Even if you create the most ideal budget where you’re paying off debt or saving money efficiently, it doesn’t work if you can’t stick to it! And if you struggle with STICKING TO IT, you’ll remain frustrated with budgeting and may just throw in the towel altogether.
Before you do that, try these tips to stick to your budget and stay motivated when it comes to your money!
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1. Discover your “why” when it comes to your financial ambitions
First, think about what your budget will allow you to do. Pay off debt? Save money? Break the paycheck to paycheck cycle? Purchase a home one day? What is it you’re wanting to do with your money?
Once you know, dig a little deeper and think of your “why”!!
Why do you actually want the above benefits of budgeting? Less stress? The ability to fall asleep and get sound sleep at night? Less arguing with your husband about money? Put your kids through college so they don’t have to pay off student loans forever? Retire early? Leave a job you hate (or your husband’s job that he may hate) without regard to making a lower income?
Once you discover your true “why”, you will then have your biggest motivator to budgeting and sticking to it!
Your true “why” will be your biggest motivator!
When you keep your true “why” in the forefront of your mind, it will be the reason you stick to your budget even when the going gets tough.
Once you figure out your “why,” you can move on to some other ways to stick to and stay motivated with your budget. Here goes!
2. Use cash envelopes
Honestly, the easiest way to prevent overspending and blowing your budget is to use cash envelopes. For each category in your budget, take cash money out of your bank account. Put the amount for each category in a separate envelope labeled with that category. You may only use the money from that envelope to pay for those things. Not only will you feel and see the money leaving your hands, once it’s gone, it’s gone! You have to stop spending!
If for some reason cash envelopes won’t work for you, or you’re hesitant about using them, you could use a “cashless cash envelope system.” With this method, you keep a record in your wallet or purse of each budget category.
For the cashless system, use a check register (yes, banks still have those!), index cards, mini notebook or notepad, or just a blank sheet of paper folded up. Write your budgeted amount for each category and as you spend in that category, track your spending underneath it and subtract from your total budgeted amount. This must be kept up with in real-time to be most effective!
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3. Use visuals to break down your debt free payoff amounts or savings goals into smaller chunks.
Instead of looking at a $30,000 student loan bill looming in front of you, take it $500 or $1000 at a time. You’ll gain momentum and feel accomplished as you pay each chunk off.
When we were paying off my car and student loans, I used a chart similar to these at debtfreecharts.com. The free Debt Free Land chart is especially fun and motivating! They also have savings charts 😉
4. Celebrate those “chunk” milestones.
Every dollar — even every penny — you pay extra on a debt should be celebrated (within reason)!! Celebrating in some inexpensive ways that don’t throw off your money goals can keep the momentum going!
5. Surround yourself with other like-minded people for accountability.
Do you have friends who are serious about paying off debt? Who actually think budgeting is cool? Create some accountability with them!
I know it can be hard sometimes to find those rare, special people. 😉 If you’re a Christian woman desiring to steward your money better, go ahead and join the CREATED for MORE private Facebook group! This group is highly motivated to pay off debt and stick to their budgets and to do it God’s way!
I created a free bonus workbook for you just for being a part of the group! The workbook contains the secret to paying off debt even if you’re living paycheck to paycheck! (By the way, it’s also the secret to saving more and managing your money well, no matter where you are in your financial journey!)
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6. Listen and watch people who are doing what you want to do and who are where you want to be in the future.
For us, debt freedom was the ultimate goal, so our family could have options! My husband is free to live out his God-given calling as a middle school math teacher without having to worry that his smaller teacher’s salary is enough to provide for our family! I was able to cut back to 30 hours a week of work after our first son was born! I love the options debt freedom has given us!
One of the easiest ways to do this is to listen to podcasts while completing your normal everyday routines. Washing dishes, folding laundry, cooking dinner, commuting to work, carpool line, etc…all those things can be turned into money motivation time!! Two of my favorite podcasts: The Rachel Cruze Show and The Dave Ramsey Show 🙂 Hearing others’ debt free screams is truly inspiring!
Also, if you’re a reader, pick out some books to read to keep you encouraged along your budgeting journey. These financial freedom books (as well as the money kit for your kids) will keep you and your family going every step of the way.
7. Get creative with your meals
Food is probably everyone’s biggest budget buster. It’s so easy to just run through the drive-thru or go out to eat. Eating at home takes time and energy to make sure your pantry, fridge, and freezer stay stocked. Oh, and then there’s the cooking and cleaning up part 😉
But my, how much money we would save if we quit wasting our food! Feel like going out one night because you don’t want to cook? Check your fridge for leftovers! Inventory your pantry for something quick. Create your own at-home potluck. Ha! It may not be a gourmet meal, but it sure saves a ton of money when you do this over time! And then you don’t feel so guilty because you went over the food budget…again.
By the way, do you need an easy way to make cooking at home more organized and fun? Check out the meal plans with Eat at Home. Plus if you have an Instant Pot, but don’t use it yet or don’t use it enough go to online Instant Pot School for free! This is what you’ll get:
- 4 video lessons with PDF downloads
- 4 easy assignments to get you cooking
Can’t get any easier than that, right?!
Sticking to your food budget will save you so much money and keep you motivated in other budget categories as well. Happy eating and happy budgeting!
Bonus tip: Take it to the next level to help you stick to your budget and stay motivated!
This is only if you’re super duper serious about making 2020 your year to pay off debt, create and stick to your ideal family budget, and make forward progress with your money like never before. It’s called the Master Your Money Super Bundle! Knowing you easily get your money’s worth, and will quickly save what you pay for it ($49.97 for over $1200 worth of ecourses, videos, ebooks, printables, and workbooks!), it’s totally worth fitting into your budget! Purchase now before it’s gone forever!
Which tips will you use to stick to your budget and stay motivated?
Once you determine your big “why”, you can use the other hacks in this post to keep you going in your budgeting and debt-free journey.
Cash envelopes will keep you within budget the easiest, just like eating most meals at home will be the #1 way to keep that category under control. Breaking down your goals into smaller chunks and using visual charts plus small, inexpensive celebrations can keep you going!
Also, spending your time and energy with others motivated to do well with their finances will be a huge encouragement!
Remember, join the CREATED for MORE private Facebook group if you’re a Christian woman wanting to meet other like-minded ladies and help stay motivated to steward your money well!
As always, steward your money — and life — intentionally.
Heather
