Where Does All the Money Go? 

You get paid. You pay bills. You try to save. You maybe give a bit. And then you check your bank balance and wonder:
“Where did all the money go?” 

If that question hits a little too close to home, you’re not alone. Most people – especially busy professionals – don’t feel in control of their money, even if they’re earning well. And often, it’s not because of bad decisions. It’s because there’s no system showing where money is actually going each month… and no plan behind how it should be used. 

At Wealthstack, we help people answer this question and create a financial rhythm that brings clarity, growth, and peace of mind. 

Let’s start with a truth that seems simple but changes everything: 

There Are Only Five Places Your Money Can Go 

Every cent that comes into your account each month will go to one of five categories.  

• Live – What you spend to meet your lifestyle needs. 

• Give – What you give away – whether to church, charities, or causes you care about. 

• Owe: Debt – Repayments on loans, credit cards, or other personal debt. 

• Owe: Taxes – What you owe to the government (often paid before you even see the money). 

• Grow – Money you’re saving or investing for the future: emergency funds, retirement, insurance, etc. 

That’s it. Just five.
But how you prioritize them changes everything… 

Most People Do This Backwards 

Here’s the default approach for most of us: 

After-tax salary → Pay off debts → Spend → Try to save/invest → Maybe give something small 

It’s not necessarily “wrong.” But it’s reactionary. You’re doing what feels urgent, rather than what sets you up for freedom. 

This is how money disappears every month. Not because you’re spending wildly – but because your money is flowing in the wrong order. 

The Right Order Brings Peace of Mind 

What happens when you flip the order? 

Salary → Pay taxes → Give → Save and invest (Grow) → Spend what’s left 

That’s a radical shift. It requires intention. It forces you to look at giving and growing not as “optional extras,” but as core financial commitments. 

And ironically, it often leads to more margin, not less. Because when you’re giving and growing first, you build discipline, avoid lifestyle creep, and live on purpose – not on autopilot. 

The Power of Visibility 

Of course, you can’t change the order if you don’t know what’s currently happening. Most people can’t answer these critical questions, can you? 

• How much am I spending each month in each category? 

• Am I living within my means, or just floating month to month? 

• Do I even know how much is going to debt, or to growth? 

That’s where Wealthstack comes in. 

Our personalized Dashboard gives you a clear view of how your money is being use across all accounts, categories, and goals. No more guesswork. No more blurry budgets. 

It’s like putting your financial life on a single screen, so you can make decisions with confidence instead of confusion. 

How We Help You Shift Gears 

Our Service Packages go beyond giving you a Dashboard – it pairs you with experts who help you: 

• Build a practical, purpose-driven spending plan 

• Reorder your financial priorities in line with your values 

• Identify how much you can give and grow – without sacrificing what you need 

• Set up your accounts and systems so the new rhythm is automated and sustainable 

And because our team understands South African products, cross-border needs, and Canadian tax realities, we help immigrants to Canada avoid costly mistakes and get set up properly from the start. 

A Note About “Grow” 

Many people want to invest. But “Grow” isn’t just about putting money in the market. 

It’s about: 

• Building margin (emergency funds, short-term buffers) 

• Protecting your future (insurance, retirement planning) 

• Planning long-term (education savings, independence goals) 

It’s one of the smallest slices for most people – but it’s the one that leads to long-term freedom. (Watch this space for more articles to help you tackle these three elements) 

So… Where Does Your Money Go? 

It’s time to find out. 

Because once you can see your money clearly, you can use it wisely. 

You don’t have to live in the cycle of income in → money gone → mild panic → repeat.
You can create a rhythm that includes margin, generosity, long-term vision…and peace.