Different budgeting styles/budget styles that work for me

Started by Deleted user
Followed by: @Samuel @Sylvia @Latasha @Deshawn @Christie @Barb @Nichole @Candice @"Sherrie D" @Maria @Jovanna @ROGER @Michelle @Jill @Sabrina @Christy @Christine @Heather @Lashanda @Suzanna @"Mary Joy" @SABRINA @Luis @Shamika @Gobby @Maria @Kristen @Antonella @Joanne @Jennifer @Shalanda @Cathy @Roberta @Misty @Melissa @This @Jessica @Mindy @Kristina @Monica @Neosha @Aaron @Alicia @Shaira @ALEXIS @Brittany @Sitlaly @Jessica @Amber @Rosa @Carmen @Angela @Amanda @Katie @william @Ashley @Nicole

Deleted user

Hi! I have a husband, 3 kids, and a dog. To get through the month, we save whatever pocket change we didn’t use that week. I give my kids $5 each week for helping with chores around the house, and if they don’t use it, they put it in their “save” jar and the interest they earn is $1 from the bank of mom

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Sylvia R.

Sounds like a great idea! I love how they get an allowance to start tracking money early!

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Latasha B.

I put myself on a $120 budget after I pay my bills from each paycheck. I use that amount to buy groceries, gas, household products, and any type of leisure activities. I forgot to mention anything remaining after the bills and outside of the $120 budget gets funneled into multiple savings accounts. This has limited my spending drastically.

Deleted user

Whoa, Latasha, sounds like you've got budgeting down to a science! What are the kinds of savings accounts you have?

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Latasha B.

Danielle I have I 2 emergency funds, one is with an online bank and the other 2 money market account with online banks, 2 regular savings with a physical bank, and one sinking fund. I had to find what works for me, but once I did I've been all in. Lol ☺

Deleted user

It really does take a while! I love love love having a sinking fund for big expenses. It feels great to just deposit the money and only be able to use it for that one thing. What really helps is only linking that sinking fund to the thing I need I'm saving for and not things like credit cards.

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Deshawn S.

I have a jar where I put money in for thing me and I son my want . Insave up too 100 dollars

Deleted user

That's awesome, Deshawn! What have you used the money for so far?

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Christie H.

I find that having separate accounts for special purposes help a lot. I have a designated amount go into each account and I only use it for what s designated for. if I don't have the money In the account, I don't spend the money. It forces you to be disciplined

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Barb M.

Wow how amazing. I am always broke for the whole month by the 5th of each month, and unable to save a dollar even. I am only receiving SSI for $771.00 per month. I have major medical problems and at this time, I am unable to work. Any suggestions?

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Latasha B.

Wow how amazing. I am always broke for the whole month by the 5th of each month, and unable to save a dollar even. I am only receiving SSI for $771.00 per month. I have major medical problems and at this time, I am unable to work. Any suggestions?

Barb what are your monthly living expenses? Do you have health insurance?

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Nichole W.

I have a similar system to Latasha. I have two regular accounts that we use every month; one that gets my direct deposit, and one that I transfer money to for the bills that require payment with a check. Then I have three separate accounts for savings; one for emergencies, one for fun stuff, and one for bug savings (like a house). I try to transfer my savings out right away once I get paid because otherwise it disappears. My husband and I try to live on $120, which we're not totally used to yet, but we're getting there. Diapers are the biggest budget killer right now.

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Latasha B.

I have a similar system to Latasha. I have two regular accounts that we use every month; one that gets my direct deposit, and one that I transfer money to for the bills that require payment with a check. Then I have three separate accounts for savings; one for emergencies, one for fun stuff, and one for bug savings (like a house). I try to transfer my savings out right away once I get paid because otherwise it disappears. My husband and I try to live on $120, which we're not totally used to yet, but we're getting there. Diapers are the biggest budget killer right now.

Nicole $120 a piece???

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Nichole W.

I have a similar system to Latasha. I have two regular accounts that we use every month; one that gets my direct deposit, and one that I transfer money to for the bills that require payment with a check. Then I have three separate accounts for savings; one for emergencies, one for fun stuff, and one for bug savings (like a house). I try to transfer my savings out right away once I get paid because otherwise it disappears. My husband and I try to live on $120, which we're not totally used to yet, but we're getting there. Diapers are the biggest budget killer right now.

Nicole $120 a piece???

No, that's our household budget for anything that isn't a bill. We do get WIC to take care of a good chunk of our food budget, but anything else along with household items, gas, eating out (once or twice a month), and any baby needs have to fit within that $120. We're a one income household, so budgeting is essential.

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Jovanna C.

I put 25 dollars each week out of my husbands pay to check in our savings account and we pay the bills and live on the rest. I'm on SSI so My check goes to the girls each month for their school needs I have one that plays softball and is in Jazz band and orchestra and the other is in Band and runs cross country and track. Whatever they have left we put in two savings account for them

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Jill R.

I'm having a hard time creating my own budget to stick with, it's a struggle to get started lol

Deleted user

I'm having a hard time creating my own budget to stick with, it's a struggle to get started lol

Here's a great budgeting Google Sheet that I used to get started! (Note: you'll have to make your own copy in order to edit it)
It's a good way to see everything and potentially plan in advance :)

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Nichole W.

NW, have you considered using cloth diapers?

I was originally planning to do that, but my husband is the one staying at home with our little girl. My job has really good benefits so we couldn't swing me staying home (plus my husband is an awesome dad!). He was okay with the idea of cloth diapers but it turned out not to be something he's comfortable with using for sanitary reasons. I'll sometimes put one on at night when I'm home, but it isn't very consistent.

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Michelle G.

I just recently started a budget and it is sort of hard for me also.

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Amber A.

I budget everyday but it is hard paycheck to paycheck. What should I do?

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