Baddies & Budgets · QR Guide
The Great Lock-In Guide
You pulled the card. Now take the next little step. This guide keeps the instruction simple, the support private, and the progress real.
How To Use This Guide
Open the week that matches the ticket in your hand.
Do the move today. Or take the clear first step today.
Route your saving, sale, or win where the card tells you to.
Money Day? Swap It. Don’t Shrink It.
A Money Day stays due at the exact dollar amount printed on the card. If that amount is not in your challenge funds today, trade places with one unfinished Flex Move. Complete the Flex Move today. Then complete the original Money Day for its full amount in the traded week.
You are switching dates. You are not lowering the standard. Do not lower the amount, split it, count $0 as complete, or trade one Money Day for another. Card 27 stays locked until every Money Day is closed.
FLEX MOVES: 01 Bills Account · 02 Face the Notice · 03 Credit Check · 05 Cut a Subscription · 06 Phone Bill Call · 07 Unsubscribe · 08 List It · 11 Life Insurance · 14 Post Your Offer · 15 Get the Match · 17 Car Cleanout · 18 Refund Chase · 19 Bills on the Calendar · 20 Future Money Call · 23 Subscription Audit
Keep this guide private. It can hold your real numbers. Never share account numbers, credit reports, addresses, or private balances.
Find Your Ticket
Tap your number, then open the matching guide. No need to look at the whole six months at once.
01 Week 01 · Power Move Bills Account 1 account · Open a checking account just for bills and subscriptions.
Money that is already spoken for deserves its own home.
- Choose a checking account with fees and minimums you understand.
- Open it just for bills and subscriptions.
- Name it Bills Account so its job is clear.
Your bills and subscriptions now have their own account.
KEEP IN MIND: Do not move your payments yet. Card 19 helps you see every bill amount and due date first.
02 Week 02 · Power Move Face the Notice 1 notice · Open one bill or notice you have been avoiding.
The unopened thing gets to run the show until you look at it.
- Pick the notice you keep skipping.
- Open it and read it once.
- Write down the company, balance, and date on the notice.
You can name what the notice is, who it is from, and the balance.
KEEP IN MIND: Opening it is the move. You do not have to solve or pay it today.
03 Week 03 · Power Move Credit Check 3 reports · Check your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Your credit report is your file. not a report card on your worth.
- Go directly to AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Pull Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Circle or note any account you do not recognize or that looks wrong.
All three reports are reviewed and possible errors are written down.
KEEP IN MIND: Add $1 to the challenge for each account you flag. Flagging an item is not the same as proving an error.
Official source: CFPB: free credit reports
♥ Week 04 · Intentional Joy Self Care $25 · Spend $25 on self care. No guilt.
A plan that includes joy is easier to keep.
- Choose one thing that truly supports your care or peace.
- Spend the full $25 on it.
- Enjoy it without turning it into an accidental spending spiral.
You spent the full $25 intentionally and can name why it served you.
KEEP IN MIND: This is planned joy. not a punishment-free-for-all. If your $25 is not in your challenge funds today, trade weeks with a Flex Move; do not shrink the card.
05 Week 05 · Quick Win Cut a Subscription 1 subscription · Cancel one subscription you do not use.
A recurring charge is a decision you made once that keeps spending for you.
- Check your bank app for repeat charges.
- Pick one you have not used this month.
- Cancel it in the app or on the website.
The cancellation is confirmed and the monthly saving has a new job.
KEEP IN MIND: Add the monthly saving to the challenge and screenshot the confirmation.
06 Week 06 · Quick Win Phone Bill Call 1 call · Ask your phone carrier for a cheaper plan or discount.
The call might not produce a discount, but it builds your asking muscle.
- Have your current plan and monthly bill open.
- Call customer service and ask for all lower-cost options.
- If an offer makes sense, confirm the new rate and effective date.
Hi! I’m reviewing my bills. What cheaper plans or discounts can you offer me today?
The call is complete, and any confirmed saving is written down.
KEEP IN MIND: If they say no, ask about autopay, loyalty, or bundle discounts. Add any monthly saving when it shows up.
07 Week 07 · Quick Win Unsubscribe 5 emails · Unsubscribe from five store emails or texts that make you spend.
Not every spending urge is a character flaw. Sometimes it is just a notification with cute fonts.
- Search your inbox for a store that gets you every time.
- Unsubscribe or reply STOP to five retailer texts.
- Turn off notifications for any store you are not ready to unsubscribe from.
Five spending triggers are muted.
KEEP IN MIND: Keep brands you genuinely need; remove the noise you do not.
08 Week 08 · Quick Win List It 1 item · List one old item on Marketplace.
One useful thing you already own can become one intentional money move.
- Pick a clean, useful item you no longer use.
- Take three bright photos and write an honest description.
- Post it with a price and pickup plan you are comfortable with.
