Budgeting Sidekick Journal Series (Volumes 1 & 2) (2024)

Great budgeting resource, simple, but effective.

I have been more than pleased with my first purchase from Habit Nest. I have always struggled with finances because I have short-term memory loss. That and a couple of other disabilities have made trying to maintain budgeting for a family of five near impossible. I have tried many courses over the years.

I wish I could put all of the positive things about this journal into a review but it would take too long.
When I have the opportunity I am purchasing a set for both of my adult daughters. And I have a few friends in mind that would greatly benefit from these journals.

I would strongly recommend this system to anybody who struggles with any form of disability that makes budgeting complicated. I've had a number of courses recommended to me that very simply were more than my brain with some of the processing issues I have, could process.

This system has completely been transforming and very thankful for the gifts given and shared.

And I really do believe for the first time in 22 years of marriage I should have the ability to work and stay on top of a budget or work toward keeping a budget.

A few things I really like, I do not do well with online, so we purchased the physical hardbound copies. I really love the quality of the materials including the hard cover that I'm not worried about getting damaged so easily and the quality of the paper. I hope they do not change that.

I also really like the simple steps that they instruct us with and what to do as well as the advice given.
The journal is very thorough in explaining things for different personality types. They also answered one question that has always caused me trouble with budgeting -- how to budget a monthly budget when we get paid every two weeks. They explained how to do that. That is the first time anybody in any Financial course has explained how to work with that. So thank you.

Overall I think this is an excellent tool that can be used by just about anyone.

The only feedback that I would have wished for a change were two things, one is just a personal thing. I was surprised that within the monthly list there was no set list for giving or charity. I think in lieu of our worldview situation where right now we and the world are so connected globally, I think giving to people more in need than ourselves is something that should be encouraged. I would have liked to see that as one of the list items in the book, like bills and insurance. But there were blank sections so I could add it in.

The only other thing is that I would have preferred one or two pages per month to list the bills for that month, as with my family of five I just simply needed more space. I solved that by just taking another piece of paper and writing the list of bills and then tallying them up and adding them into the spot for bills. There is a place at the beginning of the journal for that kind of breakdown, but I would have preferred maybe at least one full page designated per month to listing the bills for that month. I would think one person income there would be plenty of space but we have the equivalent of a full page of bills.

I am very thankful to the people that put this together. And I sincerely hope that this company does exceedingly well. Their advice throughout the book is incredibly helpful for people learning how to build habits and in this particular book for those trying to learn how to manage a budget.

I would also emphasize using these journals for artistic souls. I am very right brained, a musician. I struggle with left brain practical skills. I would recommend this budgeting journal for any of my artist friends and will recommend this for anybody right brained that struggles to keep a checkbook.

I think this is a very simple method that can be used by those who tend toward creativity and are not so good at managing a checkbook.

Wishing Habit Nest the very best.

Thank you for all of your time and effort in the research put into this journal. I will be a continual purchaser, "Lord willing and the creek don't rise!"
😊 Thank you!

Budgeting Sidekick Journal Series (Volumes 1 & 2) (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a budget diary? ›

For example, if you get paid weekly, set up a weekly budget.
  1. Record your income. Record how much money is coming in and when. ...
  2. Add up your expenses. Regular expenses are your 'needs' - the essential items you need to pay for to live. ...
  3. Set your spending limit. ...
  4. Set your savings goal. ...
  5. Adjust your budget. ...
  6. Make budgeting easier.

What is the 2nd step of managing a budget? ›

Step 2: List Out Expenses and Categorize Them as Fixed or Variable. When it comes to managing your expenses effectively, it's essential to understand the difference between fixed and variable costs.

What is the 50/30/20 rule? ›

Do not subtract other amounts that may be withheld or automatically deducted, like health insurance or retirement contributions. Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

What is the best chart for budgeting? ›

Using a budgeting pie chart to scrutinize your expenses, rather than numbers on a spreadsheet, makes money allocations easier to interpret. A pie chart helps break down each category of where you are spending, allowing you to adjust your spending as needed.

What is a realistic budget? ›

A realistic budget starts with determining your monthly income and then calculating all of your monthly expenses. When determining income, use the amount you bring home after taxes and after any other deductions, such as child support, are taken out. Include all sources of income.

How to budget money for beginners? ›

Follow the steps below as you set up your own, personalized budget:
  1. Make a list of your values. Write down what matters to you and then put your values in order.
  2. Set your goals.
  3. Determine your income. ...
  4. Determine your expenses. ...
  5. Create your budget. ...
  6. Pay yourself first! ...
  7. Be careful with credit cards. ...
  8. Check back periodically.

What are the four 4 phases of the budget process? ›

What are the major processes involved in national government budgeting? Budgeting for the national government involves four (4) distinct processes or phases : budget preparation, budget authorization, budget execution and accountability.

How do you make a spending diary? ›

At the end of every day, go through your daily receipts and bank accounts, and then list each dollar you spent. It's important to track each expense thoroughly―like what you spent your money on, if it was a want or a need, how much it cost you, how you paid for it, why you bought it, and perhaps how it made you feel.

How do I create my own diary? ›

Once you start getting words out, they will start to flow naturally.
  1. Decide to write. First, you need to decide you want to start a diary. ...
  2. Decide what to write. ...
  3. Create a schedule. ...
  4. Set a time limit. ...
  5. Date your entries. ...
  6. Create an introductory entry. ...
  7. Act like you're writing to a trusted friend. ...
  8. Have fun!

How to make your own budget notebook? ›

How to Create a Budgeting Journal in 6 Easy Steps
  1. 1) Formatting your budgeting journal. ...
  2. 2) Know your income. ...
  3. 3) What are your fixed expenses. ...
  4. 4) Split up the money that is left, or set some aside. ...
  5. 5) Track your purchases. ...
  6. 6) Total your money spent and see how much money you saved!
Jul 5, 2023

How do you write expenses in a diary? ›

Every time money leaves you, write down the date, the exact amount, and the expense category. Plan to record your transactions for at least a month. If you carry around a little notebook or smartphone, you can log your transactions as they happen.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6546

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.