentional – tracking where your money is going, making small tweaks, and most importantly, creating momentum.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. And when you do this consistently, everything starts to shift.

And here’s something that might surprise you – when our clients apply this, on average, they find an extra $500 a month in cash flow that they were unknowingly giving away.

That’s $6000 a year back in their pocket – just by being more efficient. Now imagine taking that money, investing it strategically and watch the compound wealth building effect kick in.

We even ran a cashflow challenge amongst our investors to see who could save the most money.

One investor uncovered $45,000 in cashflow after renegotiating their mortgage and other expenses.

Want to find your hidden money? Here’s how to run your money night in seven simple steps.

Step 1: Schedule it and show up

This is non-negotiable. Pick a time, lock it into your calendar, and treat it like an appointment with your financial future. Mine is a money Monday to kickstart the week.

What day is less than important than the number one key rule to make this work, consistency. No skipping. No excuses. You wouldn’t miss a meeting with your boss – so don’t miss a meeting with your money.

Step 2: Review your money goals (5 minutes)

Start by refocusing on why you’re doing this. Are you saving for a home? Investing for financial freedom? Trying to clear debt? Revisiting your goals weekly keeps you aligned and intentional with your money, instead of just hoping things magically work out. If you don’t have financial goals yet, start now. Even a small one – like saving an extra $50 a week – gives you direction.

Step 3: Check last week’s finances (10 minutes)

This is where you stop wondering where all your money went – because you’ll actually know. Where did your money go last week? Did you stick to your budget? Were there any surprises like subscriptions, impulse buys, or sneaky fees? No shame, no guilt. Just awareness and a plan to adjust where needed.

Step 4: Do a financial audit (15 minutes)

This is where the real savings happen. Take a look at everywhere you interact with money in your life – your bills, subscriptions, grocery spending, insurances, loans – and ask yourself: “In this area of my life, how can I be more efficient and more effective?”.

Then, each week, choose one to three expenses to optimise. This could mean:

• Finding better deals with other providers

• Negotiating lower rates on existing expenses

• Cutting out things you don’t really use

This simple exercise alone could uncover hundreds or even thousands of dollars you’re currently giving away unnecessarily.

Step 5: Pay bills, move money and automate (10 minutes)

Instead of scrambling to pay bills randomly, handle it all in one go.

• Pay outstanding bills

• Transfer money to savings or investments

• Set up automations (direct debits, savings, investing)

Why automation? Because the more you set up on autopilot, the less you have to rely on willpower. And let’s be honest – willpower doesn’t always win against Uber Eats.

Step 6: Plan for the week ahead (10 minutes)

Look at your upcoming week and adjust your finances accordingly. Are there big expenses coming up? Plan for them now. If you overspent last week, adjust for a lower-spend week. If you receive an unexpected windfall, decide where to put it before it disappears. This small habit keeps you in proactive mode, not panic mode.

Step 7: Learn something new (10 minutes)

This is where real transformation happens.

• Listen to a finance podcast

• Read an article or 10 pages of a book on investing

• Have a money conversation with your partner

Money is a language – the more fluent you become, the more confident you’ll be in making smart financial moves.

Step 8: Celebrate your wins

Good habits stick when they’re rewarding – so make Money Night something you actually enjoy. Maybe that means pouring a glass of wine, watching a movie, or treating yourself in some small way. Managing money isn’t about restriction – it’s about creating freedom.

Most people don’t need more money – they need better money habits. By setting aside just one hour a week, you:

• Stay in control of your money

• Stop money stress before it starts

• Build better financial habits

• Find hidden money – often hundreds (or thousands) of dollars per month