There’s something about the clear blue skies and warmer weather that makes spring feel like a new beginning. That’s why spring cleaning is a thing, after all. But after a long, dreary and (probably) indulgent winter, why should our refresh be limited to home organizing? What if we took the opportunity to reset or rethink our approach to our money and finances?

Enter Vivian Tu—a.k.a. Your Rich BFF on both TikTok and Instagram, who’s also the in-house financial wellness expert for interest-free installment-payment service Afterpay. Tu started her career as a Wall Street trader. But the secret? She didn’t really know much about money. When she was 24, pivoted to tech, and soon was faced with a barrage of finance-related questions from her friends and new co-workers that she didn’t actually know how to answer. She didn’t hide from their queries, though, instead joking that she’d make a social media account where they can direct all their problems. Then, early on in the pandemic, that joke became reality, and she did the work and began making content offering financial tips to anyone who came across her account. Initially, Tu thought it would just be her friends watching her content, but the Internet had other plans and now she has over 1 million followers on TikTok and nearly 300,000 on IG who turn to her to help navigate the complicated world of money.

So, we can’t imagine anyone better to help us take stock of our financial know-how heading into a new season. First thing’s first? “Be calm and take the time to forgive yourself for winter you,” she says. “This is spring you now.”

Read on for more of Tu’s must-do money tips.

Start in your inbox 

Looking for a really simple way to rehaul your approach to spending? There’s a small step everyone can take: Unsubscribe from all the brand emails cluttering up your inbox. “If you wake up every morning and have 20 emails, do you take five minutes to unsubscribe from them or just take a minute to delete them all and then do the same thing again tomorrow?” Tu asks. Going through a mass email purge is two-fold: you get the peace-of-mind of a clean(er) inbox, plus you can say goodbye to temptation from last-minute sales you never planned on shopping in the first place.

Be mindful with your spending

When Tu is debating a purchase, she likes to fall back on a value-based spending model. So, for example, if she wants to pick up a $9 bubble tea after lunch, or a beautiful $200 dress, she asks herself: “How many hours do I have to sit at my job to pay for it?” “Doing this has really helped me figure out what I value and what I can justify—it’s like I’m trading time instead of just money,” she says. To be clear, the goal isn’t to talk yourself out of buying that boba; instead, it’s an exercise that is meant to help you get thinking about what exactly you consider “worth it” to spend money on. “Knowing what you actually care about is going to be so important in being mindful with your own money,” Tu adds.

Start (or stick to) these habits 

Arguably the most important finance-related habit you can get into? Setting money aside for an emergency. Tu recommends leaving three to six months worth of living expenses untouched so that if, say, your car breaks down or you’ve got a leaky pipe, you hopefully won’t have to get overly stressed about the cost of the repairs.

And, as much as it sucks, you’ve got to think about debt—or, to be more specific, think about how to strategically pay it down. There’s no doubt that it’s a daunting, overwhelming task, which is why making plans will help, says Tu. She suggests starting with your highest-interest debts—on your credit card, for instance—so it doesn’t continue to compound at super fast rates.

Advocate for yourself 

“My favourite line is that you can only save as much as you earn, but you can always earn more money,” says Tu. This is an oft-over looked aspect of managing our finances, but if you’re in the position to do so, you can—and should—be advocating for yourself. Tu recommends asking for a raise every year, “not just to keep up with inflation, but to compensate you for your skills, time and effort.” Do your research ahead of time, and go into the meeting with a specific number in mind. To help your case, keep a “brag book”—a collection of triumphs and compliments you’ve achieved and received that you can use to support your ask. And finally, Tu urges you to remember that it’s a negotiation, so add 20 percent to the number you actually want to leave a little wiggle room. “You’ve got to be able to shoot for the moon and land among the stars—you don’t want to sell yourself short.”

Read more:
5 Steps to Spring Clean Your Wardrobe
Have More Time Than Money?
How To Master Your Finances