How to Make a Budget That Actually Works for You
Summary
TLDRIn this insightful episode, the host emphasizes the importance of budgeting, especially for those with irregular incomes. She introduces the 'Baby Steps' for financial health and recommends tools like 'Every Dollar' to track expenses. The episode features a couple's journey in overcoming financial challenges through consistent budgeting, highlighting the transition from feeling trapped to gaining control over their finances. The discussion underscores the value of teamwork and planning in achieving financial goals and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Takeaways
- π Start with a bang: The speaker encourages viewers to start the year with a plan, emphasizing the importance of budgeting for financial success.
- π° Baby Steps: The script introduces 'Baby Steps,' a seven-step plan for financial management, ranging from building an emergency fund to building wealth and generosity.
- π« Budgeting Together: It's crucial to get your spouse or partner on board with budgeting, as it involves mutual commitment and understanding.
- π’ Budget Basics: The essence of budgeting is ensuring that your monthly income minus expenses equals zero, with every dollar assigned to a specific category.
- π Tracking Expenses: Keeping track of where your money goes is essential for creating an effective budget and making necessary adjustments.
- π Overcoming Challenges: The script acknowledges that budgeting can be challenging, especially with irregular incomes, but perseverance leads to financial control and peace of mind.
- π‘ Mindset Shift: A budget is not just about cutting expenses but gaining control over your finances and making intentional financial decisions.
- π₯ Team Effort: Budgeting works best as a team effort, with both partners contributing to the financial plan and supporting each other.
- π± Budgeting Tools: The use of budgeting apps, like EveryDollar, can simplify the budgeting process by connecting to bank accounts and categorizing transactions.
- π Key to Success: Consistency in budgeting is key, and over time, it becomes a habit that provides financial security and clarity.
- π― Setting Goals: Setting financial goals together as a couple can strengthen the relationship and provide a shared sense of achievement.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the episode discussed in the transcript?
-The main focus of the episode is on creating and effectively using a budget to manage personal finances, with a specific emphasis on helping those with irregular incomes.
What are the 'Baby Steps' mentioned in the transcript and what do they entail?
-The 'Baby Steps' are a financial plan consisting of seven steps: 1) Starter emergency fund of $1,000, 2) Paying off all debt except the house using the debt snowball method, 3) Building a 3-6 month emergency fund, 4) Saving 15% of income for retirement, 5) Funding children's college, 6) Paying off the house early, and 7) Building wealth and being generous.
How does the speaker describe the difference between her and her spouse's approach to budgeting?
-The speaker describes herself as a 'free spirit' who was initially more of a spender and less interested in budgeting, while her spouse is a 'nerd' who loves organizing, details, and enjoys the process of budgeting.
What is the recommended approach for someone with an irregular income when creating a budget?
-For someone with an irregular income, the recommended approach is to project income as closely as possible, consider known upcoming payments, and use a miscellaneous category for unexpected expenses. It may take a few months to get a footing and adjust the budget accordingly.
What is the significance of the 'Every Dollar' app mentioned in the transcript?
-The 'Every Dollar' app is significant as it helps users connect their bank accounts and automatically categorize transactions, making the budgeting process easier and more visual, which is particularly helpful for those who find budgeting overwhelming.
What is the importance of having a miscellaneous category in a budget?
-A miscellaneous category in a budget is important as it serves as a catch-all for unexpected or irregular expenses that don't fit into regular budget categories, providing flexibility and preventing overspending in other areas.
How does the speaker suggest getting a spouse on board with budgeting?
-The speaker suggests getting a spouse on board with budgeting by showing them the numbers, emphasizing that a budget gives freedom and control over spending, and assuring that there will be grace and a team effort in the budgeting process.
What is the role of term life insurance in the financial plan discussed in the transcript?
-Term life insurance is recommended as a cost-effective way to protect one's family, with the speaker suggesting it over whole life insurance due to the significant cost difference, allowing more money to be allocated towards paying off debt and funding emergency funds.
What is the mindset shift suggested for those living paycheck to paycheck?
