Check in often
One of the worst mistakes you can make when budgeting is to be hands-off. This doesn’t mean you need to be checking your back account balance before every purchase, or that you need to buy quick books for your personal finances. But your money won’t budget itself, and if something starts to slip, it is 1000x easier to deal with if you catch it right away, instead of realizing 6 months down the road when your credit card is maxed out.
“Often” for me right now means that I input expenses at least once a week, and at the end of the month we have a family budget meeting. For you it might mean inputting your expenses every day, for a while, or it could mean that you’re able to do a full reconciliation quarterly and call it good.
Find a good expense tracker
We’ve all heard that knowledge is power. If you don’t have a good way to track your expenses, how are you supposed to know anything about them? Lack of knowledge will get you every time. So put in the time to keep track of your expenses! Know where your money is going and take control.
Be flexible
Let’s say it’s November. You know you have a lot of traveling coming up for the holidays, and that means a lot of travel expenses, on top of gifts, baking supplies, and a higher electric bill. Adjust accordingly. Come January you won’t need additional gas money, but you’re thinking about a gym membership. Adjust again. Feeling tight? See if you can pick up some overtime, or find a side hustle, even if it’s only for a few months. Take some of the shoes you never wear to a consignment store. Nothing is set in stone.
Put in the work, take control, and don’t be afraid to change. You got this, boss!
Doing All Things 