This is the first year (2025) I have tried this and I like it a lot! It’s prepared and simple. It can be done on the computer or printed.
The Budget (left) shows the income, and all expenses and savings below. Totals can be added on the bottom before annuals, but I have a rough idea of what is left every month.
The Check Register (right) lists the transactions that happen in my checking each day, and the costs that go with it. I condense it because I really don’t want to have multiple pages with each line being each purchase/bill. That’s why I don’t use the book anymore. AND what’s nice is I can put in the transactions/bills on those dates I KNOW will happen, so I can SEE which paycheck will take care of them. I am a visual person, so seeing it helps A LOT.
I use Automatic Withdrawls for almost all the expenses and savings on my list above! And have learned which money comes out which days and make sure I have it ready!
Annual bills are at the bottom as those don’t happen every month. I also have to list HOW I need to pay them as they vary. It will be different for you as well.
BUDGET CATEGORIES:
FIXED – House, electricity, phones, internet, heating, subscriptions, even any insurances paid monthly, etc. (I dislike “utilities” because it varies! So I just list what I literally pay for separately)
LOANS – Credit card, car loans, hospital bills, school loans, etc. That shows us what we owe all together.
SAVINGS –
– Main Share (is just savings, many times for emergencies, which is a necessity)
– Car (is a must for annual insurance, expenses for fixing, or saving for a new car)
– Heat (is good to build upon to be ready for those winter months)
– House (to save for those annual house bills, expenses, or future house)
– Gifts (for others during the year…like a Christmas Fund)
– Clothing (good to build up on so you can buy what you need when you need it)
– Entertainment (for travel, carnivals, movies, anything fun)
– Children (savings for them or for their future)
FLEXIBLE – is basically groceries and gas and small spending.
So this is how I have been budgeting and it is really nice and easy! I just open up my account and write in the transactions, then update the budget, making sure everything is ready for the next several days. Checking it often. I hope my husband can understand it if I ever pass away before him haha! I hope this helps you too!