One listing is live.
KEEP IN MIND: When it sells, add the full amount to the challenge.
09 Week 09 · Build Move Emergency Fund $25 · Move $25 into an emergency fund.
A small buffer creates one layer between you and the next surprise expense.
- Choose a separate savings spot or clearly labeled envelope.
- Move $25 today.
- Name it “Emergency Fund,” “Do Not Touch,” or whatever makes its job clear.
$25 is separate from everyday spending.
KEEP IN MIND: This is a cushion for unexpected expenses. not a fund for a known purchase.
10 Week 10 · Build Move Extra Principal $25 · Pay $25 extra toward a debt.
Extra money only works the way you intend when the lender applies it correctly.
- Choose an eligible installment debt and log in or call the lender.
- Ask how to direct an extra payment to principal.
- Pay the $25 only after you understand the lender’s instructions.
I want an additional $25 applied to principal only. Can you tell me exactly how to make sure it is applied that way?
The payment is submitted as intended, or you have the lender’s exact same-day instructions.
KEEP IN MIND: Do not assume every debt or payment portal handles extra money the same way. If the lender needs another day to confirm the route, hold the full $25 in a Debt Attack envelope until you can submit it exactly as instructed.
11 Week 11 · Power Move Life Insurance 1 quote · Check if you have life insurance. If not, get a whole-life quote.
You are gathering information for your future. not making a purchase decision under pressure.
- Check work benefits and any old policies first.
- If you do not have coverage, request a whole-life quote.
- Write down the company, coverage amount, monthly cost, and one question you still have.
You know whether you have coverage or have a quote to review.
KEEP IN MIND: A quote is research, not a commitment. Life insurance options vary; read the details and compare what fits your actual needs.
Official source: NAIC: life insurance basics
12 Week 12 · Build Move LinkedIn Glow Up 15 / $15 · Spend 15 minutes updating LinkedIn. When it is live, add $15.
Your career visibility is part of your earning plan.
- Add a clear, recent photo.
- Update your headline and latest role.
- Add three skills you want to be known for.
Your profile is updated and your $15 is added to the challenge.
KEEP IN MIND: Small is fine. You can improve it again later.
13 Week 13 · Build Move Skill Up $30 · Spend $30 on one course, ebook, or tool that helps you earn more.
Investing in a skill is a future-income move when it is specific and used.
- Pick one skill that could raise your pay or grow your side hustle.
- Choose one course, ebook, or tool around $30.
- Block one time this week to start it.
You have one learning asset and a real start time.
KEEP IN MIND: Buy one thing you will use. not five things you will save for later.
14 Week 14 · Quick Win Post Your Offer 1 offer · Post one side-hustle offer, service, or product link.
Your side hustle cannot help you if people do not know what you sell.
- Pick one service, product, or booking slot.
- Post it with a price and a clear way to buy.
- Share it in one more place.
Your offer is outside where someone can buy it.
KEEP IN MIND: Any sale you make gets added to the challenge.
15 Week 15 · Build Move Get the Match 1 match · Ask HR what your 401(k) match is.
Employer match formulas and eligibility rules vary, so getting your own plan details is the power move.
- Ask HR or Benefits what the match is and how much you need to contribute to receive it.
- Find the plan’s match formula and any eligibility or vesting details.
- If it fits your real cash flow, raise your contribution to receive the full match.
What is the 401(k) match, and how much do I need to put in to get all of it?
You know your match formula and your next contribution step.
KEEP IN MIND: You must generally participate and contribute to receive an employer match; the plan documents control the details.
Official source: IRS: matching contributions
16 Week 16 · Build Move Roth Move 1 Roth / $20 · No Roth IRA? Open one. Have one? Add $20.
The point is to make retirement a present-tense habit, not a someday subject.
- No Roth IRA? Open one with a bank or brokerage.
- Have one? Add $20.
- Not sure you qualify? Move the full $20 to a Retirement Ready savings envelope and check the IRS rules before the next Money Day.
You have opened the account and added $20, or the full $20 is assigned to Retirement Ready while you verify eligibility.
KEEP IN MIND: Roth IRA contribution eligibility and limits can depend on income and tax status. Eligibility changes the account route. not the $20 commitment.
Official source: IRS: Roth IRAs
17 Week 17 · Quick Win Car Cleanout 1 car · Clean out and vacuum your car. Add any money you find.
A small reset can make your car feel better and recover money already yours.
- Check the seats, cup holders, trunk, and under the mats.
- Vacuum while you are at it.
- Put every coin and bill you find into the challenge.
Your car is cleaner and every dollar you found is routed.
KEEP IN MIND: Count it after the cleanout, not before.
18 Week 18 · Quick Win Refund Chase 1 refund · Start one return or follow up on one refund.
Money you are owed deserves a follow-up.