-The mindset shift suggested for those living paycheck to paycheck is to start thinking ahead and living a month ahead, which requires having some money in the bank to cover expenses and plan for the upcoming month's needs.
How does the speaker describe the feeling of budgeting after consistently doing it for a long time?
-The speaker describes the feeling of budgeting after consistently doing it for a long time as satisfying and integral to their financial management, emphasizing the sense of control and safety it provides.
Outlines
π Introduction to Budgeting for the New Year
The video script opens with a discussion on the importance of budgeting, highlighting that 60% of Americans do not budget and emphasizes the need to start the new year with financial organization. The host, Rachel, shares her journey of creating a budget that works, especially for those with irregular incomes. She introduces the 'Baby Steps' financial plan, which consists of sevenζεΊsteps designed to help viewers manage their finances, from establishing an emergency fund to building wealth and being generous. The script also touches on the psychological aspects of budgeting, explaining how it can be challenging to get started but ultimately rewarding.
π« Balancing Budgeting with Spouse's Different Attitudes
This paragraph delves into the personal aspect of budgeting, describing the dynamic between 'nerds' who enjoy budgeting and 'free spirits' who may initially resist it. Rachel shares her own experience, being a 'free spirit' married to a 'nerd' who loves budgeting. She provides advice on how to get a reluctant spouse on board with budgeting, emphasizing that a budget provides freedom by allowing for intentional spending. The paragraph also discusses the importance of grace and patience when introducing a budget to a partner who may not be as financially organized.
π‘ The Importance of Life Insurance in Financial Planning
The script shifts focus to the importance of life insurance as part of a comprehensive financial plan. Rachel recommends term insurance over whole life insurance due to its cost-effectiveness. She provides an example of the cost difference for a 30-year-old male and mentions ER insurance as a trusted provider that can help find the best insurance options tailored to individual needs.
π’ The Basics of Budgeting: Simple Math and Assignment of Funds
The paragraph simplifies the budgeting process to basic math: monthly income minus expenses should equal zero. It acknowledges the challenge of budgeting, especially for those with varying incomes, and suggests using tools like the 'Every Dollar' app to track and categorize expenses. The script provides a step-by-step approach to creating a budget, from determining monthly income to listing and averaging expenses over the past few months. It also addresses common issues like unexpected costs and the need for a miscellaneous category to accommodate them.
π§ Overcoming Challenges in Budgeting with Irregular Income
This section addresses the specific difficulties faced by individuals with inconsistent incomes, such as freelancers. It discusses the need for a mindset shift towards planning ahead and living a month ahead financially. The paragraph provides insights into how to adjust to income fluctuations and the importance of having a financial cushion for slow months. It also touches on the psychological impact of budgeting and the necessity of making sacrifices to align spending with income.
π Couple's Testimonial on Budgeting with Inconsistent Income
The script features a testimonial from a couple who successfully implemented a budget despite their inconsistent income. They share their initial struggles, the process of getting on the same page, and the eventual benefits of budgeting. The couple discusses the importance of teamwork, using resources like the 'Every Dollar' app, and the peace of mind that comes from having control over their finances. Their story serves as an inspiration and a practical guide for others facing similar challenges.
π Tools and Tips for Budgeting with Irregular Income
The final paragraph offers practical advice for those with inconsistent incomes, emphasizing the importance of tracking expenses and making necessary lifestyle adjustments. It suggests projecting income as accurately as possible and prioritizing essential expenses. The paragraph also highlights the value of having a support system and using tools like the 'Every Dollar' app to facilitate the budgeting process. It concludes with a reminder of the peace and control that come from sticking to a budget, even during challenging months.
π Conclusion and Encouragement for Budgeting Success
The script concludes with a summary of the key points discussed in the video, including the importance of budgeting, the use of tools like the 'Every Dollar' app, and the transformative effects of budgeting on financial health and marital harmony. Rachel encourages viewers to subscribe to her show and podcast for more financial advice and reiterates the message that budgeting leads to a more controlled and fulfilling life.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Budget
π‘Baby Steps
π‘Emergency Fund
π‘Debt Snowball
π‘Irregular Income
π‘Zero-Based Budgeting
π‘Miscellaneous Category
π‘Every Dollar App
π‘Term Life Insurance
π‘Financial Peace University
π‘Consistency
Highlights
60% of Americans don't budget, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue.
