Are you finally ready to face your budget?
- Eva L
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
If you are getting more and more stressed about money, and haven't taken the time to see exactly where you stand, today is the day.
You can't put up a good fight unless you know your opponent. So even if you have budgeted before or are brand new to budgeting, I suggest starting with the same thing. What are your bills and expenses each month. Look back at your bank and credit card statements for recurring charges and also jot down what you are spending each month at your "go-to" store. Mine was Amazon and it was a frightening total when I added it up.
Budgets do not have to be scary or rigid. They do need to be personal to you and realistic to your situation.
If you are overspending, figure out what you NEED to purchase each month. You may be using your credit card to float the money you don't have, and that will catch up to you sooner than you think. The interest alone will be terrible. Prioritize your needs, this part sucks, but it is necessary to get out of this cycle. If it is really scary, try to add in a part time job or sell some items that you can spare. This is temporary, and will hopefully get you to the other side of this.
If you have a little bit left over after you figure out your NEED to purchase items, then you can start to save for your emergency fund, save for your longer term expenses and pay off any debt.
Either scenario involves you coming up with a plan. If you have more than yourself in the household, getting everyone on the same page is important. It might not be easy and it might only be you in the beginning, but keep at it and know that it is possible.
Take a few minutes today to see where you stand with your money. Come up with a plan. Try a few ways to budget until you find what works for you (pen and paper, digital, cash only, etc). YouTube has a wonderful budget community that is so supportive, watch and find who helps you stay motivated to reach your goals.
Love this! It's so important to just stop and think about where your money is going, even for those of us who have been doing it forever. This is a good, gentle reminder to take a step back and assess our financial situation. I had to do that again this month because last month was a bust LOL Thanks, Eva! God bless!