Do you feel like you should be making plenty of money to cover your bills yet somehow you’re always broke?

Do you never have enough money for food?

Do you dread leaving the house because you don’t know if you’ll have enough money to even get gas?

You may have more money than you think you do, you just need to budget better.

How much are you spending on needless things? If you’re spending $20 here and there, you’d be surprised how fast it adds up. You could have hundreds of dollars hidden in miscellaneous spending that could add up to another car payment.

That hundreds of dollars you’re throwing away could easily be saved for emergencies or stashed away for vacation. You may not need a higher paying job l, you may just need to pay closer attention to what you already have.

I’ve never had a surplus of money and have been a single Mom for more than a decade. But we’ve always gone on vacations and had plenty of fun. We’ve eaten out, had Christmases and always had the bills paid.

My trick was and always will be budgeting. Plenty of people have the money to live off of one income. You just have to watch what you spend and live off of a simple life. It may take some adjustments to get there and comfortable but anyone can do it.

How would you like to stop living paycheck to paycheck? How much would you enjoy not constantly fighting over money? Wouldn’t it be nice to vacation every year?

You can do all of those things by starting a budget today.

Budgeting isn’t that hard or complicated at all.

Budgeting doesn’t have to suck. When it comes to budgeting, it can seem extremely stressful and confusing. Sometimes you don’t know where to start, what to do or even how to stick to it.

Here is my easy guide to beginners budgeting.

Budgeting will help you know exactly where your money is going, where you are spending too much, and keep you from overspending and start saving. You most likely will have to adjust your budget over and over depending on paychecks and increase of cost of living. But it doesn’t take long to make these tiny tweaks.

1. Start by writing all of your monthly bills down.

Make sure to include what you spend on lunches, gas, and necessary items like napkins, paper towels, and toilet paper, etc. Take a look at your bank account and look at essentials only. Write down the exact amount of the worst month. The month where you spend the absolute most. Use that number to go off of.

2. Write down the amount coming in.

Next you are going to write down the total amount of money that you are bringing in. But make sure to write the amount at its lowest. Pick a month where you were sick or had an emergency. Write down your lowest expected gross combined income. Use that figure in your budget.

3. Write down the difference .

Next you are going to subtract your spending from the money coming in. Whatever is left from your paycheck can be split into savings, fun, money, or anything that you want. Once you know that your bills will be covered, you don’t touch that amount in your account. The leftover amount is all that you have to work with. Make sure you stick to that amount.

4. Give yourself an allowance.

Grown-ups need an allowance too! One thing that a lot of adults don’t realize is that we need an allowance too.

A lot of problems come about when you are working paycheck to paycheck and just paying the bills. Or when couples start arguing over one spending money on hunting gear for example, and the other spouse hasn’t had time or money for new underwear!

One of the best ways you can eliminate financial fights is to give yourself both an allowance. Even $10 a paycheck can make you feel more hopeful, excited and less depressed about work.

Make sure you each get the same amount and neither of you get to have an opinion on what the other is spending it on. You each can choose to save it up for some thing fun for yourself or spend it as soon as you get it. But one rule that may seem silly, but is really crucial; do not spend it on anybody but yourself! This is not selfish. This is self-care and taking care of yourself. This will help diminish the feeling that all you do is take care of the family. Make yourself a priority!

This helps the reoccurring resentment that gets built up over time. Sharing equal amounts really helps ease the burden of financial stress.

5. Use envelopes.

The envelope system is extremely helpful for those that have trouble keeping track of money and staying consistent.

What you want to do is have an envelope set aside for each bill. If it is easier to have automatic withdrawal on bills like house payment, Internet, phone, etc. you can do that.

Envelope system can be used for things like gas, house essentials, field trip and school money, clothing money, eating out, etc.. The rule is that if there is not enough money in the envelope, then you don’t spend it. Period!

You’ll find yourself automatically finding other ways to make your money stretch because there is no cash in the envelope. This helps the bills get paid on time and helps you get ahead.

Any leftover cash? You can choose to save it for something fun and exciting! I have a change jar in my kitchen that I use anytime I have any extra change or dollar bills that are left over and I don’t need immediately. This is great for school age children because it seems they always need money for school. It’s in the jar and I can grab it quickly for last-minute field trips, lunches, clothing they need for school, and other things that come up last minute.

6. Make sure you make fun of priority!

Even when times are tough make sure that you have money for fun things. Doing fun things as a family is very important. It created binding and decreases stress.

There are plenty of ways to do low-cost things as a family. If you can afford it, save up for a vacation or even a night out together. But make sure you don’t spend any money unless there is cash in the envelope.

7. Going out to eat counts as an envelope purchase!

Make sure that you are using the money envelope for eating out. If there is no money in the envelope, you’re going to have to resort to grilled cheese or any other fast quick meal. Try to keep within this, so that your money doesn’t get used when going out to eat that is meant for bills.

If you are really strapped for time and need something quick to feed everyone, it is a lot cheaper to grab a bag of frozen chicken nuggets and french fries from the supermarket then going through the drive-through. This can be used from your grocery money.

8. Meal planning.

I have another blog about meal planning that is excellent for keeping meals in your price range. Meal planning really cuts down on the grocery bill because you’re not buying a ton of things that you won’t use for that month. You are buying specific things for specific meals that will be used every single week. You will be amazed at how much money you will save! And meal planning doesn’t have to be this long drawn out process of gourmet meals. You can meal plan easy ideas like grilled cheese and tomato soup, an easy breakfast night, easy tacos, or even frozen chicken nuggets and french fries! Just make sure that you have something written down every single day so that you won’t buy a ton of extra food.

9. Buy gift cards.

If you find the envelope system tedious and out dated, buy gift cards instead. Set aside your amount for the week or every two weeks and purchase gift cards for essentials and restaurants. That way there’s no way you can spend more than what you have on the card. And whatever you don’t spend, rolls over for the next time.

10. Buy Visa Cards.

If you want to use your extra budgeted money but don’t like keeping cash around, buy a Visa card. That way it can be used on anything at any time. Any leftovers on these cards can be used for Christmas presents as well. Don’t feel like you have to use it simply because it’s there.

Learn how to budget today and you’ll have your new car in no time!

Remember, you deserve to feel loved and love yourself.

Thrive not just survive today!