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Welcome to iHeartBudgets! First thing’s first, if you haven’t already, grab your FREE copy of our budget template so you can start on your journey to financial freedom! You’ll get a copy of the spreadsheet we use, as well as access to our exclusive iHeartBudgets newsletter for tips and trick son managing your money and keeping more of it!
Tons of you have recently downloaded this spreadsheet, and I have received a few questions on how to use it. Instead of emailing everyone back individually, I decided to put together a video tutorial walking through each section of the budget and how to use it most effectively. Check it out below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFLVuaovXPk
To use this budget most effectively, make sure you read through the Budgeting Basics Series. This will help set your money mindset and get your started on the right path.
Please USE THIS VIDEO. Don’t just watch it and do nothing. Watch it and TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK! Plan on sitting down and going through this budgeting exercise so that you can start “telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went!” – Dave Ramsey.
Thanks for watching, and please let me know if you have any questions or run into any issues.
Comments: Have any of your out there used this spreadsheet already? Would love to hear from you! And if you haven’t, what are you currently using for your monthly budget? I want to hear about your favorite ways to manage money!
Nice video! You’re getting really fancy over here.
Darn right! Hoping to make a few more helpful videos like this, because talking about budgets is one thing, showing people how they work in reality is another!
OK, here I go! I have never done a formal budget before but we need it now. I am the saver and my husband is oblivious to his spending habits. I think this will help us have some crucial conversations about money without making him feel like I am ganging up on him. We both need to fully understand where our money is going and how we can maintain some control. I messed up my first attempt at the spreadsheet but I reviewed the video again, know what I did wrong, and will start over with my ideas. You’re right, it will probably take a few months before patterns start to emerge.
Victoria, this is going to be something you look back on and say “how did we live without this?!” 😀
Getting on a budget AND STICKING TO IT is not easy, but worth it.
I recommend getting the spreadsheet filled out, but make sure it’s realistic. For example, don’t cut your food budget in half to see if you can do it. Start by finding out how much you actually spend first (download credit card and bank statements, list all spending into categories to see where the money is typically spent). Once you have a baseline, then build the budget and find one or two areas you can cut down or cut out. Slowly ratchet it down as you feel comfortable.
Remember, financial health is a marathon, not a sprint.
You got this! 🙂
For a more detailed plan, check out my Budgeting Basic HERE