Introduction: Budgeting Sounds Boring, But So Does Being Broke
Let’s be honest, when you hear the word “budget,” your brain probably goes straight to restrictions, spreadsheets, and saying goodbye to all things fun.
But here’s the thing: budgeting isn’t about suffering; it’s about making your money work for you without feeling like you’re on a financial fast.
We’ve all been there: You check your account balance, expecting a healthy amount, only to see a figure so low that you start questioning your entire life’s decisions. “Who spent all this money?” (Spoiler: It was you.) And that’s exactly why budgeting matter, not to stop you from spending, but to make sure you actually know where your money is going.
The good news? Budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated.
In this guide, let’s talk about how to take control of your money without feeling broke, deprived, or bored out of your mind. Let’s get into it.
Step 1: Know Where Your Money Goes (Before It Disappears Mysteriously)
The first step to budgeting isn’t cutting back, it’s figuring out where your money actually goes.
How to Track Your Spending (Without Feeling Like an Accountant)
There are two types of spenders:
1. The “I don’t know where my money goes” crew – You swipe, tap, and transfer without thinking. If someone asks how much you spent last week, you’d have to call your bank for answers.
2. The “I track everything” squad – You have a budget spreadsheet, a color-coded expense tracker, and maybe even a money diary. You scare the rest of us.
If you’re in the first group (no judgment), you need a system. Here are three easy ways to track your spending:
• Bank Notifications: Activate those bank alerts. Let your bank remind you every time you spend—annoying but effective.
• Spending Apps: Apps like Mint, PocketGuard, or your bank’s spending tracker categorize your expenses automatically.
• The Old-School Notes Method: At the end of each day, write down everything you spent money on. You’ll be shocked at how much goes into “small” things like snacks and impulsive online shopping.
The goal isn’t to stop spending, it’s to understand your spending habits. Once you know where your money goes, you can start making smarter decisions.
Step 2: Create a Budget You Can Actually Follow
Now that you know where your money goes, it’s time to give it a job.
The key to budgeting isn’t restricting yourself until life becomes miserable. It’s about allocating your money in a way that lets you handle responsibilities while still enjoying yourself.
The 50/30/20 Rule (a Budgeting Cheat Code)
If you don’t want to overcomplicate things, just follow this formula:
• 50% Needs: Rent, food, transport, bills—aka the things keeping you alive.
• 30% Wants: Netflix, eating out, weekend turn-ups—aka the things keeping you sane.
• 20% Savings/Debt Repayment: Future you will thank you for this.
Real-Life Example:
Let’s say you make $2,500/month. Using the 50/30/20 rule:
• $1,250 goes to needs (rent, groceries, transport, bills).
• $750 goes to wants (because you still deserve enjoyment).
• $500 goes to savings, investments, or paying off debt.
What If My Expenses Are More Than 50%?
Welcome to adulthood. If your needs are eating up more than 50% of your income, here’s what to do:
• Cut down on unnecessary “needs” (e.g., do you really need that premium cable subscription?)
• Increase your income (side hustle, better job, freelancing—whatever works).
• Adjust the percentages to something more realistic. Maybe 60/20/20 works better for you.
Budgeting Hack: The Reverse Budget
If traditional budgeting feels too rigid, try this:
1. Pay yourself first. Before spending on anything else, move a set amount to savings.
2. Handle essentials. Rent, bills, food, these get paid next.
3. Spend what’s left. Whatever remains is for flexing (responsibly).
The trick is to make your budget fit your life, not the other way around. Because let’s be honest, if a budget makes you feel miserable, you won’t stick to it.
Step 3: Trick Yourself into Saving (Because Willpower Is Overrated)
Let’s be real, if saving money required only discipline, most of us would have stacked millions by now.
But life happens, cravings hit, and somehow, our savings end up funding a random “soft life” weekend. The good news? You don’t need superhuman self-control to save. You just need to outsmart yourself.
1. Automate Your Savings (So You Don’t Have a Choice)
Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account the moment your paycheck lands. That way, saving becomes something that happens to you, not something you have to remember to do. It’s like a subscription service, but instead of paying Netflix, you’re paying yourself.
Best Ways to Automate Savings:
• Use a separate bank (preferably one with a long withdrawal process, so you won’t be tempted).
• Try a savings app which lock your savings until a set date.
• Use the “round-up” method. Some apps round up your purchases and save the difference.
2. Make Saving Feel Like a Game
Saving is boring when it feels like a chore. But what if it felt like a challenge?
• The “No-Spend” Challenge: Pick a week (or a month, if you’re brave) where you only spend on absolute essentials. Everything else? Hands off.
• The 100 Envelope Challenge: Number 100 envelopes from 1 to 100, and each day, put that amount in an envelope. By the end, you’ll have saved $1,000 (okay, maybe adjust for your currency).
• The $25 Day Rule: Save $25 every day. Sounds small, but in a year, that’s $750
3. Hide Your Savings From Yourself
If you can see it, you’ll spend it. Simple. So:
• Rename your savings account something scary like “Rent Money” or “Do Not Touch”.
• Keep your savings in dollars or investments, you’ll think twice before withdrawing.
• Use a friend for accountability (but only if they won’t let you talk them into sending it back).
The goal here is to make saving money feel effortless because when it’s too easy to access, your self-control will eventually fail you. And that’s okay. That’s why we plan for it.
Conclusion: Budgeting Isn’t a PunishmentIt’s a Cheat Code
At the end of the day, budgeting isn’t about depriving yourself.
it’s about making your money work for you so you can enjoy life without the constant “Where did all my money go?” panic.
If you take nothing else from this, remember:
✅ Track your spending so your money stops pulling disappearing acts.
✅ Use a budget that fits your lifestyle (not one that makes you feel like a prisoner)
✅ Automate and gamify your savings so you don’t have to rely on willpower.
The goal isn’t to stop spending, it’s to spend smarter.
So go ahead, buy the things you love, just make sure your bank account isn’t crying at the end of the month.
Now, time to put this into action. What’s one thing you’re going to change about your spending habits this month? Drop a comment, I’d love to hear.
