Agents should use simple budgeting tools like GCI-to-net worksheets to track commissions, splits, fees, and taxes regularly. Allocating budget strictly to high-ROI lead sources and minimizing spend on low-return marketing prevents financial loss. Tracking cost per closing weekly on dashboards helps identify spending leaks. Lean budgets paired with strategic investments in referral building and content creation software reduce unnecessary expenses and maintain profitability even with minimal monthly closings.