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M$. New Money

Budget Intentionally: How to live a life of financial freedom

Writer's picture: Precious Figueroa-SzostekPrecious Figueroa-Szostek

Updated: Sep 14, 2023

Hey there, beautiful soul!


Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of intentional budgeting. I know, I know. The word "budget" can sound stressful. Nonetheless, trust me, budgeting is key to financial freedom and living your best life. So grab a cup of tea, cozy up, and let's chat about intentional budgeting, sister!


Know Your Money, Know Yourself

Picture this: You're out with your girls, drinking a marg, and your friend wants to order green tea shots. You suddenly realize your bank account is looking emptier than your favorite edge control container. Sigh... We've all been there, sis. That's why intentional budgeting is here to save the day. It's simply a plan for managing your money. It's about being intentional with how you spend, save, and invest your hard-earned coins. And guess what? It's not about depriving yourself or giving up on the things you love. It's about finding a balance between enjoying life now and securing a bright future.

Let's Get This Money, Honey!


Know Your Money Mindset:

What is your relationship with money? Are you a saver or a spender? Do you feel guilty when you treat yourself? Reflect on your money beliefs and attitudes. This self-awareness will help you make better financial decisions.


Track Your Expenses: Grab your phone and start tracking every penny you spend. From that soy latte to that cute dress, write it down. This exercise will give you a reality check on where your money is going. There are also handy budgeting apps out there that can make this process a breeze.


Create Categories:

Break down your expenses into categories like rent, groceries, transportation, entertainment, and savings. This helps you see where your money is going and where you might need to make adjustments. Don't forget to divide a part for self-care and treating yourself because girl, you deserve it!


Set Financial Goals:

What are your dreams, sis? Do you want to travel the world, start your own business, or buy a cute little apartment? Having clear financial goals gives your budget purpose and motivation. Set realistic goals and create a plan to achieve them. You'll feel empowered watching your dreams become a reality.


Make a Budget:

Now, the moment you've been waiting for! It's time to create your budget. Start with your income and divide a specific amount to each expense category. Be realistic and don't forget to leave room for unexpected expenses. Budgeting is all about balance, so make sure you're not overspending in one area at the expense of another.


Stick to It, Sis:

The key to budgeting success is consistency. Review your budget regularly, make adjustments as needed, and stay committed. Remember, it's okay to slip up sometimes. We're all human. Just get back on track and keep going. You got this!


Celebrate Milestones:

As you make progress towards your financial goals, celebrate those milestones, sis! Treat yourself to a nice dinner or pamper session. Recognize the hard work you're putting in and the positive changes you're making in your life. Budgeting might seem overwhelming at first, but trust me, it's a game-changer. It's all about taking control of your financial destiny and making your money work for you. So, let's get to the money!


Budgeting Exercise: Mapping Your Financial Journey

Step 1: Reflect on Your Money Mindset Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with money. Answer the following questions:


  • Am I a natural saver or a spender?


  • How do I feel when I make financial decisions?


  • Do I have any limiting beliefs or fears around money?


Step 2: Track Your Expenses For the next month, track all your expenses. Use a notebook, a budgeting app, or a spreadsheet. Write down every item you buy, big or small. Be honest with yourself and don't judge your spending habits. This exercise will provide valuable insights into your spending patterns. Step 3: Categorize Your Expenses

At the end of the month, organize your spending into categories:


  • Housing (rent/mortgage, utilities)


  • Transportation (car payments, fuel, public transportation)


  • Food and Groceries


  • Entertainment and Socializing


  • Personal Care (beauty, health, grooming)


  • Debt Repayment


  • Savings and Investments


  • Miscellaneous (unexpected expenses)


Step 4: Set Financial Goals Think about your aspirations and dreams. What financial goals would you like to achieve? Examples include:

  • saving for a down payment on a house

  • paying off student loans

  • starting a business.

Write down your top three financial goals. Step 5: Create Your Budget Based on your income and expenses, it's time to create your budget. Divide a specific amount to each expense category as a limit. Remember to include savings as a non-negotiable expense.