The start of a new year is an opportune time to begin budgeting and setting financial goals.
The Baby Steps are a proven plan with seven steps to help achieve financial goals.
Creating a budget that works involves assigning every dollar to a category.
The importance of getting a spouse on board with budgeting for a successful financial plan.
A budget does not limit freedom but rather provides it by allowing intentional spending.
The need for grace and patience when discussing budgeting with a free-spirited partner.
The simplicity of budgeting is described as fifth-grade math, where income minus expenses equals zero.
The use of the EveryDollar app to simplify the budgeting process by connecting to bank accounts.
Adjusting to budgeting with an irregular income by planning ahead and using a miscellaneous category.
The challenge of living paycheck to paycheck and the mindset shift required for successful budgeting.
The reality check a budget provides, which may lead to necessary lifestyle adjustments.
The long-term benefits of budgeting, even for those with inconsistent incomes.
The story of a couple who overcame initial budgeting challenges to gain financial control and peace of mind.
The importance of tracking expenses and making necessary lifestyle changes for better financial health.
The collective effort required in budgeting, especially when income is inconsistent.
The positive impact of budgeting on a couple's relationship and financial stability.
Transcripts
did you know 60% of Americans don't
budgets it's time to fix that so in this
episode we're going to talk about how to
make a budget work for you
[Music]
all right
it's 2020 I cannot believe it the start
of a new year now remember I shot some
of these videos before I went on
maternity leave so yes I am still
pregnant but when you look back and
reflect over the last year I don't know
about you but it flew by and I feel like
I didn't get everything done last year I
wanted to get done so to start out 2020
I want us to all start out with the bang
and hit the ground running so if you're
like most people you're trying to get
your money in order so in this episode
we're gonna go back to the basics I'm
gonna show you how to create a budget
that actually works for you and I'm
gonna bring a couple on to talk about
how they budget on an irregular income
which is a huge problem for a lot of
people now when you look at people's top
New Year's resolutions paying off debt
and saving money is always at the top
and here's the good news we have a
proven plan to help you achieve those
goals
so if you follow our plan at all you
probably are familiar with the baby
steps for those of you that are not
familiar there are seven steps that you
do in order with your money so really
quickly baby step one is a starter
thousand-dollar emergency fund baby step
two is paying off all of your debt but
your house using the debt snowball baby
step three is saving three to six months
worth of expenses a huge emergency funds
baby step four is saving fifteen percent
of your income into retirement baby step
5 is funding kids college baby step six
is paying off the house early and then
baby step seven is building wealth and
being extremely generous so those steps
in that order now it can seem
overwhelming but again you just start
with the first baby step but the
beautiful thing is no matter where you
are on the baby steps you have got two
budgets
[Music]
all right the budget is great the budget
is awesome I love the budgets and you
may be watching this video and you're
thinking yes I agree with you Rachel but
my spouse I have to get them on board
listen I get that because Winston
actually had to get me on board to do
the budgets because here's the thing you
marry your opposite and so Winston in
our relationship is actually the nerd
he's the one that loves doing the budget
he loves to be organized he loves
details he can like get in it and
analyze it and loves it and I'm more the
free spirit
where I'm like listen it's all gonna
work out let's just have some fun and
I'm a spender on top of that so it's
gonna be fine don't worry about it so
that that's all good and dandy when
you're on a budget you have boundaries
and restrictions and you're mature and
you like take it seriously which I am
now but ten years ago that was not
always the case
and so getting your spouse on board is
huge so let me just say out there for
all of you nerds that are watching this
video and again you nerds love doing the
budget so I'm not worried about you
doing the budget because you're probably
already budgeting but when you're
talking to your free spirits a couple of
things to remember tell them that a
budget does not limit their freedom a
budget gives them freedom in fact a
budget gives you permission to spend and
you actually get to say hey this is
where we want to spend our money because
you get to create your budget you get to
decide where do you want your money to
go and so that's the beautiful thing now
will there be sacrifices and boundaries
and limits involved possibly yes
depending on where you are financially
but when the free spirit sees the
numbers down on paper or visually
