Ready to dive into the big, beautiful world of budgeting? Before you do, here are seven things you have to know — and accept — about budgeting. The sooner you come to grips with these realities, the sooner you’ll have the right budget for you!
You Have To Stick To It
This seems obvious, but so many people make a budget because it makes them feel productive. While making the budget is half the battle, it won’t do you any good if you still spend however you want. Stick to your budget as best you can, and if you’re struggling, adjust it so you won’t.
It Won’t Be Right the First Time
No one nails their first budget, so don’t worry if you find yourself swapping things out the first few weeks or even months. Don’t let it deter you from your budgeting goals; it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you know how to rectify them.
You’ll Have to Prioritize Spending
Most people budget for the same reason: to keep track of their spending and ensure it’s all going to the appropriate channels. Many of the things you budget for will help you maintain your quality of life and have wonderful experiences, but in reality, you’ll have to sit down and ask yourself how reasonable these expenditures are if you want to meet your financial goals.
It Will Require Time and Effort To Do Right
It doesn’t matter when you set aside time to budget. Many will do it daily, while others prefer to tally everything up by the end of the week. But successful budgeters carve out intentional time to check in with their spending and update their budgets, and you’ll need to do the same.
You Might Not See Much Change at First
The first step of budgeting should just be gathering information. The best way to start with a budget is by tracking your expenses without altering them for anywhere from a week to a month. Then, use that information to help form a more frugal but realistic budget.
But since this process can take a month or two, know that it might take a moment until you start saving a considerable amount of money.
You Won’t Always Be Able To Stick To It
At the risk of sounding contradictory, it’s worth mentioning that you will inevitably slip up with your budget and spend outside your means or overspend on a category. It’s all part of the learning process; don’t let one slip-up derail your budget!
You Have To Find What Works for You
Do whatever you can to make yourself show up for your financial goals. If you prefer to have a written budget, don’t bother with flashy phone apps if you won’t use them. And if the only way you can muster up the energy to sit down and budget is with a hot cup of coffee right at the beginning of the day, then that’s when you should do it. Set yourself up for success!
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