Okay, letās get real. Budgeting sounds boring. Like⦠spreadsheets, math, limits? Nope, not fun. But if you've ever checked your balance mid-month and thought, āWhere the hell did my money go?ā ā then yeah, a budget might be your new best friend.
This isnāt some finance bro talk. This is just a simple, no-stress guide to help you get a grip on your money ā even if you're just starting out.
š First: Why Even Bother Budgeting?
Look, itās not about being strict or cutting out every coffee. Itās about knowing where your money goes so you donāt feel broke all the time.
Itās basically telling your money where to go before it decides for you.
šø Step 1: Figure Out What You Actually Make
Start with how much you take home each month. Not your salaryāwhat actually lands in your bank after taxes and stuff.
Add side hustle money, freelance gigs, or anything extra. Thatās your ārealā monthly income.
š Step 2: Whereās It All Going?
This part sucks but is weirdly eye-opening. Look at your last month of spending. Go through your bank app, write it all down, or use Notes. Break it into:
-
Rent/room
-
Food (groceries + takeout)
-
Netflix, Spotify, random subs you forgot about
-
Rideshares, gas, whatever
-
Debt (if youāve got it)
-
Savings (or... not yet?)
No judgment here. This is just so you see the leaks.
š§© Step 3: Make a Simple Plan (aka a Budget)
Once you know whatās coming in and whatās going out, set some limits. But chill ā nothing extreme.
Try this:
-
50% on musts (rent, food, bills)
-
30% on fun (yes, fun is allowed)
-
20% to savings or debt (even if itās tiny at first)
You can tweak it. Just start somewhere.
š Step 4: Check In Weekly (Not Just Monthly)
This isnāt one of those ādo it once and forget itā things. Things change, stuff comes up. So check your spending once a week. Takes like 5 mins.
-
Did you overspend?
-
Did you forget something?
-
Need to move money around?
Totally normal. Budgets aren't perfect ā theyāre personal.
ā” Bonus: Real Tips That Helped Me
-
I unsubscribed from stuff I never used (RIP, random fitness app)
-
I made a āstupid moneyā folder in Notes where I track impulse buys
-
I save before I spend ā auto transfer to savings, even if itās $30
-
I gave myself a ātreatā budget so I donāt feel restricted
ā Final Thought
Monthly budget planning doesnāt have to be some rigid system. Itās just⦠a plan for your money. Thatās it. Youāre not too young or too broke to start.
Start messy, start small, just start. Youāll thank yourself in a few months when things feel a little less chaotic.
Comments
Post a Comment