wherever that is it's going to help them
see it and tell them hey we're gonna
have a lot of grace in this conversation
cuz you nerds out there watching I'm
sorry sometimes you're just being real
followers and you don't give us a lot of
grace and so you have to chill nerds
chill a little bit and tell your free
spirit listen this is not gonna be a
perfect process but let's work on it
together so free spirits and nerds
night the beautiful thing when it
happens
and it is possible I'm telling you it
all right coming up next let's talk
about how to actually do the budget
[Music]
family is one of the most important
parts of my life and making sure
everyone is taken care of is a top
priority that includes more than just
meal planning entertaining the kids and
taking care of all the day-to-day needs
that's why I recommends having life
insurance now when you're shopping for
it you might wonder should I get term
life insurance for whole life insurance
I always recommend term insurance it's
going to save you tons of money that you
can put towards paying off your debt and
funding your emergency fund for a
30-year old male a 20-year $250,000
policy would cost us $15 a month for
term life however the same policy for
whole life would be a hundred and ninety
dollars per month that is a huge
difference Winston and I used and ER
insurance they do all the work for you
by finding you the best prices and
options customized to your needs to
learn more call Xander today or go to
Xandar comm because that's who we trust
to take care of our family
all right simple budget you guys this is
all it is are you ready for this fifth
grade math your monthly income minus all
of your expenses should equal zero so
every dollar coming in is assigned to a
category now that's easier said than
done okay because here's the deal
there's a lot of moving parts and if
you've never done a budget before it's
gonna be very very overwhelming so the
first thing you have to do is figure out
what do you make a month some people
it's different every month so we'll talk
about that later on in the episode but
for most of you it's like okay yeah
here's your salary you know exactly what
you're going to make so dig in and
figure it out after taxes this is
take-home K what are you bringing in the
door every month figure out the number
and then you're going to list out all of
your expenses so this is everything from
rent or your mortgage to food groceries
restaurants your cell phone your
insurance pet care like I mean anything
that you spend money on list it out and
then put dollar amounts like say each of
those categories now your first month
doing a budget go back and look the last
like three months and just kind of
average out okay here's kind of what
we're spending on food here's kind of
what you know this is what our insurance
payment looks like just get a ballpark
to at least get some numbers down and
then what you may realize as well we're
spending a lot of money because we have
not been purposeful which means you're
gonna adjust some of those categories
which is totally fine for that first
month but again your goal is that income
minus all the expenses will equal zero
every dollar has a name okay and so
stick with this because every month is
gonna look different so I'm telling you
you have to put it though visually
somewhere this can be on a sheet of
paper or you could use every dollar
which is our budgeting app and it's
amazing seriously I love every dollar
every dollar plus connects to your bank
account so when you swipe your debit
card automatically those transactions
come in the app and you can drag and
drop them into the correct categories or
if you're taking cash out of the bank
then that'll come up you know be like
okay yes
you know $200 went to food here and you
can break it out and oh it's it is like
I'm telling you as a free spirit even
though I'm a free spirit it's one of the
most satisfying things in the world when
you see that little bubble pop up and
they every dollar up and you get to drag
and drop and it does the math for
then I start subtracting your carries
you do the math I mean it is
unbelievable it won't change your
budgeting game so download every dollar
do your first budget and the great thing
is here at Ramsey solutions we have
solutions for you we help you so even
within the app we have so much there to
talk about how to do the budget so dig
in there look and see because this is
huge now a budget can get complicated
because there are a lot of problems that
people come up with so one problem I
hear a lot is well Rachel every month is
different so I really can't plan ahead
I'm sorry yes it is different welcome to
the world yes everyone's month is
different guys like Bette is life and so
what you do is you do the best you can
you look ahead and say okay we're going
on vacation so we're gonna put Nala our
dog you know at the vet for seven days
how much is that gonna cost room put
that in every dollar I mean you have to
actually take the time and intentionally
look ahead now are there things that are
gonna come up throughout the month that
you forget about yes that's why we have
a miscellaneous category mm-hmm your
