Breaking Down My Budget: March Money Update!

I am so excited to have Ryen back for this March budget recap! The last time we showed Ryen's budget, she was one year away from being debt-free. She shares where she is now!
I show my "Where Did My Money Go?" worksheets and discuss my $8,000+ expense in March!
CHAPTERS
00:00 Budget & Life Update With Ryen
27:25 Miko's Paycheck Budget Tracker
29:14 Miko's Budget Category Breakdown
34:02 Miko's Investment & Savings Breakdown
38:08 Miko's Spending Comparison
39:54 Meal Plan
40:39 Conclusion
➡️ HOW I TRACK MY SPENDING: bit.ly/3aIe89I
➡️ HOW TO USE A BUDGET CALENDAR: bit.ly/2IzF2Vj
➡️ FINDING YOUR WHY: bit.ly/3aJUryj
➡️ THE BUDGET MOM'S FINANCIAL FREEDOM STEPS: bit.ly/3cfJXsp
➡️ HOW TO GET STARTED WITH THE CASH ENVELOPE METHOD: bit.ly/2vQJaO5
➡️ HOW TO CREATE A PLAN OF ATTACK TO PAY OFF DEBT: bit.ly/2wDETxF
ABOUT ME
I'm the blogger behind www.thebudgetmom.com. I have a rambunctious ten-year-old son, live in Washington, and I'm passionate about helping people with money management and personal finance. Let me know what you like to learn more about! Leave me comments and suggestions on my video and let me know!
YOU CAN FIND ME AT:
📝 BLOG: www.thebudgetmom.com
📘 FACEBOOK: / thebudgetmom
📸 INSTAGRAM: / thebudgetmom
📌 PINTEREST: / thebudgetmom
GET STARTED
➡️Start Here: www.thebudgetmom.com/start-here/
➡️Free Email Course: bit.ly/2UYgNFf
➡️Free Resources: bit.ly/2PDmTHz
➡️GET 10% OFF my popular Budget-by-Paycheck Workbook - Coupon Code TBMKZbin bit.ly/2CR7U9n
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[@andreamaresh6958]

It is really nice to have Ryen back! There is a nice back-and-forth dynamic when you both are on. Also, Ryen, I agree. It is a responsible and self-aware thing to say "I don’t want kids." You are an amazing aunt - kudos on that!

[@OGGgirl]

I made that decision years ago, and have no regrets - I am auntie and grandma to several kids, so it is all good.

[@Conniecricket]

Yay, missed Ryan. Please bring her in at least monthly. Love to see how she’s growing in her confidence being on here.

[@lauragokey9109]

We need more Ryen!! So glad to see you both back in action.

[@FaithBudgets]

Yay!! Ryan is back and Debt Free!! Congratulations 🎉Ryen🎉. So excited y’all are back on KZbin. I have been using the budget by paycheck method since 2018 and only have 1 debt of 15,000 left. In the home stretch now. Thank you Miko for all your guidance. I have watched ever single one of your KZbin videos ( some multiple times) Love you guys❤

[@minimalmiss]

Y'all can do a podcast 🎉. I really enjoyed you guys talking life/money

[@2babe6]

That we’ll be awesome a podcast from the budget mom

[@Loraleijean]

My son has 3 kids, and I adore them. My daughter and her husband do not want kids. I support whatever will make my kids happy.

[@lyndalavonbudgets]

Congratulations Ryen!!!🎉 you are such a strong and amazing aunt mommy!!! She is so blessed to have you ❤

[@williamwarren9448]

It takes a wonderful heart to take on someone else’s child … you and yours have family everywhere .. there is unity in love and sharing love ❤️ Glenda

[@pollydolly9723]

Ryen! So over-the-moon for you meeting your goal of being debt-free! 🎉. We have missed your lovely face on these recaps.

[@rosamondhazell2149]

What a pleasure to see you both, Ryen so glad to see you. Miko I’m going to hold you to seeing you and Ryen every so often. ❤️It felt like part of my family was back ❤️

[@Myster1029]

It is so nice to see Ryen - have missed her on the videos - it was great to catch up on what she has had going on . A friend and her new husband made a choice to not have kids. They had many negative comments on that decision - it is a responsible choice to make! .

