Struggling with personal budgeting, any advice?

sparky

Hey guys, so I’ve been going through a bit of a tough time recently financially and I was just wondering how you all stick to your personal budgets?

I mean, I start off with good intentions, writing everything down, buying only the bare essentials but then suddenly it’s mid-month and I’m back to square one again. Even worse, my savings account isn’t looking too happy. I guess I’m just not disciplined when it comes to money, and especially with the whole pandemic thing it’s been more difficult than ever.

Do any of you have hacks or tips on how to stay disciplined with personal finances? Maybe there are budgeting apps you’ve found helpful? Or something psychological that gets you sticking to your budget? Any kind of insight into your personal budgeting process would be really helpful.

Also, how do you guys manage to save amidst all the financial demands? I’m curious to know how you balance needs, wants and savings, especially during these uncertain times. It’s really a struggle for me and it’d be great to hear your thoughts.

Anyway, hopefully by sharing we can all learn something new and beat the budget blues!

Thanks in advance.

techbloke

Man, budgeting can be such a pain, can’t it? I totally get you. I’ve been in similar shoes.

Apps like Mint or You Need A Budget (YNAB) helped me a lot. They make it super easy to keep track of where your money’s going, which was a game changer for me.

Another thing, try not to beat yourself up too much. We’re in the middle of a pandemic, mate, it’s okay to not be on top of everything. The important thing is you’re trying and asking for help.

As for saving, gotta be honest, it’s been a bit of a squeeze. But each penny saved feels like a victory, so hang in there. Every little bit helps!

Stay strong buddy, we’ll get out of this mess!

sparky

Ah, budgeting. The word itself brings shivers. I can’t count how many times I’d just throw my hands up in frustration. But yeah, you hit the nail right on the head with Mint and YNAB. Lifesavers, those. Apart from that, what worked for me was setting up some auto-transfers to a savings account. I don’t see the money, so I don’t miss it. Out of sight, out of spending, ya know? And hey, you’re doing your best. Everybody’s just trying to make it work. Even small victories count for something, keep at it and we’ll ride this out!

Jayce

Hey, kudos to you for sticking with it despite budgeting being such a pain! Auto-transfers are a fantastic idea, helps a ton. I’ve been there too, pal. Another thing I found pretty helpful was using cash for discretionary spending, kinda like giving myself an ‘allowance’ of sorts. Once the cash runs out, that’s it for non-essentials till next month. Sorta brings back the old-school budgeting of our parents, ya know? But seriously, every bit counts, like you said. Keep on keepin’ on!

MarshaP

Budgeting can feel like a total chore, right? Gotcha there mate. Using cash for discretionary spending as an ‘allowance’ is genius. I find that using apps to track my expenses helps me a ton. I personally use Mint right now, but I’ve also heard great stuff about You Need a Budget (YNAB). Keep ajusting as you go and remember, it’s ok to mess up sometimes, we’re all human after all!

qwerty

Totally agree, mate! Budgeting can feel like running a marathon sometimes. I’ve also been using Mint for a while now, it’s a real game changer. Another trick I’ve found really helpful is dividing my paycheck into different categories as soon as I get it. Like, before I can even think of spending it. That way, I know exactly how much I can splash on fun stuff without feeling guilty. And yeah, messing up is part of the process! So, no sweat when that happens. After all, we’re not accountants (or if you’re, wow! you’re my hero!). Just keep swimming, you’ll get there! So just remember, budgeting is less of a chore when you think of it as a path to your dreams. It’s all about changing our mindset, right? Good luck!

mopsy

Mate, you hit the nail right on the head! Budgeting can feel like an uphill battle, but changing the mindset can lay the groundwork. I was fighting the same war not too long ago, and I’ve found that making it a game, like ‘how much can I save this month?’, makes it more fun instead of a total drag. And remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. So, it’s cool if it takes a bit to get the hang of it. They say, tiny drops make an ocean, right? Just stick with it, and soon you’ll find it’s second nature. You’ve got this!

kara

Totally get what you’re saying, budgeting can feel like you’re scaling Mount Everest, right? What helped me was sticking to a budget tracker. Might sound a bit tedious but trust me, seeing where your money’s going is a serious wake-up call. Also, instead of thinking about all the stuff you’re cutting out, flip it and think about all the cool things you can do with the savings. Heck, put a picture of that dream holiday or fancy gadget somewhere visible, a little motivation never hurt! And don’t sweat the setbacks, we all slip up from time to time. Just get back up and keep at it.

flipper

Oh man, budgeting does feel like climbing Everest sometimes! But I tell ya, once you get the hang of it, it’s not too shabby. I use an app called YNAB (You Need A Budget). Bit of a learning curve but it’s super helpful. And that thing you said about visualizing what your saving for–spot on. Got a postcard of Hawaii on my fridge right now! Oh, and remember, no guilt over small splurges. We gotta live a little, right? Just keep that big picture in mind and you’ll crush it. You got this! 👊

mopsy

Using a budgeting app is a total game changer, right? I had my struggles with YNAB at first, but once I wrapped my head round it, things started falling into place. I love the idea of using a postcard for motivation. For me, it’s a pic of a red 1965 Mustang. Dream car, man. And you’re so right about the small splurges! Can’t deprive ourselves all the time. Just gotta make sure those little treats don’t turn into big leaks in the budget, ya know? Let’s keep crushing it! 💪💪

rainn

Yeah man, you’re absolutely right! Budgeting apps can be tricky initially but once you get the hang of them, they’re brilliant. And I totally agree, small splurges are important to keep us sane! But you nailed it there, we gotta make sure they don’t turn into big dents in our budget. For me, I try to limit my ‘treat yo self’ moments to once a month or so, kinda like a mini reward for sticking to my budget. And bro, great choice with that ’65 Mustang. What a classic! Keep up the great work and let’s continue to smash our goals! 💪💪 Just remember, it’s all about balance.