nieces birthday comes up and you forgot
it's a princess tea party and you need a
gift
thank you miscellaneous category just
put it in there right I mean like it's
all there for you that's your catch-all
guy now if you notice that your
catch-all things keep being the same
thing that means you need a budget for
those that needs to be its own category
then so it's gonna take some time but
yes you have to plan ahead and if it's
your first time budgeting it's gonna
take 90 days for your budgets work
give yourself some grace figure out what
your months look like and just say okay
this is what we're doing now another
problem I see is that people that are
living paycheck to paycheck and they're
using their credit cards to pay for
bills may not have enough money in their
bank accounts to plan for the month
ahead so this is gonna take a mindset
shift okay if this is you because you've
been functioning in the past you've been
functioning up say okay I mean paying
bills on things that have already
happened in the past but what you have
to do is you have to be thinking ahead
which means yes you are gonna have to
have some money in the bank
in order to live this way because you're
basically living a month ahead so your
paycheck comes on the 31st or the first
take that amount say okay this is what I
have until my next paycheck and cash
flow as much as possible and maybe you
take a month between now and doing your
first budget and just save as much as
you can to have some buffer there now if
you find that you cannot get ahead
financially then you're gonna look and
say okay maybe I have an income problem
versus a budgeting problem and you may
have future income up which is really
hard but in the moment it's gonna be so
worth it because you're able to function
that month ahead by doing the zero based
budgets
another problem I see people have is
that a budget is just defeating like
doing a budget they just it's just so
hard every single month and I do see
people with this because it's a draining
process because they're not making
progress it's like a budget is not
exciting and fun because what it is it's
revealing the problems that they have
and so the problem may be that their
income is too low or their lifestyle is
just too high and so there's gonna have
to be some adjustment there it's kind of
this reality check is what a budget is
for some people where they say wow we
really have been living way beyond our
means and so we're gonna have to be
uncomfortable for a while and sacrifice
our lifestyle things we're not used to
sacrificing in order to get this correct
because listen we're not in Congress
like we can't just keep spending money
you guys like we have an income a set
income every single month each of us
does you have to budget within that and
that's how you're gonna get ahead
financially you will never be able to
live above your means and win over the
long term it's just not gonna happen and
so it's a hard reality but I'm telling
you once you get the budget under
control and you say oh wow our income is
absolutely funding the lifestyle that we
have now then you start to gain traction
you start to gain control but a budget
isn't easy I'll be the first to a minute
it can be really hard but the beautiful
thing is the more you do it and the more
consistent you are it becomes a habit in
me I can't believe I'm saying it but ten
years after doing a budget consistently
the free spirit I don't know what I
would do without a budget I'm not gonna
lie to you my bank account did not
connect to every dollar for about two
days two days ago and I could not track
transactions and I was like I don't know
what's happening what's happening
that would never have been made 10 years
ago you guys that's me doing a bunch of
every single month it becomes a part of
who you are and there's such safety in
it I'm telling you the best way to get
ahead financially is to be intentional
all right coming up next is a couple who
had a tough time with budgeting but they
stuck with it and they're gonna share
their inspiring story I felt trapped
like I had no say in where our money was
going I mean I just felt kind of
oblivious you know we get toward the end
of the month and I'd be like why do we
only have hundred bucks in our bank
account
[Music]
I've always been budget conscious I've
always been aware of the finances I've
always sort of managed the finances and
it was easier to just do it and not talk
about it and avoid any potential fight
so it was just manage it and move on
I was just finally so fed up and we had
started communicating better about it I
think we both knew that a change had to
be made but I think I was a little more
reluctant it's not that I didn't want to
budget or to make a difference it's just
like at the time I really didn't think
it was necessary
but once we both got on the same kind of
same track it really sort of opened open
the door for us our income can vary up
to $7,000 a month and that's crazy to
try to manage you can't just say what's
my annual gross and divide it by 12 and
then live that way it just doesn't work
with our inconsistent income it felt
like we can't do anything about it this
month we can't we don't have the income