[@yvonnecaporgno1537]

Saving for “wanted” purchases is how it always used to be! Until the banks “granted”us the ability to purchase ahead of time. When you see it as the trick it is, for them to gain interest and fees from the merchants, so that you can have it NOW instead of working/saving for it, you have a different mindset! Hard to transition for sure! The temptation is real!

[@libbysworld7649]

Clicked so fast. I have missed you both, but most recently Ryen! SO HAPPY you're debt free now! Congratulations!

[@KendraDJW]

Congratulations Ryen🎉 It was great seeing you!

[@shaneangieriggle5104]

RYEN IS DEBT FREE!!!! WAY TO GO GIRL!!!!

[@ShelleyLockwood]

Nice to see you and Ryan chatting about life and budgeting. Hope monthly budgeting is going to be on the calendar again!😊😊

[@pattikelly6705]

My deepest condolences Miko…. Congratulations Ryan on becoming debt free! Congratulations Miko on your baby!!!! My best to you both!!

[@deeparsons3576]

It's great seeing the both of you together! I've missed this so much! Congratulations Ryen on your debt free journey! 🎉

[@TheBeautyofLife101]

So happy Ryen is back much more approachable budget for sure but love you both!!!

[@suzyvaughan7672]

I was just wondering about Ryen this morning! So glad to see her here again

[@OGGgirl]

Great to see Ryan again! Congrats on being debt-free!!! WOOHOOO

[@mrsbs7146]

YAY Ryen!!!!! So glad to see her!!!

[@noracantu2112]

You two compliment each other so we'll. Very nice to see you

[@kori8455]

I’m a 37 year old female in the southeast part of the US and am yelling AMEN about how not wanting children is an unpopular opinion! I’ve battled it my entire life for all of the above demographics and am exhausted with having to justify it. People always expected me to change my mind. Even as a kid, I never envisioned my future having kids in it. I always saw myself experiencing life and having a career. While I didn’t have my career path figured out early on, I’m glad I’ve always known that I didn’t want to be a parent. However, if it did ever happen, I would pour myself into it 100%. There’s such a stigma surrounding women that don’t want children regardless of the reason. Hopefully culture will become more accepting of that going forward.

[@erink3105]

so glad to see Ryen back!!!!

[@amandacourtney8143]

Delighted to see you both back and Ryan it was amazing to here what has happened in the last year and your brother is so luckily to you helping in raising his daughter. You are an inspiration ❤❤ and by God I know how kids effect your budget and how unexpected things pop up, you just have to roll with it .

[@donnajeansteele4863]

I have the scarcity mindset due to money trauma growing up. I am also okay sitting in this place and i agree 100%

[@heathermoreland6015]

Hi Ryan, I’m also an Army brat and I totally understand not having a home or a hometown. So take sometime and get to know what your dreams are and make your home where you want it to be. Your journey is inspiring so thank you for sharing. 😊

[@sharonscott5727]

Great to see Ryen; she’s going to love being debt free 😊. Love your budget recaps. I’ve started using the Where Did My Money Go worksheets - trends are there in multicolor.

[@cherish8821]

Hooray Ryen is back 🎉 Love to see both of you 🥰💙

[@gracelewis4173]

Love these videos! Glad to have you both back

[@Jt-Jt]

Thank you for sharing your story Ryen!

[@faithbydesignXO]

Hello Miko and Ryen! Congrats Ryen! 🎉🎉 Great recap and thanks for the reminder about debt payoff even when life happens, consistency is key! Loving the TBM workbook, as a first timer this year!

[@WealthIsFreedomBudgets]

Miko you have no idea how happy I am that you are doing these videos. I use your budget book but have been struggling with understanding how to do the recap pages. This video was helpful. Will attempt to do March recap and see how it goes

[@julieb6680]

So great to see Ryen again. Thanks for the monthly recap. This really helps me on my debt free journey and understanding my relationship with money.

[@jeniferj]

I loved this video, i enjoyed sitting in seeing ryen back and chatting with miko!

[@user-ys7np1ux9u]

Yes, it was great to see you two together again. It's also great how you both are transparent with all that life is throwing. We need to see this so we are not thinking we are doing things all wrong. Like the need to increase the grocery budget. I hesitated for a few months and then decided like you up it and relieve the stress of trying to maintain or stay under. It may just be for a season, hopefully. Appreciate what you both are doing to help us be more financially fit.

[@jackiegirl19phillips30]

Congrats Ryan!!!

