Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Stacy Earl
Making a Budget You’ll Actually Stick To
Ever felt like budgeting was as enjoyable as getting a tax audit? We know — setting up a budget can feel like you’re watching paint dry. 24% of people don’t even bother setting up a budget because they don’t think they’ll stick to it.1 But don’t worry! Today, you’ll learn how to make a budget that’s not only fun but that you’ll want to stick to.
Savvy-Saving Living
Again, we know budgeting can be as boring as a slow-motion replay of a golf game, but hear us out: instead of just budgeting to keep track of your finances, you need to start budgeting with a goal in mind.
Now, tell us if this sounds like you: you always say you want to save up for a vacation, or have a little extra money to take your spouse on a date a few times a month, but you always find yourself spending every last cent you have and then some. And here’s the real kicker: you don’t even know where the heck all the money went!
This is what makes savvy-saving so exciting: saving up with a goal in mind and seeing yourself achieve that goal! Whether it be taking your kids to Disney World, saving up for a down payment on a new home, or new furniture, saving with a goal in mind is the first way to have fun making a budget, and sticking to it. Making room in your budget for things outside of normal bills makes budgeting exciting and ensures you keep a close eye on where every dollar is going.
Know Your Dough
Before you start a budget, there are a few important factors that need to be considered: your income and general expenses. Rent, groceries, internet bills, car payments, and more are all expenses that have to be paid, no matter what. Here are some steps to begin setting up your budget:
Know Where the Cash Comes From
The first step in budgeting is knowing when and where the cash flow comes in. In other words, you need to know exactly how much money you’re earning each month. Do you keep track of all income, no matter how small? (Hint, hint, like your earnings from kashkick.com!) This can include income from your regular job, side hustles, government payments, and more.
Get the Low-Down on Your Bill Lineup
Be honest with yourself- do you even know what goes out of your account? Are you the kind of person who swipes your card every day at Starbucks, but doesn’t even bother signing into your online banking to see if you have any of that sweet cash left for your mandatory expenses? Are your creditors coming for you for not paying your car payment in 3 months, all while said car is overflowing with plastic cups with a tiny green lady on them? This may be a sign you need to sit down and make a list of all your bills & expenses, and when they come out of your account.
Knowing everything about your income and expenses before building your budget will make sure all of your mandatory expenses are taken care of but will make sure you can save some extra bucks for fun at the same time.
Crafting Your Money Masterpiece
The whole point of making a budget you’ll actually stick to is to make it fun. Yeah, you need to get your mandatory expenses taken care of first, but then comes the party- the money you save just for yourself and your future goals.
Let’s talk about the most important pieces of your budget:
- Deciding Where Everything Goes: Make categories for your budget with your most important, non-negotiable expenses. This can be things like rent, car payments, internet & phone bills, etc. Don’t forget to make categories for things like going out with friends, vacations, or saving up for dream expenses. Remember, to stick to your budget you need to keep things fun!
- Every Dollar Has a Job: Once you’ve got your income and expenses figured out, you need to give each dollar you make a job- meaning you assign each dollar to a specific category in your budget. Start with your necessary categories first, and use what’s left for leisure, savings goals, and even unexpected expenses.
This is where it gets exciting — watching your money pile up to take that trip to Disneyland and taking it out of your account guilt-free because you know exactly what you were saving it for.
Being able to sweep your beautiful wife off her feet 3-4 times a month and take her on a lovely date, because you actually set aside the money for it in your budget. Getting those Starbucks drinks every day, but knowing you won’t be taking from your other payments because you budgeted it out.
Find Tools to Help
Some people find budgeting as boring as paying bills itself, some find it as confusing as trying to solve a Rubix cube blindfolded, and others find it as frustrating as when the ice cream machine is broken at McDonald’s. This is why having tools in place to help you budget is super important. This way, it makes budgeting super convenient, easy, and simple! Here are some tools that can help you stay on track with your super-cool new budget:
Budgeting Apps
For those who want to keep track of their budget on the go, budgeting apps are an ultra-convenient way to do so. Set up your budget on the app, and plug in your daily spending and bills on the go! For those who like to keep track of things as they happen, then budgeting apps are the way to go.
Spreadsheets
Using a spreadsheet, like in Excel or Google Sheets, can help you keep your budget super organized and kick confusion to the curb. With a spreadsheet, it’s also easy to see your budgeting categories laid out so there’s no chance you will miss anything. At the end of the day, you can sit down and look at your daily spending and plug it into your budget. Easy, simple, and organized!
Pen & Paper
Although a bit old-fashioned, simply jotting down your budget in a notebook is just as convenient and easy as the options above. Not only will this method help you stay organized, its another option you can bring with you wherever you go.
Treat Yourself (Responsibly)
After a few months of sticking to your new budget, you will be able to start reaping the rewards. All the extra money you were able to save by tracking your finances will be starting to pile up, meaning you can give yourself permission to spend some of that hard-earned cash!
Treat yourself to that date night, head to the mall, or pick up that one thing you’ve had you eye on for months. You deserve it, baby! Plus, budgeting is no fun unless you’re working towards an important, attainable goal. Keep in mind, the journey to financial stability doesn’t mean you can’t splurge on a little joy along the way!
Last but Not Least… Remember it’s Just a Numbers Game
As we proved today, budgeting doesn’t have to be a snooze-fest! Think of it as your own personal money makeover show, where you’re the savvy host turning your finances from blah to voila! Since money’s in the spotlight every day, why not spice it up and make it your financial blockbuster?
We’ve got your back in kickstarting your budgeting adventure and staying the course. Let’s make budgeting a joyful ride on the money train! And remember, budgeting isn’t a mood killer – it’s your ticket to financial freedom and fabulousness!
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