so we're gonna charge it and then we're
gonna deal with it when the income comes
in it took us a few months to figure it
out and I mean the whole budget was
completely crazy like it was not even
close to where it needed to be I had no
concept of what we were spending where
but we didn't add to death that month
and that was such a huge win for month
one once you change your your mindset or
your even your collective mindset and
you really look at this is like not that
you're losing something but that you're
you're gaining something much bigger
which is like this peace of mind it's a
complete game-changer
now that we're budgeting I really feel
more in control it's done wonders for
our relationship and for our pocketbook
too even though we have an inconsistent
income I feel free I feel like I have
control over where my money is going and
it honestly feels like we have more
money to spend because we're telling our
money where to go
thank you guys so much for coming on
really appreciate it so when we talk
about budgeting it is a tough topic
anyways but you add in consistent income
on top of it and it's really difficult
doesn't it really difficult yes so I'm
in that boat you guys are in that boat
so let's talk about it
yeah you guys start a budgeting so I'm
curious just what made you start
budgeting in general so we've always
been aware of how we should handle our
money but our most recent get serious
moment just came from looking at the
numbers and being like we're done
like we're not where we're gonna buckle
down on this again and we're gonna make
it happen
yes cuz we've been debt-free but then it
all came back so yeah yeah you come back
so and so you looked and you said okay
we're done young we have to get out
again and the budget is like the main
tool right yeah help us do it so when
you started budgeting again did you feel
the freedom come not at first it's hard
at first you fall into the normal traps
of well with my income I can't make this
budget because this month is a slow
month that I don't even have enough for
the four walls but if you look big
picture and after a few months it
started to fall into place yes okay so
what was the biggest hurdle would you
say when it comes to having an
inconsistent income and budgeting I mean
it's all like the big changes that have
to come like all the small you know no
coffee trips in the morning just like
all the small little lifestyle changes
they tend to be a little annoying at
first yeah and then but I mean I think
when you really start to work at it as
like a team and focus like hey we're
doing this together this is you know
we're making all these big changes now
so that we can make bigger cooler
awesome changes later on and just get
our family in a more financially healthy
position totally yes so when you start
budgeting and you realize okay then
consistent income it's a real thing
numbers are changing every month we
don't know how to predict it and it is
hard how many months would you say it
took to kind of get a footing and kind
of get your groove I would say probably
about three okay um and I don't think we
could have done it if we didn't like
have all of the
sources that we had and supportive
people around us to help us do it yes so
what resources were those homes we
started with your 14 day challenge oh
yes the 14 a money fine there it was and
that gave us enough to create like a
little bump so that was great getting us
rolling and then we got the every dollar
app got it upgraded and that has been
super useful because before that I was
literally writing down everything like
writing it down from our basic it was
ridiculous yeah it's hard right you see
the convenience of like oh this happen
so great yes
so I know for I can speak for Winston on
myself because we do this and it's like
some months you're like oh man it's just
lower than you're expecting you have to
go in change the numbers so months it's
bigger and you're like oh that's nice
yeah like those months so do you still
feel that that you have to change it
month to month
because of not just life changes within
your expenses but also because of your
inconsistent income yeah yeah I
definitely think we make we have to make
a lot of changes and be very aware of
not just like what is in this month but
what do we have like three or four
months down the road do we have to
prepare for like you know yeah and with
the income fluctuating it's it's a it's
a challenge yeah so tell so people that
are watching okay so how are you doing
yeah what would you say like whatever
any tips like you look yeah I'm gonna
just project as close as I can of what I
think we're gonna make very money we
know is coming okay because sometimes we
have freelance jobs or commissions that
we know are gonna come in at certain
times and so those are projected out and
then I look forward on the assumption of
okay there will be more there will be
stuff that we don't know of yet you know
so it's more of like saying these are
the things that are necessary these are
the things that come next if it comes in
and if not we roll them to next month
and then these are the things that come
after that and we're in baby step two so
