21 January 2025 | 8 MIN read

You’re losing 70 days a year to your phone - here’s how to take that time back and grow your money

A young man standing and scrolling through his cell phone.

Did you know the average person spends 4 hours and 37 minutes on their phone DAILY? That adds up to 70 days a year lost to scrolling TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

What if you could reclaim just a fraction of that time to focus on your financial goals? Robin Sharma nailed it when he said, “Small daily actions lead to stunning results.”

This year, Momentum Velocity Club is here to help you flip those 70 lost days into money-growing moves. Let’s unpack how you can make your phone work for you in 2025.

Your phone is already your go-to tool for everything—why not make it your personal finance assistant, too?

How to reclaim your time:

  • Replace a few minutes of food delivery or shopping App browsing with opening your budgeting app. Before ordering, check if you’ve hit your budget for the month. Spent too much? Move on. Under-spent? Great, you get to order delivery!
  • Set up notifications for your financial goals. A simple reminder to “Transfer R200 to the Dream Apartment Fund” can keep you on track.

Example: Swapping one takeaway order weekly for a home-cooked meal saves roughly R400 monthly. That’s R4 800 a year to put toward your savings or investments.

A young couple stands in the kitchen, scrolling on a cell phone together. In front of them, a bowl of pasta rests on the kitchen counter.

Why it works: By using real-time insights from your phone, making smarter financial decisions becomes a habit - not a chore.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling, use idle moments to level up your money skills

How to start:

Use Apps like Apple Music or Spotify to listen to podcasts while you’re on the move.

Example: Listening to Stripped Money Conversations or Easy Does It while stuck in traffic turns downtime into growth time - and plants the seeds for smarter money decisions.

A young man with earphones listening to a financial podcast on his cell phone.


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Automation is your best friend for staying consistent with money goals

How to do it:

  • Automate a portion of your income into a goal-specific account. Label it something inspiring, like “Bali Trip 2026” or “Fun Fund.”
  • Use your phone’s calendar to set reminders for recurring tasks like account payments or quarterly budget reviews.

Example: Saving R500 weekly through automation adds up to over R26 000 by year-end. You don’t even need to think about it - it just works.

Two young women meditating and doing yoga on the beach.


Your phone’s calendar isn’t just for meetings; use it to plan regular money check-ins and set deadlines for your financial milestones

How to maximise it:

  • Block out 30 minutes each Sunday for a money review. During this time, adjust your budget, track expenses, and plan for the week ahead. Think of it as ‘self-care’ for your money.
  • Schedule quarterly reminders to revisit your long-term goals, ensuring you stay on track. If you don’t schedule this like an important work meeting, it will just not happen. So do it now!

Example: If you consistently check your progress monthly, you’ll identify improvement areas and make real-time adjustments.

A young man setting aside time on his cell phone calendar for a money review.

Instead of endlessly liking posts or watching TikToks, invest that energy into a side hustle - your phone is the gateway to extra income

How to start:

  • Browse freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to monetise writing, design, or consulting skills.
  • Use TikTok or Instagram to showcase your expertise and attract clients—anything from baking to life coaching.

Example: Dedicating just 1 hour daily to side hustling could earn you an extra R5 000 monthly. That’s R60 000 a year to boost your savings or pay off debt. The trick is to identify your strengths and what you enjoy, and then JUST START!

A young woman building her side hustle by filming a social media video.

Reclaiming your time isn’t just about cutting back on screen time - it’s about using that time intentionally. Momentum Velocity Club is here to guide you in turning those 70 lost days into wealth-building opportunities.

Your phone can be your biggest financial ally, from automating savings to learning during idle moments. The question is: what will you do differently in 2025?

Robin Sharma said it best: “It’s not what you do once a year, but what you do daily that will change your life.” Let’s make this the year your time and money work for you - not against you.

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