I am a budgeter.

I think I have always been a budgeter. It took a while to get here and say it out loud. And even show it on my new YouTube channel. I love it. I love how it settles me. I love how it gives me a path to trek; usually the path of "time to pay off some debt", but still a path. I have used an app for over a decade called YNAB, which stands for You Need a Budget. It has helped me pay off debt in the past while also not creating more debt. I like being able to pay off my debt while also saving money for things like auto maintenance, gifts, medical, all the things you might put on a credit card if you can't pay for it out of your bank account.

This year I have taken it a step further, actually a few steps! I have started a hybrid budget, which includes my old faithful, YNAB, and my new venture of cash envelope stuffing. I have been watching the budgeting community on YouTube for years and getting a ton of motivation and tips. I finally took the plunge in late 2023 and started my YouTube channel, Budget Your Life. I started to film videos of me planning, budgeting and I recently added cash stuffing. I look forward to film and have even noticed a huge difference in my spending habits. I am making effort to think about what I have put away for spending and what I want to save this month. And the people I have met through YouTube have been so supportive and nice.

So even though I have been a budgeter for decades. I made mistakes. Racked up debt. Paid off debt (a few times). I kept trying. So, while I was spending and admittedly living paycheck to paycheck for a while, I now see my saving potential and my ability to get through unexpected expenses. If you are in the spending phase, the no money phase or maybe you already budget, I'm proud of you. Keep at it and things will change. Keep at it even longer and it will change a lot. You will get there, and it probably won't be on your time schedule. When you get the clarity of spending wisely (please make sure you save money to spend on things you love, or this isn't a

budget, it's a torture session) and see your efforts rewarded with debt payoff or savings goals reached, you will feel amazing.

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New to budgeting?

Try this budget planner to get started. If you don't like this one, try a notebook to write down the money you have coming in (Income) and the money going out (expenses) and see if you are spending more than you make. Watch a ton of YouTube videos, find people that inspire you and try to make it fun. I know it might not be fun to you, but maybe the end result of debt payoff or a new car will make it super fun! See you around YouTube!

Budget Your Life website

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