then everything else goes to debt yes so
the things that are necessary yeah I'm
watching it's what we called the four
walls image not earlier so food shelter
utilities and transportation but some
months still it's not even enough for
the four walls it's important that I
have that
the little bit of bump already in our
checking account so that I'm not going
all the way back into our emergency fund
or something in the event that we have a
slow month yeah I think that's a great
point because on those slower months you
know you have to be able to make sure
your bills are paid so you have to have
that cushion so on the months that are
good yeah setting some of that money
aside and making sure you have that
cushion is such like that's such a pro
tip yeah okay so someone watching
they've never budgeted before oh and
they're thinking okay how do you start
it maybe they do freelance work I mean
they they're they're you know income is
so inconsistent like what's the number
one thing you would say you have to do
this track your expenses because when
you see where your money's going you
change where your money's going like
when you see that you're spending too
much money at chick-fil-a you say okay
we need to make chick-fil-a an occasion
situation and not a convenient situation
or you said okay I need to start making
my coffee at home instead of stopping at
the gas station or the Starbucks every
day it's liberating to have this feeling
of control mm-hmm over what like with
all of the the income that we just don't
know there's just there's this feeling
of helplessness sometimes especially
when you get in those low months and
just being able to grab some of that
control back and being like this is not
gonna change my mood I'm not gonna you
know we're not gonna argue we're over
money like you know understanding that
you're not telling me that I can't have
coffee in the morning you're just like
showing me that two dollars every couple
of days you know 52 weeks out of the
year like that that adds up to a lot of
money over time and seeing that I've
been doing it for four or five years I'm
like that's that's a vacation at the end
of the day or you know something
important that we need to buy school
supplies whatever but I mean it's got to
be a team it's gotta be a team effort I
love that and there's usually one spouse
that's not always on board but I get
that question all the time how do I get
my spouse on board yeah and you did one
of the things I always tell the spouse
that is on board usually the nerd you
know is to run the numbers and like to
visually be able to see that this is
what's happening so would you say that
helped you a ton for sure
100% I mean being able to see the
numbers and they may have done some
floating and stuff like that but like
when you see the colors help you know
she put deficits in red I understand
colors you know as a illustrator artists
I'm like this makes sense to me there's
a lot more red on here than there is
green so that's you know what saying
those those three months of getting
lined up getting on the same page was a
big part of that yes and so how does
that changed your marriage in general
oh it's so much more peaceful I mean
everybody fights about money it's the
number one what marital dispute is money
yeah so I mean that's that's been huge
yeah and it the achievements are our
achievements their wins together and
that feels good I love that working
towards a goal and it sounds cheesy like
set a goal together but truly when you
are and you hit it it's like we took
that yeah we did that as a team yeah you
guys you are like it is it's amazing
it's amazing just seeing people that
stick to the plan they do it persevere
even when it's hard yeah and there's
months that it's like what and the heck
are we doing but you stick with it
because at the end of the day you're
getting that piece you're getting that
control and ultimately you guys together
alright have a stronger marriage because
of it yeah yeah you're like a living
testimony to its really amazing
seriously thank you so much for coming
on it's like it's just filled with hope
and you're doing exactly what you should
be doing and I love it and I'm glad
you're getting the wins that's the best
words all right you guys we mentioned it
like eight times in there but it's true
every dollar plus if you've not checked
out that app make sure you do that now
if you sign up for or Financial Peace
University you actually get the app for
free so make sure you do that cuz it's
gonna help your budgeting journey be so
much smoother
[Music]
man I love that Sarah and Cory is stuck
with it and got their money under
control and they figured out how to make
their budget work now if you have an
irregular or inconsistent income I have
a worksheet in the show notes that will
help you budget for it now don't forget
to subscribe to the show and to my
podcast just search the Rachael Cruz
show I hope you guys found this episode
helpful because once you get budgeting
down everything else works so much
better as always remember and take
control of your money and create a life
you love
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