When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
When I set out to learn a new skill, I don’t just do things to cross it off my list. I set out to understand it and MASTER it.
This is something that really hit me this week. It’s true. When I want to learn something, I become obsessed, and then I set out not only to do it but to absolutely master it.
It was like this with budgeting, baking, gardening, soap making, raising chickens, and now sourdough. I don’t stop trying, learning, and growing.
This can be a good thing and a curse. Sometimes, I am too hard on myself, and my obsession becomes so great that I put things that should be a priority on the back burner. It means that sometimes I overwork myself, then burn out and stop doing anything.
It’s fantastic to have a lot of hobbies and passions, but it’s also essential to define “balance” in your life. I am still working on that!
I hope you have an amazing weekend!
#thebudgetmom #dontgiveuponyourself #sourdoughjourney #tbmfamily #momboss #smallbussinessowner #moneygoals #moneymotivation #weeklyrecap #mealplanning #worklifebalance #passionandpurpose #homesteaddreams
An expensive flank steak and over $300 later, I finished meal planning, prepping, and grocery shopping.
I’m making four recipes next week with a plan to have one leftover day.
For the past six months, I have tried desperately to keep my food budget at $600/mo. Today, I’ve realized I will have to increase it by $100/mo starting next month.
That means another area of my budget will decrease. You are constantly making tradeoff decisions with your dollars, even when you don’t realize it. You spend less in one area so you can spend more in another.
Have you had to increase your food budget lately? It absolutely sucks! 😡
On the bright side, my meals are planned and ready to go!
#mealplanning #budgetgoals #mealplan #mealprep #groceryshopping #grocerybudget #foodbudget #budgeting101
Was I the only one excited about the Facebook & Instagram outages?
A social media break is always a good thing. 😊
#thebudgetmom
‼️GIVEAWAY CLOSED‼️
CONGRATS TO:
@_infamousqueen_
@sierraordona
@mistynasorensen
@msjaye
@designed_by_astrid
It’s time for a GIVEAWAY!! 🎉
This is a giveaway that I’ve never done before. For this giveaway, I am giving FIVE lucky people an enrollment into the Building Blocks of Budgeting Course (value = $260)
This course is jam-packed with over 60 videos and 100 printables, discussing everything from money mindset, retirement, investing, and even finances with a partner. Not only that, but it has the extremely popular Budget by Paycheck Workbook in Excel and Google Sheets versions.
Be sure to swipe through the slides above to read more about what is included in the course.
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Follow @thebudgetmom on Instagram
2. Like this post
3. Tag a friend in the comments (tag up to three for 3 entries)
4. Bonus Entry: Share this post
NOTE:
To protect your privacy and safety, please remember that @TheBudgetMom is our ONLY social media handle on all social media platforms. Any modification to that handle is NOT affiliated with The Budget Mom.
Terms & Conditions:
Winners must be 18 years of age. No purchase necessary to win or enter the giveaway. Giveaway starts 4/12/24 at 12PM PST and ends on 4/15/24 at 11:59PM PST. Only entries within that timeframe are eligible for the giveaway. Five (5) winners will be chosen at random and announced on 4/16/24. All winners will be notified via Instagram DM and has 48 hours to respond until a new winner is selected. Prize consists of free enrollment into the Building Blocks of Budgeting Course (value = $260)
Giveaway is in no way sponsored or endorsed by Instagram.
*I apologize for the typo 😅
Welcome to my March budget!
The joint checking account for baby spending and expenses has worked great for Chris and me! We do our finances separately for the most part, but we do have savings goals and spending together.
Dante’s $250/mo 529 College Investment Account contribution comes from our joint checking account and is not shown in my fixed expenses.
If you are in a relationship, the way you manage your finances as a partnership is up to YOU. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. The same can be said about your budget and spending. YOU DO YOU!
Has anyone else finished their March budget and is ready to tackle the new month?!!!
#thebudgetmom #budgetwithme #budgettips #budgetgoals #budgetbypaycheckworkbook #budgetbypaycheck #budgetbypaycheckmethod #budgetingforbeginners #personalfinanceforwomen #financialfreedom #wednesdaymotivation #budgetplanner #budgetmum
Why is tracking your spending so important??
YOU CAN’T CHANGE WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW.
