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Be Successful with 12 Ways to Make Budgeting Easy

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To many people just saying the word Budget makes them cringe. It’s like Budget is like an offensive word, and it reminds me of cleaning. You know you need to do it, you probably have a general sense of even how to do it, yet you don’t want to. In this article, we are going to break down how you can make budgeting easy.

There are many advantages to budgeting. If you want to learn more about some of those pros check out our article 5 budget advantages to make you successful. To try and help make things easier for you we’ve created some FREE resources just for you! We really hope you enjoy our Free Budget and Expense Tracking printables.

How to make budgeting easy

  1. Consistency – This is probably the most important tip I can give you. However, being consistent will help you stick to your budget. As soon as you start to make excuses, you will give up on yourself. Don’t do that!
  2. Use an App – We put together an article about five apps that you can download to help you with your budget. Which one do you think would help you the most?
  3. Track Categories – I found that if I tracked every dollar I spent, I drove myself crazy. So instead I gave myself a category for misc items such as that random candy bar I needed at work. This way I could put money into that category without having to write down every cent used. However, some categories you need to track every line item. Use what works for you!
  4. Forgive yourself – You are going to make mistakes. Additionally, you are going to forget to write down something. However, don’t beat yourself up, correct it and move on.
  5. Be accountable – Some people will not follow through if they are the only ones who know what they are doing. Tell someone, make them ask you how you are doing. It’s harder to quit if someone is asking you about your progress.
  6. Understand your goal – If you haven’t picked out a reason for budgeting, you should do that now. If you take our Monthly Budget Blastoff course, you will get some great tips on how to set financial goals.
  7. Do what works for you – Just because a plan works for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Read and research, but ultimately you have to determine how to make your budget yours.
  8. Gets others on board – Parents, kids, significant others can dramatically impact your success. However, those who can influence you should be on board with your plan, or at least supportive of what you are doing.
  9. Reward yourself – As you achieve success with your budget find a small reward you can enjoy. In other words, your reward might be an afternoon alone. It’s way more motivating to work towards something that has some reward. Ask yourself, what is rewarding to you? How can you make that fit into your budget goals?
  10. Do NOT give up – We all get frustrated. We all want to give up. We are all cheering for you to not be like those who fail. Start and finish your budget each month, celebrate milestones, and don’t give up.
  11. Schedule Time – Everyday you need to schedule a time to update your budget. Either pay bills, update what you spent or plan out our next budget. No matter what you do, get in the habit of investing some time each day to your budget.
  12. Be Productive – Being busy and being productive are not the same. Above all, don’t over think things. Don’t get wrapped up in making your spreadsheet pretty or your budget perfect looking. Just get it down on paper so you can adjust, learn and fulfill your goals.

Monthly Budget Blastoff

Click to get our Monthly Budget Blastoff course! #budget #monthlybudget #personalfinance #finances

As mentioned earlier in the article we have a course we call our Monthly Budget Blastoff that can help you with your budget needs. This course is great for helping you determine how to make budgeting easy, helping you set goals, and you can then figure out the basics of budgets. Additionally, you get a free budget spreadsheet! Check it out now!

5 Budget Advantages to Make you Successful

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Having a budget is the #1 thing you can do for your financial well being. This simple yet effective plan allows you to manage your money and understand what you are spending. A budget does not have to be super complex nor does it need to be stressful to create. Here are 5 Budget advantages to make you successful! Just keep in mind that setting a budget is only the first step in financial success. You must stick to your budget to be truly successful.

budget advantages

Defines Objectives/Goals

When you have a budget, you end up needing to establish your long-term objectives. In turn, determining what your goals are. Some families have many goals; others have only one or two. It doesn’t matter how many you have, ensure you have defined them. You may not be able to achieve all your goals at first, and that’s ok. Work on the most important ones that will ensure financial stability first.  One of your most significant budget advantages is planning. Setting up goals allow you to project your plans to the universe. *** Pro-tip: Vision Board: What is it?

Forces you to prepare

Having a budget makes you sit down and prepare for purchases and future expenses. For example, almost every birthday in our family takes place between July and October. That 4-month stretch has an increased gift budget because we know we will need to spend more on gifts those months. Looking at the big picture of our overall budget allows us to put money aside in off months so that we aren’t struggling to make those purchases later. This applies to every area of your budget. From car repairs, clothing expenses, school fees, etc. Having a plan in place and a way to save for those expenses makes them easier to deal with.  *** Pro-tip: 15 Tips on How to Save Money

Set up an Emergency Fund

One of the most significant budget advantages is setting up an emergency fund. Most financial advisors and other business professionals recommend you have three to six months of living expenses. However, when first starting out having this much in an emergency fund may seem unrealistic. If that is you, set aside something between $750-$1,000 to help you in case of an emergency. If your car breaks down, the plumbing goes out, or something else happens you need a quick and easily accessible way to get cash fast. Having a budget allows you to save this emergency fund so that you don’t end up curled in the fetal position crying yourself to sleep not knowing how you are getting to work the next day. And Yeah, we’ve been in that position before.

Know when your bills are due

Budgets force us to pay attention to our statements and their due dates. If you are planning out when you will spend your money, then you need to know when that money is owed. This way if you have a bunch of bills due the first of the month you won’t suddenly be short because you made a big purchase on the 20th and therefore didn’t keep that money allocated as it should have been. ***Pro-tip: 5 useful ways to save money on utilities

Happier and Healthier

The last advantage to having a budget which will most certainly make you more successful in allowing you to be happier and healthier. When you start planning out your money, you will probably start to cut out unhealthy habits. Additionally, not stressing out about your money continually is sure to make you happier in life. Finding financial freedom among the chaos of today’s world is indeed a blessing and a huge stress reliever.

budget advantages

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