How I’m Learning to Manage Time Like I Manage Money

by Henrik Bacilieri

Since I started learning about money, I’ve noticed something surprising:

The way I used to waste money… is the same way I used to waste time.

Seriously. I’d burn through hours the same way I burned through paychecks—without purpose, without tracking, and without thinking about the long-term cost.

But now that I’ve started to budget, save, and be more intentional with my money, I’ve started to look at time in the same way.

And it’s made me realize something:

Time is the ultimate currency.

Money, you can get back.
Time? Never.

So lately I’ve been experimenting with budgeting my time the same way I budget my cash.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

1. Time Audit

For one week, I tracked how I spent every hour of the day.
It felt obsessive—but it was eye-opening.

I found out:

  • I spent over 12 hours that week scrolling aimlessly on my phone.

  • I watched Netflix more than I worked on my goals.

  • I told myself I was “too busy,” but I wasn’t really.

Just like I didn’t know where my money was going before I started budgeting, I had no idea how I was spending my time until I saw it on paper.

2. Blocking Time Like a Budget

Now, I treat my daily calendar like a spending plan:

  • Morning (6–9am): reading, journaling, and finance learning.

  • Daytime: work.

  • Evenings (7–9pm): blog writing, research, reflection.

  • 1 hour of personal time to decompress.

It’s not perfect. I miss blocks sometimes. Life gets in the way. But having a plan has been a game changer.

Just like with money—if I don’t tell time where to go, it disappears.

3. Cutting “Time Expenses”

I’ve started asking:

“Is this worth the time cost?”

Instead of “Can I afford this?” I ask “Can I afford to give my life energy to this?”

Some things I’ve cut down on:

  • Constantly checking social media

  • Saying “yes” to every social plan

  • Getting lost in entertainment instead of education

I still enjoy things—I’m not a robot. But I’m more mindful. And that’s the key.

Right now, I’m still learning. I don’t have perfect routines. I don’t wake up at 5am and conquer the world. But I’m better than I was 30 days ago.

Managing my time like I manage my money has helped me feel more in control—and more aligned with the future I’m trying to build.

Financial freedom requires both:
Smart money. Smart use of time.

I’m building both, one block at a time.

Henrik Bacilieri

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