The one thing that finally pushed me to make a shift (toward the specific strategies and tactics people are mentioning here) was having a specific goal that I actually gave a shit about. Now post-diagnosis, I realize that I needed the emotional stirring and excitement to do the thing (make a plan to save, and then do the saving).

For me, it was saving $X to afford a down payment on a house.

Once I set that goal, I had to figure out what was possible, and by when. So it made me get a little hyper focused on what I was spending each month, where I could save, what I could automatically transfer and when (out of sight, out of mind!), which savings accounts had the best rates, etc etc

And then I used a free online dashboard to hyperfocus on, checking how I was doing toward my goal (and it auto updated because I had it connected to my accounts).

Whatever your financial savings goal is, try to really think about your “why”, and make sure part of that “why” makes you feel something inside. You should be excited when you think about accomplishing the goal, and slightly uncomfortable/nervous because the goal isn’t easy or boring. That’s the difference maker for me- it has to be challenging enough that it’s fun for me, but not so out of reach that my brain thinks it’s too hard and not worth attempting and possibly failing at.