If you have never started a budget before, it can seem a little overwhelming at first. When I started budgeting, my finances were a mess. It took me a while to get organized, but once I did, the financial stress just seemed to disappear. Having a plan and a budget that works for you is crucial to financial success. Today I wanted to share some of the best budgeting articles for beginners to help you start budgeting right away.
There are so many methods of budgeting out there, how do you know which one to use? It all depends on the schedule you want to use for your budget (monthly, every two weeks, once a week, by paycheck, etc). A monthly budget might look very different, and might function differently than a budget created for a weekly schedule. Sometimes, it all starts with making a rough budget and then tweaking it to fit your exact needs. With all the different styles of budgeting out there, the end result is the same. For the most part, the basics are the same as well. You have to know your income, your expenses and have a plan for everything else.
The articles mentioned in this post are from some of the most successful budgeters our there, who have a ton of experience on this topic. It's time to take action now, to truly grasp your finances, and start budgeting successfully.
How to Start a Budget (When You Suck at Budgeting) – The Busy Budgeter
Raise your hand if you suck at budgeting. Hey, I was right there with you five years ago. I didn't even know where to start. In fact, I don't think I would have ever been successful at budgeting if I didn't start working in the financial industry. I have always loved Rosemarie's posts. She seems to get it and explains things in a way where I feel like I can be successful. In this article, she gives step by step instructions WITH PICTURES! How easy is that?
The Beginner's Guide to Budgeting – The Budget Mama
There is one quote from Jessi in this post that I LOVE. “It is the things that we work the hardest for that will reward us the most.” This couldn't be truer. The fear of failing, the fear of looking stupid, the fear of not being smart enough are all things that might “stop” you from taking the first step towards financial success. I love how honest Jessi is in this post. She lets you know up-front that budgeting will be work, it won't be easy, but the reward is worth the struggle.
Imagine knowing how much money you have left to spend in any given month, having a saving strategy for your family savings account, or having a successful debt repayment plan. This post will help you get there.
How to Create a Budget: A 6-Step Guide – Natalie Bacon
I love how Natalie admits she is a spender right off the bat. I don't know about you, but this gives me hope. It shows that you can be a spender and still budget successfully. It's all about priorities. Your goals and priorities will be very different from your best friend's, or your next door neighbor. It's important that you understand that your budget will only work for you if it is designed specifically for you. So don't be afraid if you are doing something differently, or have incorporated a unique component to your budget, as long as it works for you, that's all that matters. Natalie shows you how to create a budget in 6 simple, easy to follow steps. Pay close attention to her final note at the end.
The Beginner's Guide to Budgeting Series – Creative Savings
Kalyn created an amazing budgeting for beginners series. Each post is dedicated to each step of the budgeting process. What I love about the series is that you can start and read the first step, catch your breath, and then continue. You can take small steps at a time and then move on to the next step when you are ready. There are two things that I love about this series. One is that she talks about irregular income, which to me is a huge hurdle to overcome. Trying to create a budget when you are not sure about your income can make things difficult. She also tells you what to do after your budget is completed. Creating your budget is important, but what to do with it after it's created is crucial.
If you have read my posts, you will know I am a huge fan of zero-based budgeting, and I budget paycheck to paycheck. You can read about why I do this here. Whatever method you decide to use, or how you choose to make it work for you, taking that first step in creating one is a huge accomplishment. Stop wondering where your money is going, and start putting your money to work. You will be amazed on how much you can save, how many financial goals are reachable, and how much better you will feel all because you created a budget. You can also check out all of my budgeting posts here.
If you don't have time to read these articles, make sure to use the pin button at the top or bottom or this article to pin now, read later.
