Full budget spread with my pay dates, debt, and spending tracker, with a savings challenge at the bottom of the page.

So, here's a life update: I got a job! (Which semi-explains my absences here) But with a job comes something that can be dangerous: money. Without any hold, spending can get out of control, and that paycheck can be gone in a few days. That is where a budget comes in, where I can plan my spending while ensuring all my financial goals are achieved.

I was in that position when I had no idea where my money had gone, and it is not a feeling I want to be in again.

There are different ways to start a budget, but I am a pen-and-paper girl, so here is how I use pen and paper for a monthly budget.

First, list all my monthly pay dates at the top. If I had a stable income, I could write the amount you get every pay period while setting up the budget and put it next to each date. My income is a little bit wishy-washy, so I write my payment as I see the money in my bank account. This is a way to know what income is coming to your account and what you must work with for the month.

First step is list out my pay dates and my income I am receiving this month. — *I usually put all my pay dates on the top just so I can always have a place to glance at.*

Next, list if I have any debts and how much I am paying off this month, if not all. Make it fancy, do some math, and subtract that number from the balance. It is best to see what impact I have made when I want to pay off my debt in total or part; it is a motivator.

Next I list off my debts and how much i am paying it off for the month, — *Debt can be labeled as multiple things- credit card loans and mortgages are debts. To learn more about it, click* *here*.

Lastly, list out all of your recurring payments. Make a chart with three columns and label them What?, Price, and Where. What?- what did I buy, or what was the payment for? Price- how much did it cost? Where?- what payment methods did I use, was it a credit card, or was it a debit card/cash?

Third step is to list all my spending, tracking what did I pay for, what was the price, and what payment method did I use. I use a chart with three columns for that. — *A spending tracker is what I like to track all my expenses and where did I pay - whether it was on my debt card, credit card or cash.*

Another thing I like to do is add a savings section where I can create a savings challenge for myself.

Lastly, I add a saving challenge, which is 4 checkboxes with specific amounts of money that I need to put in my savings. — *Savings challenges are my way of gamify my savings.*

There it is, my very simple budget that can get through the month.

How I Create a Budget

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