AWS
AWS FinOps Dashboard CLI Tool
A new helpful tool AWS FinOps Dashboard shows you how much money you're spending on AWS services right from your computer terminal.
It shows your AWS costs for the current and previous months. Breaks down costs by different AWS services and lets you check your spending against your budget.
It shows information about your EC2 instances (virtual computers in AWS). You can save all this information in simple files like CSV or JSON format.
The dashboard is built using Python and makes everything look nice in your terminal. To use it, you need:
Python 3.8 or newer
AWS CLI set up on your computer
The right AWS permissions to view costs and resources
You can install it in different ways: using pipx, pip, uv or source code
The tool is free to use under the MIT license, though you might pay small AWS fees for checking your cost information.
Together with CloudZero
New Free Benchmarking Tool: See How Your Cloud Costs Stack Up
How does your cloud spending compares to others?
Now you can find out with CloudZero’s new interactive benchmarking tool — no login required.
Get a clear view of how your cloud efficiency stacks up against industry peers in just a few clicks. No more guessing. See where you stand and take control of your cloud costs.
COST OPTIMIZATION
Cutting AWS Costs from $26K to <$1K: Terraform Solution
A company went from spending $26,000 per year to less than $1,000 by making some clever changes.
The problem they faced was expensive and complex. They were using a VPN system that cost too much money, made it hard for developers to do their work and was difficult to manage across many different environments
Their solution was simple but effective:
They removed the old VPN system. Then set up small computer servers to handle connections. After that, they created an easy way for developers to connect to databases and used special pricing options from Amazon Web Services to keep costs low.
The results were impressive:
Saved more than $25,000 per year
Made it easier for developers to work
Improved security
Created a system that's simple to expand
FINOPS EVENTS
Cloud Usage Optimization & Governance Summit
Optimize your costs with real, scalable strategies to impact of engineering decisions in cloud environments.
May 7th, 2025
11:00 AM [EST] / 5:00 PM [Europe/Madrid Time]
Join the Cloud Usage Optimization & Governance Summit, an online event key for FinOps, Engineers and Cloud Management professionals who want to go beyond the simple cost reduction.
Learn about:
How to implement Policies and Governance at scale to last in time
Case studies and Best practices to optimize your cloud workloads and reduce waste
Effective strategies to align engineers and finance to common targets.
SNOWFLAKE
Snowflake Cost Optimization Essentials
Let's look at how companies can cut Snowflake costs while keeping good performance.
Here are key ways to reduce storage costs:
Be selective with Time Travel: Only use this feature for important data that needs backup. Turn it off for test data and temporary files.
Use simpler storage for test environments: Choose "transient" storage type for development and testing. This removes extra backup features you don't need.
Watch file sizes: Aim for files between 100-250 MB when adding data. This helps avoid extra fees from processing too many small files.
For computing costs, try these tips:
Pick the right size
Avoid memory overflow: When data processing needs more memory than available, it slows down. Either use a bigger computer or improve your data queries.
Set auto-shutdown
Group similar tasks: combine similar work to share resources better.
📺️ PODCAST
How to Make Engineers apply FinOps
Another expert sharing his insights on FinOps Weekly Podcast!
How does engineering play a role in the world of FinOps? We discuss with Jeremy Chaplin about team collaboration, cost-reduction incentives, and the importance of a common language.
🎖️ MENTION OF HONOUR
AWS on a Budget: Cloud Cost Planning for SMBs
AWS costs can add up fast if you don't plan well. Let's look at how to keep your cloud spending in check through a real example of helping a surf shop owner move her store online.
AWS Pricing Calculator helps you estimate costs before spending any money. Here's how to use it:
Make groups to organize different parts of your setup
Add the services you need
Pick how you want to pay
Share your estimates with others
AWS Budgets watches your spending and warns you before you go over your limits. It's like having a friendly accountant keeping an eye on things.
The surf shop owner learned she could save money by using fewer resources at night when fewer customers visit her site. By planning ahead and using these tools, she felt more confident about moving to the cloud.
FINOPS
[NEW] FinOps Weekly Extra
I’ve decided to have a section with additional items and removing one of the main stories. Lots of content happening in the industry:
Automate AWS Billing Views with CLI for Scalability: You can set it up using simple computer commands (AWS CLI) instead of clicking through screens
Technology Business Management (TBM) is growing with a new community called Open GreenOps. This update brings together important areas of technology management in one place.
This article by Oliver Assad explains how to save money on cloud storage costs. It's part 3 of a series about making cloud services work better.
Learning FOCUS: Purchases - Michael explains how purchases work in the FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification (FOCUS) system.
Join the FinOps Weekly Community
We just launched a community and we are looking forward to have you with us!
An open space for making FinOps for Everyone a reality
Announcements
Providers
Updated Carbon Methodology for the AWS Customer Carbon Footprint Tool
Vendors
Vantage MCP Server Release: Use AI to Analyze Your Cost and Usage Data
DoIt launched CloudFlow, No-code Automation Tool
🏆 Quick Wins Resources
Evergreen FinOps Resources to apply Today!
Professional Spotlight
Polite Mukombo
FinOps Airlines
Always supporting FinOps Weekly Content, Polite was of great help getting content out of Google Next. His contributions on LinkedIn are something to be watching. Qatar Airways is a lot better in FinOps thanks to him!
That’s all for this week. See you next Sunday!
Before You Go …
Whenever You Are Ready, Here’s How We Can Collaborate
Master FinOps with us: Learn about our Mastering FinOps Courses, taught by FinOps Professionals like the author Alfonso San Miguel.
Sponsor this newsletter: Promote your company in this newsletter and reach the FinOps audience that wants to maximize business value and reduce costs.
Collaborate with SmartClouds: Our brand expands to more than just newsletters. Podcasts, Posts, Webinars, Events, and any collaboration related to FinOps are available.
Rate Today's NewsletterFeedback = Better Newsletter for You |
4 Reasons The Dollar Could Collapse
If you’ve noticed that your dollars don’t seem to go as far as they used to, you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are in the same boat.
The recent inflation rate, the highest in over 40 years, was a wake up call that made many people realize that the financial stability they had taken for granted for decades no longer exists.
The US government has been tempted to use its reserve currency status to its financial advantage. This has resulted in massive devaluation of the dollar.
A way to help protect your dollars is to diversify your money with assets that don’t depend upon the strength and health of the dollar for their value. Precious metals like gold and silver, for instance, are in demand around the world 24/7 and aren’t dependent upon the value of the dollar.
To find out reasons why experts are predicting the collapse of the dollar, request your free digital copy of the 4 Reasons the Dollar Could Crash eBook.
*Offer valid on qualified orders of Goldco premium products only. Receive up to 10% in free silver based on purchase amount; cannot be combined with other offers. Additional terms apply—see your customer agreement or contact your representative for details.
If you have any feedback about today’s edition, please reply to this email. And if you know someone who’ll enjoy this newsletter? Please forward it.