- Find one return you meant to make or a refund you are owed.
- Start the return or contact the store.
- Write down the follow-up date.
The return or follow-up is started.
KEEP IN MIND: When the money lands, add it to the challenge.
19 Week 19 · Build Move Bills on the Calendar 1 calendar · Write every bill amount and due date on a calendar you see often.
Your bills stop sneaking up when you can see the full month.
- Choose a digital or physical calendar you check often.
- Write every bill amount and due date on it.
- Put it somewhere you will see it often.
Every bill amount and due date is visible on your calendar.
KEEP IN MIND: Use the calendar you actually look at. Your phone, planner, fridge, or wall all count.
20 Week 20 · Power Move Future Money Call 1 call · Call a bank or credit union about your future plans.
A calm information call is different from applying for credit. You deserve to know what your future could require.
- Call a bank, credit union, or lender for a future-finance conversation.
- Say you are not applying today and ask them not to check your credit.
- Ask what you would need to reach your goal in six to twelve months.
I’m not applying today. Please do not check my credit. What would I need to reach my goal in 6 to 12 months?
You have one next step written down.
KEEP IN MIND: Applying for credit can involve a hard inquiry. Asking about rates alone should not require a credit pull.
Official source: CFPB: lender credit checks
21 Week 21 · Quick Win No Spend Day $20 · Have a no-spend day. Move $20 to the challenge tonight.
This is proof that you can pause on purpose. not proof that you never deserve a treat.
- Choose a day and set up food, transport, and anything truly necessary ahead of time.
- Spend nothing beyond true needs that day.
- Move $20 to the challenge tonight.
The day is complete and $20 is routed.
KEEP IN MIND: A true emergency or essential need does not mean you failed. Adjust and try again.
22 Week 22 · Quick Win Pantry Night 1 pantry night · Make dinner with what you already have. Add $15.
Using what is already in your kitchen is a small way to make the groceries work harder.
- Check your pantry, freezer, and fridge.
- Make dinner from what you already have.
- Add $15 to the challenge.
Dinner is handled and $15 is routed.
KEEP IN MIND: Make it cute if you want. The point is not to suffer through sad food.
23 Week 23 · Power Move Subscription Audit All subscriptions · Review all your subscriptions. Cancel or downgrade one more.
The second audit is where you catch the charges that hid during the first one.
- List every recurring charge from the last two months.
- Cancel or downgrade one more.
- Write down the monthly saving.
Your recurring-charge list is complete and one more charge is handled.
KEEP IN MIND: Add the full monthly saving to the challenge.
24 Week 24 · Build Move Auto Invest $10 a month · Set up a $10 monthly transfer into your Roth IRA.
Consistency becomes easier when the next deposit does not depend on a perfect month.
- Log in to your Roth IRA.
- Set up a $10 automatic transfer every month.
- If the account is not ready or you are not eligible, set a $10 monthly transfer to Retirement Ready savings and switch the destination when the account route is confirmed.
A $10 monthly transfer is scheduled, either to the Roth IRA or Retirement Ready, and you know the investment setting you chose when applicable.
KEEP IN MIND: A contribution and an investment selection are separate steps. Account eligibility changes the destination. not the $10 monthly commitment.
Official source: IRS: Roth IRAs
♥ Week 25 · Intentional Joy Give Back $10 · Give $10 to a cause you care about.
Generosity can still have a place in a money life that is becoming more intentional.
- Choose a cause you genuinely care about.
- Give $10 through a secure, verified organization or person you trust.
- Save your confirmation if you want to track it.
You gave $10 on purpose.
KEEP IN MIND: Giving is not about proving anything. Keep it within the card amount.
26 Week 26 · Build Move Future You Deposit $50 · Put $50 toward future you: savings, debt, or investing.
This is a choose-your-own next step: one meaningful deposit into the future you are building.
- Pick savings, debt, or investing.
- Move $50 to that destination today.
- Write down why that destination is the right job for this $50.
$50 has a clear future-you job.
KEEP IN MIND: Choose one. You do not have to split it to make it count. If an investment account is not ready, the full $50 goes to savings until it is. your money still gets its job today.
♥ Card 27 · Finale You Did It $25 · After Cards 1 to 26, spend $25 on self care.
The finish deserves a real celebration. You came back to your money life, one move at a time.
- Check your tracker and notice every move you completed.
- Choose one self-care celebration for the full $25.
- Take a safe photo or video of your win if you want to share it.
You celebrated the work with the full $25 and recognized the person who followed through.
KEEP IN MIND: Share the win. not your private details. Never show account numbers, credit reports, or your address. Card 27 stays open until every prior Money Day and this full $25 celebration are complete.
Film yourself completing any Great Lock-In move. Post your safe win and tag @baddiesnbudgets to claim the planned $5 shop gift card under the promotion terms. Share the win. Do not share your private details.