Furthermore, you can’t improve if you don’t know where you are starting.
Everyone’s spending will look different because everyone has different goals, values, and life events.
With a clear understanding of your spending habits, it can be easier to make informed decisions and meet your financial goals.
Tracking your spending helps you identify areas where you may be spending more than you should, helping you curb unnecessary expenses. It allows you to reduce non-essential purchases and focus on what’s important to you.
Here are some other HUGE benefits of tracking your spending:
Debt management: By tracking your expenses, you can identify opportunities to allocate more funds towards debt repayment, tackle high-interest debt first, and make informed decisions that lead to financial stability.
Saving and investing: You can identify areas where you can save more or invest wisely. Tracking spending helps you set realistic savings goals, contribute to retirement accounts, and invest in assets that can grow your wealth over time.
Financial awareness and control: Tracking your spending promotes financial awareness and control. You become more conscious of your financial decisions, avoid impulsive purchases, and make informed choices about how you want to use your money. This awareness and control lead to better financial well-being and the ability to build wealth over time.
Have you discovered any surprising spending patterns through tracking your spending?
#budgeting #financialplanning #personalfinance #moneymanagement #spendingtracker #budgettips #financialfreedom #savemoney #financialgoals #moneytracking #moneytips #budgeting101 #debtfreejourney #financialwellness #budgetplanning #frugalliving #financialhabits #smartspending #moneysavingtips #financialawareness #thebudgetmom #budgetmom
SOME OF MY TOP BUDGETING TIPS:
1️⃣ Establish & discover your WHY. Clarify your purpose. Why do you want to get better with your money, and why do you want to budget?
2️⃣ Start in a place of reality. A budget is not about what you want to spend. It’s about what you are actually spending.
3️⃣ Track your spending and know where your money is going so you can make better financial decisions.
4️⃣ Focus on self-discovery, not the numbers. Once you can get past the numbers and focus on the underlying issues, you will start to see permanent change.
5️⃣ Stop comparing your financial journey. Your story is unique. Celebrate and define success, goals, and values for yourself!
6️⃣ Prepare and plan ahead of time so you can give yourself peace of mind!
Shout out to the amazing #tbmfamily😍
#thebudgetmom #budgetgoals #budgettips #budgetlife #budgeting101 #budgetingforbeginners #budgetbypaycheck #financialfreedom #budget
Today, I closed out my February budget and started my new tracking period for March.
Here is a breakdown of the steps I completed to close out my budget:
1️⃣ Unstuff my cash envelopes and figure out what I want to do with any cash that is leftover
2️⃣ Update & total my spending for the month
3️⃣ Fill in the “Actual” column on my budget
4️⃣ Fill out my “Where Did My Money Go?” worksheets
Here is a breakdown of the steps I complete to start my new tracking period:
1️⃣ Print and make my cash envelopes
2️⃣ Go to the bank, get my paycheck, and pull out cash for my cash envelopes.
3️⃣ Prep & start new expense trackers
4️⃣ Stuff cash envelopes
5️⃣ Make online transfers for different savings goals
6️⃣ Stuff savings cash envelopes and update savings goals binder
For some, this seems like a lot. To me, it just looks like peace of mind and security.
I love closing out my budget, even when I don’t want to see my spending for the month in some categories. 🤣
I also love starting a new tracking period because it feels like hitting the refresh button. It’s another opportunity to take what I have learned and make better decisions and more progress.
What do you struggle with the most when it comes to closing out your budget for the month?
#thebudgetmom #budgettips #budgetgoals #spendinghabits #trackyourspending #expensetracker #monthlyexpenses #cashenvelopes #cashenvelopesystem #cashenvelopestuffing #cashenvelopewallet #cashenvelopemethod #budgetingforbeginners #budgeting101
Did you know March is National Frozen Food Month?
During the month of March, many supermarkets will have heavy discounts and coupons on a variety of frozen foods.
Besides the savings, Frozen Food Month also brings awareness to how purchasing frozen items can help your budget.
Frozen foods can be up to 50% cheaper than their fresh counterparts and can be kept indefinitely. The FDA says that while the taste value may diminish slightly, the food remains safe to eat forever.
By choosing frozen over fresh, you eliminate the issue of food going bad before you can even use it.
What is your favorite frozen food item?