[@pr7155]

Yay soooo glad to see Ryen back!🎉

[@masmith1111]

Great to have Ryen back!! Congrats on finishing your debt-free journey!

[@SADEONTHERUN]

Great video!! So happy to see Ryen and congratulations to her becoming debt free! Wooo hooo 🎉🎉

[@wendyeroche343]

So glad to see Ryan😊

[@user-qn4ns9cd3h]

You’re BACK!

[@shaneangieriggle5104]

So happy to see you both!!

[@rachaelnuchols764]

Its ok to NOT have kids! ❤ it whatever YOU and your Husband decide. ❤ so happy you are debt free! Its ok for kids to see you cry sometimes. Very happy to see you both!

[@SeriouslySaving]

I love love love your videos. I still struggle so much with closeouts but i refuse to give up. i get better every month. I am def going to take your advice about letting it go when it doesnt add up. As long as i have a general idea of where my money goes and where i need to improve i am on the right track. You are a huge inspiration. Thank you so much!!

[@dreamweaver972]

I'd love to know what to do after becoming debt-free. (I'm super close to being debt free - except for my house.) Do I invest? What do I do with the extra money? I'd like to think I'm not the only one with these questions! Following your program has gotten me to this point - so thank you for that!

[@Kevin.Grindel]

Do you have an Emergancy fund? 3-6 month of your basic expenses put in a high yield savings account then invest 15% of your pay in a 401k if there is a match then a Roth Ira after the match

[@tracyreaume6451]

Welcome back girls, nice to see you Ryen! Congrats on being DEBT FREE! 🙌

[@MC-hn5go]

YAY sooo good to see Ryen back 👏 #moreryen 😁 Fab update guys xx

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Great vid. Thanks. So good 2c Ryen🎉

[@traceyhayden8804]

I just want to say I love my budget by paycheck workbook. I haven't used it correctly, but I am loving it and hope to learn all the potential it holds.

[@user-vj6sc8xk9w]

Glad to see Ryan and doing well debt free yay🎉. Just goes to show TBM works and educates us to budgeting and it's so individual to us all. ❤ it's ok to go and downs and it's a learning curve.

[@marlanatriggs1728]

Great video ❤

[@aliciaknight7422]

Congratulations 🎉 Ryen!!

[@ashnichole8060]

Omg hi Ryan! I'm so happy 😊!!!

[@EE-in7su]

Welcome back, Ryen! Congrats on being debt-free! Miko - the nearest Trader Joe's to my house is about 45 minutes, so I don't go there for 'healthy'; I go there for fancy snacks (decidedly not healthy) :) Your dedication to your process is inspiring; thanks for another video!

[@vmckinney4833]

Ryen!!!!! Good to see you back

[@kikiplus2282]

OMG Miko the light bulb moment when you said i was in denial that 500$ isnt working anymore. I am a single mom of 4. Shopping at aldi and we are still going over every month. Im in my transition month as well

[@foxybody1]

Congratulations Ryen!! I too can relate. I have a 15yr old nephew that’s more my son than anything. You make me realize all of his first have been with me at my home. From coming out of hospital to now taking driving lessons. And it’s expensive! I’ve had to add him in my budget cause his clothes are expensive by the inch.

[@Sarabende]

Glad to see Ryan 🥰

[@ByrdieBudgets23]

Yay!!! Ryen

[@jessm8957]

I am definitely one of those that will get stuck on my numbers not matching. It drives me nuts! 🥴😅

[@JANAA56357]

@jessm8957 yes! Same here 🙈

[@wyldmountainrose840]

Yea, Ryen is back!!!.

[@MichelleD1989]

I'm still floored that you spend $900 a month for 4 people 😮 especially with 1 under a year!

[@zelmawills8606]

Yea it was good to see RYen I made white bean soup on Thursday If you made something like that For your lunch And food for your husband and son That’s why my mum al ways had dessert after when we grew up Stews were her favourite

[@secret507]

Hi Ryan. I am so happy to see you. 😊

[@Crystal-je7gx]

Omg i couldnt click this fast enough

[@vmjjunk]

Yeahhhhh. Hi Ryannnnn. I miss you. So nice to see you !!! The dueo is back

[@karenjoseph9480]

Congratulations Ryen

[@singthescripturesmusic7243]

Azure standard can be a good option for healthier foods! Its alot of bulk buying, but they have some good sales here and there on cheeses, butter, and more!

