Have You Had Enough?
Enough of getting to the last week of the month, just waiting on your paycheck to drop into your account? If this sounds familiar, trust me—you’re not alone.
As a teacher, I am no stranger to juggling responsibilities, from lesson planning to managing a classroom full of eager learners. However, when it came to managing my finances, the balancing act felt just as challenging.
Between unexpected expenses and the occasional classroom supplies coming out of my own pocket, staying financially stable seemed nearly impossible.
That’s when I realized I needed to make a change. Developing a practical, monthly budgeting strategy was not only necessary to make ends meet, but also essential for achieving financial peace of mind.
That’s when the Budget Planner helped change my life!
Here’s my story of how I started getting smarter and more financially responsible with my paycheck:
At the end of 2022, I was beyond frustrated. My checking account regularly sat at -$0.00. Seriously. It was bad. I often had to dip into the joint account I shared with my husband, and each time, I felt defeated.
I was embarrassed, upset, and downright annoyed that I didn’t even have enough money for gas during the last few days of the month. I kept asking myself, What the heck am I doing wrong?!
Like many others, I turned to the internet for advice. But after reading countless suggestions, I only felt more overwhelmed.
Finally, for my New Year’s resolution, I decided it was time to try something different. I resolved to create a budget that would work for me—without giving up the small pleasures I enjoyed in my daily and monthly routine.
To kick things off, I bought myself a budget planner. That small step was a game-changer!
First: Face the Numbers
The first thing I did was write down everything I spent money on.
Every. Single. Thing.
At first, I avoided logging into my bank account because, honestly, seeing my balance made me anxious. Instead, I started by jotting down expenses from memory. While this wasn’t the most accurate method, it helped me get started.
If writing things down isn’t your style, you can type your expenses into your phone’s notes app like I did—it’s secure and convenient.
Here’s what my original “budget” looked like:
- Groceries: $720
- Childcare: $600
- Car Payment: $430
- Gas: $200
- Trash Collection: $20 (averaged per month from quarterly payments)
- Hair: $50 (averaged per month from bimonthly appointments)
- Car Wash: $40
- Pet: $20 (averaged per month from quarterly expenses)
In total, I was spending roughly $2,000 a month. But here’s the kicker: I should have had over $1,200 left each month before paying off credit cards or spending money on extras. So, why was my account always empty?
This realization was my wake-up call!!!
Second: Build a New Budget
Once my budget planner arrived, I was excited to get started. Payday came, and I knew I needed to take control. My first step was to set aside cash in my Budget Planner for certain categories to help me stay disciplined.
Here’s my updated “Smart Money Budget”:
CASH CATEGORIES:
- Childcare: $600
- Gas: $200
- Hair: $50 (averaged per month from bimonthly appointments)
- Spending Money: $200 (roughly $50 per week)
- Savings: $400 (set aside for summer pay since teachers in my state don’t receive summer paychecks)
- Pet: $20 (averaged per month from quarterly expenses)
ACCOUNT CATEGORIES:
- Car Payment: $430
- Groceries: $720
- Trash Collection: $20 (averaged per month from quarterly payments)
- Car Wash: $40
- Credit Card Payment: $400
This totaled around $3,000 per month, leaving me with an extra $200 for “wiggle room” in case of emergencies.
I became very strict about my “spending money” and disciplined myself to only swipe my debit card for groceries.
This new approach felt empowering and gave me control over my finances.
Results and Lessons Learned
After just a few months of sticking to this plan (with a few slip-ups along the way), I started noticing big changes. I had extra money at the end of the month and even managed to set aside $100 in cash for Christmas every month.
For some Christmas ideas for your younger girl, here are 10 Creative Christmas Gifts for Little Girls!
Now, after a year and a half of following this system, I have enough savings to cover summer expenses without stress.
My Final Thoughts
Over time, I’ve learned that smart budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about intention. By tracking my expenses, setting clear financial goals, and prioritizing what matters most, I’ve completely transformed the way I manage my money.
The results? Less stress, more savings, and the freedom to enjoy life without constantly worrying about finances.
If you’re ready to start your own budgeting journey or just need some advice, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help you take the first steps toward making smart money moves!