How Blake Saved a Fortune Without Giving Up Tacos or Vacations

Do you think saving money means saying goodbye to the things you love? You’re not alone. Most people believe that being “good with money” means cutting back on fun, skipping dinners out, and never taking a vacation.

But what if I told you there’s another way?

In a recent episode of the Opposites Unite Podcast, we sat down with our friend Blake—a regular guy who’s managed to save a ton of money without sacrificing the things he enjoys. We’re talking tacos 🌮, vacations ✈️, happy hours 🍹—all the good stuff.

So how did he do it?

This blog post breaks down Blake’s best money-saving strategies, budgeting tips, and the mindset that helped him build financial security without missing out on life. Whether you're trying to pay off debt, save for a home, or just want more peace of mind with your finances, this post is for you.

Why Blake’s Story Matters

Many people struggle with saving money because it feels like they have to give up too much. But Blake’s story shows that financial success is more about being intentional than being extreme. He didn’t go full minimalist. He didn’t move back in with his parents. He didn’t cut out every latte or cancel every trip.

Instead, Blake made a few simple changes that helped him save big while still enjoying life.

Here’s how he did it—and how you can, too.

1. Spend on What You Love, Cut What You Don’t

Blake’s first money tip? Know what brings you joy—and spend your money there.

For him, that meant tacos, occasional travel, and going out with friends. What he didn’t care about were things like name-brand clothes, fancy car upgrades, or overpriced subscriptions.

So instead of cutting everything, he focused on cutting the stuff that didn’t matter to him. That one mindset shift helped him spend less without feeling deprived.

✅ Money-saving hack: Make a list of your top 3 joys (like travel or weekend takeout). Then look at your bank statement and cut spending on everything else that doesn’t light you up.

2. Use a “Rich Mindset,” Not a Scarcity Mindset

One thing that really stood out about Blake was his mindset.

Instead of thinking, “I can’t afford that,” he started asking, “How can I afford that in a smart way?”

That small shift made him feel empowered, not restricted.

He didn’t feel like he was losing out on life—he felt like he was in control of his money, and that gave him confidence. This “rich mindset” helped him stay motivated and stick to his goals.

💡 Try this: Next time you want something that’s not in the budget, think about how you could plan for it. Can you earn extra points? Buy during a sale? Plan ahead?

3. Automate Your Savings

Let’s be honest—saving money is hard if you have to remember to do it every month. That’s why Blake automated his savings.

He set up automatic transfers to his savings account the same day he got paid. That way, the money was already gone before he had the chance to spend it.

It didn’t feel like a big loss because he never saw it in his checking account to begin with.

🧠 Smart tip: Set up a direct deposit or automatic transfer of even $50 per paycheck. Over time, it builds up—and you won’t even miss it.

4. Budgeting Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Some people hear the word budget and instantly feel stressed. But Blake made it easy.

He used a simple budgeting system where he split his income into three main categories:

• Needs (like rent and groceries)

• Wants (like tacos and travel)

• Savings

He didn’t track every dollar. Instead, he gave every dollar a job and focused on staying within those broad categories.

This helped him spend less without overthinking it.

📊 Try this budgeting tip: Use the 50/30/20 rule. That’s 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or debt. Simple and effective.

5. Travel Smarter With Points and Planning

Blake loves to travel—but he doesn’t love paying full price.

Instead, he learned how to use credit card points and rewards programs to book flights and hotels for free (or close to it). He also looked for off-season deals, used apps to compare prices, and booked in advance to get the best rates.

✈️ Travel on a budget tip: Use a travel credit card that earns points, and always pay it off each month. Sign up for deal alerts from Google Flights or Hopper to find cheap fares.

By planning ahead and using smart tools, Blake was able to take amazing trips without blowing his budget.

6. Little Choices Add Up

Blake didn’t save a fortune overnight. It happened slowly—one choice at a time.

Sometimes he’d cook at home instead of dining out. Sometimes he’d cancel a subscription he forgot he had. Other times he’d shop secondhand or wait for a sale.

These choices didn’t feel big on their own, but over time, they added up to thousands of dollars saved.

📉 Start here: Look at your last 3 months of expenses. Where could you cut just $100/month? That’s $1,200 saved in a year!

7. It’s Not About Being Cheap—It’s About Being Intentional

The biggest lesson from this episode?

Saving money doesn’t mean being cheap. It means being intentional.

Blake didn’t stop living. He just started spending with purpose.

And that’s the secret—you don’t need to sacrifice joy to build wealth. You just need to decide what matters most, and let go of the rest.

Final Thoughts: You Can Do This, Too

You don’t need to give up tacos, vacations, or fun with friends to be financially smart.

Just like Blake, you can:

• Spend on what brings you joy

• Cut what doesn’t

• Automate your savings

• Use points to travel for less

• Embrace a mindset of abundance

Saving money doesn’t have to feel hard. With the right tools and the right mindset, you can start building wealth without giving up your lifestyle.

🎧 Want to Hear the Full Story?

Check out the full episode of Opposites Unite: “How Blake Saved a Fortune (Without Skipping Tacos or Vacations)” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29ZLt3tPoJo

If you loved these tips, don’t forget to:✅ Subscribe to the podcast✅ Leave a review✅ Share this post with a friend who wants to save without sacrifice