How To Stick to A Budget in 3 Easy Steps
Want to know how to stick to a budget? These are just 3 insanely easy ways you need to know about now.
When I first started budgeting, I could NOT stick to a budget…no matter what I did, (I would always blow my budget).
Thinking about my budget, gave me so much anxiety and shame. Because it felt so restrictive as if I was being punished for spending my own money.
I knew I had to fix something because I was always stressed out about my finances and hated facing my huge mountain of debt. I felt trapped and hopeless (like I could never get out of debt or even save any money).
Sound familiar?
If you are anything like me, I’m sure you’ve realized you have to change the way you are budgeting so you can gain control of your finances.
Through a bunch of failed budgeting attempts, I managed to get a hold of my spending and hit some of my financial goals. And I’m sharing with you the top 3 insanely easy ways you too can learn how to stick to a budget (and not hate it).
These 3 (actually helpful) budget management tips will show you how to stick to a budget, so you can be in control of your money!
Make your budget flexible.
Don’t be so rigid with your budget. You know, life happens and sometimes you need to spend more money than you planned.
I’m sure you can stick to your budget if you make it flexible by adjusting your budget categories. Let’s say you spent more than you planned in groceries, then lower the amount you budgeted for eating out.
Tweak your budget, give yourself enough money to spend in each category. For example, if you normally spend $400 each month on groceries, budget $450 in your groceries category. (Budget more than you actually spent last month).
Be super flexible with your budget. If you don’t spend the extra $50 (you budgeted for groceries), you can use it for another category. Also, if you over spent $40 on gas, cut back your fun category by $40.
You have to look at your spending daily and update your expense tracker, so you can see if you are staying in budget and adjust if necessary.
You’ll be more likely to stick to a budget if you are flexible with your budget and tweak it as the month goes by.
Make your budget realistic.
The first time you make a budget, you might feel tempted to cut all your expenses drastically (just so you can have money leftover to throw at debt or savings).
Am I right?
I think so. We all do it. I’m sure you want to get out of debt as fast as possible.
Wouldn’t you feel better if you can enjoy your money, pay down debt, and at the same time start saving for your emergency fund?
Sure! You can do it all. I’ll show you how…
First, look at your past spending. You can quickly log into your bank account and look at your expenses for the last month. Then, create categories. In other words, organize your money into different sections like: (gas, groceries, eating out, rent, car insurance, etc).
Second, add up the amount you spent on each category and put a number next to each category.
For example, if you are spending $150 a month on eating out, then list it next to your “eating out” category. If you noticed you spent $120 on gas, write it next to the “gas” category.
And don’t cut anything out of your budget. (Even if you don’t like the numbers that you come up with in certain categories). Because that’s what you are used to spending and you don’t want to make your budget too restrictive.
By making your budget realistic, you are twice as likely to stay on track with your money.
I’m sure you know that it will take you several budget attempts to feel comfortable with your budget and stick to it, but don’t procrastinate. Get started with your budget today so you can create a lifestyle you deserve.
Make your budget weekly.
Focusing on how much you will spend this week, takes all the pressure off and helps you stick to your budget. Think of your budget in bite-sized pieces.
For example, think about what bills are due this week? How much will you spend on groceries this week? What will you spend on gas? How much will you spend on eating out this week?
Just thinking about this week’s budget will help you not get overwhelmed. You can prioritize your spending better. You can definitely decide what’s essential and what can you do without this week.
Maybe you decide to challenge yourself to do a no-spend week. Imagine how much money you’ll save at the end of the week! And you can use that saved money towards your financial goals.
Breaking down your monthly budget into a weekly budget, will allow you to stick to your budget easier. You’ll even feel more in control of your money.
In conclusion…
I don’t ever want you to feel anxious or stressed about budgeting. I want you to enjoy budgeting as much as I do. Getting a handle of your budget isn’t easy, but it IS possible.
In this post, you’ve learned 3 budgeting tips so far, from making your budget flexible and realistic to making your budget weekly. You’ve laid a solid foundation for building your budget; one that will set you up for long-term success.
All you have to do is get started.
If something works, you know I’m gonna share it with you. So, I hope these 3 insanely easy tips will motivate you to take action with your finances.
Remember, just keep taking small baby steps and you’ll be crushing your money goals soon.
This post was all about how to stick to a budget to help you be as prepared as possible when making your budget.
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How to Budget Money (3 Insanely Helpful Tips You’ll Wish You’d Known Sooner)
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