Do you often find yourself wondering where all your money went at the end of the month? You're not alone - many people struggle with mindless or impulsive spending that can derail their financial goals. However, a few simple strategies can help you regain control over your finances.

We spoke to personal finance experts to get their top tips for mastering your spending habits:

1. Track Every Expense

The first step is understanding where your money is actually going," says Rachel Jones, a Certified Financial Planner. "Track each expense, no matter how small, for at least a month using an app or writing it down. Identify areas where you can cut back.

2. Set a Realistic Budget

Create a monthly budget that allocates spending caps for categories like dining out, entertainment etc. But make it realistic for your lifestyle. Overly restrictive budgets are hard to stick to.

3. Use Cash for Problematic Categories

If you struggle with overspending on clothes or meals out, try withdrawing a set amount of cash for those categories each month," recommends Tania Brown, founder of SaverLife.org. "Once that cash is gone, you're done spending for the month. It's harder to overspend with cash.

4. Wait 24-48 Hours

Ramit Sethi of IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com suggests, "Embrace the 24-48 hour rule. Whenever you're about to make a non-essential purchase over $100 or more, force yourself to wait a day or two before buying. You'll often lose the urge after careful consideration.

5. Automate Savings

One of my favorite tips is to automate your savings by transferring money out of your checking into savings or investments on pay day," says Erin Lowry of BrokeMillennialBlog.com. "That way you pay yourself first before spending what's left over.

While developing new money habits takes effort, following these expert-approved tips can yield significant rewards. You'll gain awareness over frivolous spending while simultaneously optimizing your income for long-term goals like saving or investing. Start taking control of your finances today!