Nationwide — As millions of Americans face uncertainty over potential cuts to SNAP food benefits, Jayson Thornton, CFP, founder of Thornton Financial and host of the popular podcast Pocket Watching with JT, is urging families in financial distress to take back control by focusing on the first and most important step toward stability — budgeting. According to Thornton, people struggling with debt and shrinking resources can’t win “the game of money” if they don’t know the score.
“Many people are terrified right now about losing their food assistance,” says Thornton. “But before worrying about debt or what’s next for SNAP, you have to know exactly where your money is going. Financial clarity comes first — not panic.”
Thornton’s method begins with budgeting, the foundation of his “Pocket Watcher Money Rules” system. Instead of jumping straight to debt payoff or saving large sums, he advises families to start by creating their Money Scorecard — a complete list of income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. This process helps identify spending leaks and reveals “Want Money,” the unnecessary or discretionary spending that can be redirected toward emergency savings or essential needs.
“For example, one client discovered she was spending $500 a month on takeout,” says Thornton. “By simply cutting that in half, she freed up $250 immediately. That’s the power of knowing your numbers — it puts you back in control.”
Thornton also recommends using the 50/50 “Pawn” starter budget, a temporary structure that allocates 50% of income to needs (housing, food, transportation, and minimum debt payments) and the other 50% to savings, to quickly build a one-month emergency fund. He refers to this fund as a “Debt Spiral Guardrail”, a safety net that keeps families from falling deeper into debt when emergencies arise.
“With only $150 in savings, many families are one flat tire or medical bill away from financial crisis,” Thornton warns. “Budgeting is your lifeline. It’s not about fear — it’s about taking control of what you can control.”
After completing Step 1, Thornton encourages individuals to build an emergency savings fund of three to six months of essential living expenses, preferably kept in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) that’s separate from everyday spending. This cushion provides long-term protection and peace of mind in times of economic uncertainty.
“Financial wellness isn’t about income level — it’s about habits,” Thornton says. “If you can track every dollar and make intentional decisions, you can stay afloat even in tough times.”
To learn more about “Pocket Watcher 7 Money Rules” and access free budgeting tools, visit PocketWatcher.net
For press inquiries, contact PocketWatcherJT@gmail.com or 314-776-9076.