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Budgeting has a bad rap! Why? Because, in many cases, budgeting feels so restrictive that people “fall off the wagon.”

But budgeting (even for your family) shouldn’t feel restrictive. Budgeting is about learning how to feel empowered when you spend.  I achieve this by setting aside money for the things that I really want instead of just impulse spending. When I budget for something that I want, it feels great when I buy it!

Growing up, my mom was always someone who couldn’t resist a sale.

But I started to notice that this can be a trap because…

The 1/3 third rule of budgeting is a financial planning classic. Let’s go over this simple rule of money management in brief, so you can get started budgeting and saving!

The 1/3 rule of budgeting is a simple financial guideline that suggests allocating your after-tax income into three broad categories: home, living expenses, and saving and investments.

The ⅓ rule for budgeting will help you avoid overextending yourself, particularly when looking to purchase a new home or when finding a place to rent.

However, this rule doesn’t work for everyone…

Baseline budgeting is a budgeting strategy that uses the previous year’s budget and makes adjustments for the new year.

How should I budget if I have extra money at the end of the month? If you have extra money, the most critical thing you can do is get organized! Start by organizing your spending into categories—cover your needs, set aside savings, and be intentional with your wants.

A solid business budget includes expenses like rent, payroll, and advertising. Review income trends, track cash flow, and use tools like QuickBooks for success.

Line-item budgeting is a popular financial planning method because it itemizes your monthly expenses and income into specific categories.

The key to successful budgeting is first understanding how you think about budgeting.  

Let’s talk about how to use leftover money in your budget. First, this is a great problem to have!

Learning how to budget money with a spouse who spends too much means talking about money without getting upset.

One of the best parts of budgeting is allocating fun money, which is money you spend on “wants” rather than necessities.