Do you ever feel like you’ve worked hard to build your budget but you just can’t seem to stick with it?
You are NOT alone!
While it may feel like the hardest part of budgeting is building it, managing your money and staying on budget can be way harder.
Read on for 7 easy ways to stick to your monthly budget!
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Know Your Budget “Why”
Why do you want to stick with your budget?
Are you trying to hit short-term, medium-term, or long-term goals?
Do you want to fund your emergency fund or pay for your next vacation in cash?
Maybe you want to buy your first home next year?
Or maybe you want to start your own business or retire early and reach FIRE?
Take a minute, think about your “why”, and then write it down!
Make sure your “why” is visibile to you every time you’re thinking about spending money.
It could be a picture of your dream vacation destination taped to your monitor. Or a Post-It on your credit card in your wallet.
Where will you see your “why” every time you want to spend your money?
Find your “why” and keep it visible!
Make a Plan for Online Purchases
Companies like Amazon make it SO easy to impulse spend instantly!
And if you’re anything like me, your recycling bin is full of delivery boxes each week.
Instead of hitting the button every time you need something, set a day each week to complete your online orders.
Build your cart throughout the week – but DON’T hit the “buy” button!
Once your purchase day hits, check through all of the items in your cart.
Do you really need everything you’ve added?
Move those items to “Save for Later” or delete them from the cart, and then make your final purchase.
Bonus points if you remove your credit card information from your shopping accounts and your browser. You’ll spend less if you have to get up to get your credit card each time!
Break Down Your Budget Weekly
Sometimes it can help to break your budget down into weekly amounts.
If you budgeted $500 for groceries for the month, focus on spending $125/week.
If you go over that limit in the first week of the month, adjust the following weeks accordingly.
If you spend less than that limit, either allow yourself a little more wiggle room the follow weeks or send that extra amount to savings.
Set a Weekly Budget Meeting
How many times have you gotten to the end of the month and thought “How did I spend all this money??”
Set a calendar reminder and check in with your budget once a week to see where you stand.
If you’re budgeting with a partner, bring them into this weekly meeting.
Just remember that this is a conversation, not a battle.
Create a relaxed environment with a glass of wine (or beverage of your choice) and talk through your weekly spending in a collaborative way.
Did you or your partner go over budget somewhere?
Put away the criticism and talk through a solution to prevent going over budget next time.
Give each other grace and work together to stay on budget.
Keep It Real
Remember to build your budget for your real self, not your ideal self.
Sure, your ideal self may be a master meal planner who never spends $14 on a rush lunch at Starbucks.
But your real self may not be so perfect- and that’s okay.
Don’t set a budget that is going to set you up for failure.
Acknowledge your lifestyle and build it into your budget.
And don’t build a budget that constantly deprives you of things that bring you joy just to save money.
It’s not sustainable, and you’ll be miserable.
Give Yourself Grace
It can take a while to find your perfect budget, especially if you have a partner or family.
Don’t expect that you’ll get it right the first time- that’s okay!
Set time at the beginning of the month to reflect on the previous month’s budget.
What worked? What didn’t? Are there changes you can make this month to get it to work?
Test those changes for a month, then check in on them.
Did they work? Great, keep them! If not, keep trying!
Take Control and Own Your Budget
Your budget is a spending PLAN, not just a tool to monitor your spending.
Set your budget at the beginning of the month, check in regularly, and take action based on your spending.
Your spending should be an active choice – not a passive one.
Take control and own it!
Wrapping it Up
If you want to stick to your monthly budget, take your time to find your why, make a plan for online purchases, and break your budget down weekly.
Check in with your budget regularly, alone or with your partner.
Make sure you keep it real and give yourself grace if you don’t stick with your budget perfectly.
Take control and own your budget- you got this!
How do you stick with your budget? What are your best tips to make sure you keep your spending under control each month? What are your biggest struggles for staying in budget? Share them in the comments below!
Do you want to reset your money mindset?
Sign up here to receive the FREE 7-Day Money Mindset Reset course!
This is really helpful, especially with the holidays creeping up!
These are great suggestions on sticking to a budget. So many times I would have a budget and still go over . I think with the winter coming up , I’ll be able to take control over my budget.
When I start my budget (or restart it for the umpteenth time lol) I have to give myself so much grace that first month. It’s eye opening to see where it all goes.
This so helpful. This is my first week of saving and sometimes it’s too difficult too stretch out the saving until the end of the month.