I have spent 20 years in education and all I know is monthly paydays! I have grown to like getting paid once a month but sometimes I do wonder what a weekly or bi-weekly payday would be like!
February 2023 Budget With Me
Hey friends! I just posted a new video on my YouTube channel where I'm doing a "budget with me" for the month of February. In this video, I walk you through my monthly budgeting process, how I track my expenses, and my tips for sticking to my budget. I'm really excited to share this with you and hope it helps you get a better handle on your finances too! Check out the the video above. Don't forget to like and subscribe if you find it helpful!
Visit the Edupreneur Diaries Etsy Shop grab your budget calendar, expense tracker and budget tracker!
Start by printing out the budget calendar: The first step is to download and print out a budget calendar printable. You can find many different templates online, but make sure you choose one that meets your needs.
Fill in your income: Begin by filling in your income for the month. This includes any wages, tips, bonuses, or other sources of income you expect to receive.
List your fixed expenses: Next, list your fixed expenses for the month. These are expenses that don't change from month to month, such as rent, mortgage payments, car payments, or insurance premiums.
Add your variable expenses: Once you've listed your fixed expenses, add your variable expenses. These are expenses that vary from month to month, such as groceries, entertainment, or clothing.
Prioritize your expenses: Prioritize your expenses by ranking them in order of importance. This will help you make decisions about where to cut back if necessary.
Allocate your funds: Allocate your funds to your expenses based on your priorities. Start with your fixed expenses, then move on to your variable expenses. Make sure you have enough money allocated to cover all of your expenses for the month.
Track your spending: Use the budget calendar printable to track your spending throughout the month. This will help you stay on track and avoid overspending.
Review your budget: At the end of the month, review your budget to see how you did. Make adjustments as necessary to improve your budget for the following month.
Be flexible: Remember that your budget is not set in stone. If unexpected expenses come up, make adjustments to your budget to accommodate them.
Use it regularly: Use the budget calendar printable regularly to help you stay on top of your finances and achieve your financial goals.
Set your financial goals: The first step is to set your financial goals. These can include paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a down payment on a house.
Track your income: Start by tracking your income for the month. This includes any wages, tips, bonuses, or other sources of income you expect to receive.
Categorize your expenses: Next, categorize your expenses into different categories such as housing, transportation, food, entertainment, and debt payments. This will help you see where your money is going each month.
Estimate your expenses: Estimate your expenses for each category based on your past spending habits. If you're unsure how much you spend on a certain category, track your spending for a few months to get a better estimate.
Set a budget for each category: Based on your income and estimated expenses, set a budget for each category. Make sure your total expenses don't exceed your income.
Track your spending: Throughout the month, track your actual spending for each category. This will help you see if you're staying within your budget.
Review your budget: At the end of the month, review your budget to see how you did. Make adjustments as necessary to improve your budget for the following month.
Be flexible: Remember that your budget is not set in stone. If unexpected expenses come up, make adjustments to your budget to accommodate them.
Use it regularly: Use the monthly budget tracker regularly to help you stay on top of your finances and achieve your financial goals. Regularly tracking your budget will help you become more aware of your spending habits and make better financial decisions.
Celebrate your progress: Celebrate your progress along the way as you work towards achieving your financial goals. This can help keep you motivated and on track.
Keep it with you: Keep your expense tracker with you at all times, whether it's a notebook or an app on your phone. This will make it easy to record your expenses as you go.
Record every expense: Record every expense, no matter how small. This includes things like coffee, snacks, and other small purchases.
Categorize your expenses: Categorize your expenses into different categories such as housing, transportation, food, entertainment, and debt payments. This will help you see where your money is going each month.
Set a budget for each category: Based on your income and expenses, set a budget for each category. Make sure your total expenses don't exceed your income.
Track your spending: Throughout the month, track your actual spending for each category. This will help you see if you're staying within your budget.
Review your expenses: At the end of the month, review your expenses to see where you spent your money. This will help you identify areas where you can cut back and make adjustments for the following month.
Be honest: Be honest with yourself about your spending habits. Don't try to hide or justify unnecessary expenses.
Use it regularly: Use the expense tracker regularly to help you stay on top of your finances and achieve your financial goals. Regularly tracking your expenses will help you become more aware of your spending habits and make better financial decisions.
Consider a digital tracker: Consider using a digital expense tracker like an app or online tool. These can help you automate the process and make it easier to categorize and track your expenses.
Celebrate your progress: Celebrate your progress along the way as you work towards achieving your financial goals. This can help keep you motivated and on track.