#FrozenFoodMonth #FreezerMeal #ConvenientCooking #FrozenDinner #FrozenFoodFaves #MealPrep #ColdStorage #FrozenFoods #EasyDinner #FreezerFriendly
Did you know March is National Frozen Food Month?
During the month of March, many supermarkets will have heavy discounts and coupons on a variety of frozen foods.
Besides the savings, Frozen Food Month also brings awareness to how purchasing frozen items can help your budget.
Frozen foods can be up to 50% cheaper than their fresh counterparts and can be kept indefinitely. The FDA says that while the taste value may diminish slightly, the food remains safe to eat forever.
By choosing frozen over fresh, you eliminate the issue of food going bad before you can even use it.
What is your favorite frozen food item?
#FrozenFoodMonth #FreezerMeal #ConvenientCooking #FrozenDinner #FrozenFoodFaves #MealPrep #ColdStorage #FrozenFoods #EasyDinner #FreezerFriendly
Did you know March is National Frozen Food Month?
During the month of March, many supermarkets will have heavy discounts and coupons on a variety of frozen foods.
Besides the savings, Frozen Food Month also brings awareness to how purchasing frozen items can help your budget.
Frozen foods can be up to 50% cheaper than their fresh counterparts and can be kept indefinitely. The FDA says that while the taste value may diminish slightly, the food remains safe to eat forever.
By choosing frozen over fresh, you eliminate the issue of food going bad before you can even use it.
What is your favorite frozen food item?
#FrozenFoodMonth #FreezerMeal #ConvenientCooking #FrozenDinner #FrozenFoodFaves #MealPrep #ColdStorage #FrozenFoods #EasyDinner #FreezerFriendly
Did you know March is National Frozen Food Month?
During the month of March, many supermarkets will have heavy discounts and coupons on a variety of frozen foods.
Besides the savings, Frozen Food Month also brings awareness to how purchasing frozen items can help your budget.
Frozen foods can be up to 50% cheaper than their fresh counterparts and can be kept indefinitely. The FDA says that while the taste value may diminish slightly, the food remains safe to eat forever.
By choosing frozen over fresh, you eliminate the issue of food going bad before you can even use it.
What is your favorite frozen food item?
#FrozenFoodMonth #FreezerMeal #ConvenientCooking #FrozenDinner #FrozenFoodFaves #MealPrep #ColdStorage #FrozenFoods #EasyDinner #FreezerFriendly
Have you ever got home from picking your child up from school, got home, and went to start dinner, only to realize you forgot to thaw out the meat?
What about not wanting to make a recipe that’s on your meal plan for the week?
What if something comes up and you no longer have time to make dinner?
Real life happens, so I am prepared to eat at home even when I can’t make what’s on my original meal plan.
I ALWAYS have a PLAN B to my PLAN A meal plan!
Your PLAN A is what you originally wanted to make for your meal plan. It’s your initial plan. Your PLAN B is there to save you when your PLAN A meal plan doesn’t work or can’t happen.
I eat out for convenience. Most of us have been there. To help combat that, I make sure eating at home is convenient.
If you struggle with sticking to your meal plan or find yourself eating out even though you took the time to create a meal plan, this will help!
Watch my stories for the link to watch the entire video or head over to my YouTube channel!
#thebudgetmom #mealplan #mealplanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #mealplanideas #mealplanningonabudget #savemoney #foodbudget #mealplanningmommies
If you missed my Instagram Live this past week, it’s now up on YouTube!
I broke down the entire video into chapters, so it’s easier to find the content and answers you are looking for.
I cover a lot in this video, such as:
💵 How to be a good saver
💵 Loud budgeting
💵 Sneak peek at new products
💵 New BBP
💵 My Mom
I also answered the question about when I will be back on YouTube.
I’m excited to do more lives in the future!
You can find the link to watch the entire video in my stories or simply head to my YouTube channel (The Budget Mom)!
#thebudgetmom #budgeting101 #budgetbypaycheckmethod #budgetingforbeginners #youtubechannel #moneymotivation #budgetbypacheck #moneytips
Comment BUDGETBLUEPRINT and I will send you a link to my free course on how to create a realistic budget so you can pay off more debt!!
#thebudgetmom #debtfreegoals #budgetbypaycheck