[@dominiqueakpore330]

Yay!!!

[@tinaturull3793]

Enjoyed the video, why do you not do a monthly video to show to use TBM. I am struggling. So glad to see Ryan and can she share her budget too?

[@sharonostrowsky37]

Ryen!!! 😍

[@simone3169]

Yay ryen x

[@lilimarie326]

My go to place here in cali is sprouts..

[@ChristineWoodington]

I agree, I go to trader joes, and my cart is always organic junk food LOL

[@Kelseeye]

Been doing great with budgeting lately! But like yourself getting company coming for money they I don’t owe or realizing the bank had been gym charging an outrageous amount of interest on a line of credit. So ive been taking on any extra work to get extra money to pay it off.

[@ZimmieBudgets1025]

We are a family of 5 and we spend between 900-1200 a month. I always budget for the other end and anything I don’t spend goes into a food sinking fund as extra savings.

[@courtneyjames7849]

How do you account for the cash in your cash envelopes at the start of each month? If you are rolling over cash that you didn’t spend in the previous month, would you add it to your starting balance along with your checking account starting balance? not sure where to add that money into the monthly budget category breakdown sheet. Thank you in advance!

[@AJthecrazycatlady]

I’m with Ryen I have never wanted children but I absolutely love kids which is kinda conflicting 😂 I do have 2 nieces that I consider my “kids” who are now adults but still are mine. I recently remarried 3 years ago and he has 3 kids I went from a cat mom 😹 to a bonus mom of an 8 year old daughter, 14 & 16 year sons yep major life change.

[@AmyWatson-fy2hc]

I have a question. If I carry over cash in my cash envelopes, would I also put that in the starting balance on the “where did my money go “ work sheet?

[@JANAA56357]

@amywatson-fy2hc YES! and when you do your first paycheck budget tracker add in the income column rollover cash or the name from the category that you are rolling over 😊

[@faithsams3668]

Hi Ryen!

[@123kirmizi]

yayyy

[@WealthIsFreedomBudgets]

Can someone please explain this for me…on the where did my money go monthly debt breakdown- what is the Monthly Debt Payoff? Is this the total debt paid for the month OR the debt balance for the month?

[@thebudgetmom]

I believe you are referring to the total monthly debt payment

[@WealthIsFreedomBudgets]

@@thebudgetmom thank you.

[@robbinw2616]

You had mentioned in another video that you were going to be having a sale on the building blocks class. Do you know when that starts?

[@ShelleyLockwood]

Think I will go back to cash for groceries too. I am spending way to much money on groceries right now.

[@emilywoody8581]

You need to do a collab with frugal fit mom for your grocery budget

[@rocoosp70]

Miko, can you do some investing videos

[@jenniferyambor1760]

How do you sign up for a real life budget video?

[@latanyaneal4070]

❤ good evening how are you doing today ❤ can u do kids and new burn categories to start with first❤

[@zelmawills8606]

Also it’s good That’s RYen debt free I have been the last 7 years but no retirement money or much money Out of 5 kids last one left and l moved in with my sister and her husband Feel like a teenager in room also have my own bathroom that’s a blessing

[@kimberlyberry9453]

Wow so good to see u Ryen I see life been lifting. But ur gonna be blessed just stay for the long hall.and we are both following success just stay the course I know it will be well worth it.

[@ZimmieBudgets1025]

My husband and I have 3 girls and we have always wanted kids. My sister is the exactly opposite. She doesn’t necessarily want to get married and doesn’t want kids. She loves my girls but knows being a mom is not for her. She’s never really liked kids. But loves her nieces and the kids of her close friends and would do anything for any of them. She just doesn’t want any of her own.

[@tinaviveros5497]

I have never been in Trader Joes

[@_shannons]

So often I see budget channels where the woman of the house is paying The Entire Household budget (All the property taxes, All the rent, All the grocery, All the child care, All the toilet paper), and only sometimes, the man around "gives her" some money. Wild to me. I hope there's more equitable partnership going on behind the camera that we don't see.

[@absn3969]

Curious why you don’t like Walmart

[@WendyPatterson-zw3rl]

Is Ryen no longer your employee?

[@tinaturull3793]

Is Ryen married?

[@budgetwithale]

i truly enjoy your channel! i've been watching you for a while and i just recently made my own channel. watching you has helped me so much! 🤍