Step 6: Review and Adjust

Review your budget regularly, ideally on a monthly basis. Compare your actual spending to your budgeted amounts. Identify areas where you might be overspending and where you can make adjustments.


Step 7: Celebrate Milestones

Remember to always celebrate yourself. The small wins are important and show off your hard work and dedication to yourself. Remember, budgeting is a tool that empowers you to take control of your financial life. It may need some adjustments and fine-tuning along the way, but it's worth it. You have the power to shape your financial future and create a life of abundance. So, grab your pen and paper or open that budgeting app, and embark on this exciting budgeting journey. You've got this, sis!


Mobile Budget Apps:

Here are a few mobile budget apps you can consider:


Pros:

  • User-friendly interface with a visually appealing design.

  • Automatically categorizes transactions for easy tracking.

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of your financial situation.

  • Sends alerts for bill reminders and unusual spending.

  • Offers personalized insights and tips for saving money.

Cons:

  • Some users report occasional syncing issues with bank accounts.

  • Advertisements within the app can be intrusive.

  • Limited customization options for budget categories.

  • May not be as suitable for users with complex financial situations or businesses.

Pros:

  • Encourages a proactive and intentional approach to budgeting.

  • Provides real-time syncing across devices.

  • Offers educational resources and live workshops.

  • Excellent customer support and active community forums.

  • Supports goal tracking and debt management.

Cons:

  • Requires a subscription with a monthly or annual fee.

  • Steeper learning curve for beginners.

  • May feel restrictive for users who prefer more flexibility in their budgeting approach.

  • Lacks some advanced features compared to other apps.

Pros:

  • Connects directly to your bank accounts for real-time transaction tracking.

  • Provides a clear overview of your income, expenses, and savings.

  • Automatically categorizes transactions and helps you identify trends.

  • Offers bill reminders and smart savings suggestions.

  • Includes an "In My Pocket" feature for tracking disposable income.

Cons:

  • Limited customization options for budget categories.

  • Some users report occasional syncing issues.

  • The free version has some limitations on the number of accounts and categories.

  • Advanced features like investment tracking are not available.

Pros:

  • Simple and easy-to-use interface.

  • Follows a zero-based budgeting approach.

  • Supports goal tracking and debt reduction strategies.

  • Offers the ability to sync transactions manually or automatically.

  • Provides access to Dave Ramsey's financial resources and budgeting principles.

Cons:

  • The free version has limited features compared to the paid version.

  • Some users find the manual input of transactions time-consuming/

  • Lacks advanced features like investment tracking or bill pay integration.

  • Not ideal for users with more complex financial situations.

5. Wally:

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface with intuitive design.

  • Offers receipt scanning for easy expense tracking.

  • Provides insights and visualizations of spending patterns.

  • Supports budgeting, savings goals, and bill reminders.

  • Allows exporting of data for further analysis.

Cons:

  • Limited functionality compared to other budgeting apps.

  • Some users report occasional syncing issues.

  • The free version contains ads, which can be bothersome for some users.

  • May not offer as many features or customization options as other apps.

Pros:

  • Uses envelope budgeting, a proven method for managing spending.

  • Provides a clear visual representation of your budget categories.

  • Supports both individual and shared budgets for couples or families.

  • Offers expense tracking and real-time updates on available funds.

  • Available is a free version with limited envelopes\

  • Available is also a paid version with unlimited envelopes.

Cons:

  • Manual input of transactions can be time-consuming.

  • Lacks automatic syncing with bank accounts.

  • The free version has limitations on the number of envelopes and accounts.

  • Advanced features like investment tracking or bill pay integration are not available.

Consider the pros and cons when choosing a budgeting app. Find the one that best fits your needs, preferences, and financial goals. Remember, you're not alone on this journey. Surround yourself with like-minded friends who support and uplift you. Share your wins, your struggles, and your favorite budgeting tips. Together, we can thrive and build a beautiful, abundant future. Here's to budgeting, sisterhood, and living our best lavish lives! Cheers!


With love,







Try out my monthly budget template:






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