How to Save Money: Budgeting

How to Save Money is a monthly think fruitful series with helpful hints and tips for taking control of your finances. Find a free monthly budget template below!

Today is the start of a new little series on the blog, and I think it’s going to be something you’re interested in.

How to save money.

I feel like saving money is a universal goal. And with Christmas around the corner, now is (believe it or not) a great time to be thinking about your finances.

Here’s why I want you to save money:

So you can save more for trips, food and life things
So you can give more to people and organizations that you love
So you can quit worrying about your finances

Since my husband and I went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace course when we were newlyweds (thanks, parents), we have been all about budgeting. Well, I’m the main budgeter in the house, but doing the budget together keeps our relationship, home and finances healthy and fight-free.

Doing a budget is the best way to start saving money.

After all, you’ve got to know where your money is going before you can figure out where to save.

So, here’s how you start budgeting:

Make a budget every month
Use a Google sheet, Excel sheet or whatever you like to record what you are budgeting for every part of your life. With my template below, all you have to do is make a copy of the sheet or copy the text yourself to start your own budget.
Don’t forget to include the fun stuff like clothing and eating out in your budget – budgeting can be fun!
Shoot for a $0 budget where you indicate where every dollar of your income will go out (including what goes into savings)

It may take a few months to figure out just what you need for your budget, but now is a great time to start.

Use my Budget Template below to get started!

Right before that first day of a new month, take 10 minutes to fill out your budget for the next month, adding rows for things you know you’ll need like “Dentist Appointment”, “Oil Change” or “Christmas presents.” And take away or adjust any expenses you know will change.

Get excited: you’re now one big step closer to saving money!