How I Budget my Paychecks | Budget With Me 🤑 | Aja Dang Budget

I'm Aja Dang and this is my Paycheck Routine. This is my routine every time I get paid: my budget technique, how I save, how much I save, etc... I've tried a few budgeting techniques (zero-based budget, cash only, etc) and have found I budget best with some money flexibility so I combined a 50/50 budget with Value-Based Spending. Not the best combo for someone still trying to fix their finances but remember, I earned my right to be financially fluid! Earlier in my financial journey, I did Cash Only system bc it was the best way to prevent overspending.
Use *my method as a guide, but make a Paycheck routine that's right for you and where you are in your journey.
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[@jerlinthangam1040]

Almost a year ago i found your channel , that changed everything ,now i am more financially stable and accomplishing all my goals .I never thought I would to be financially strong and secure , thanks Aja ❤️

[@AjaDang]

wow - I LOVE THAT! Congrats! You did all the hard work.

[@rath_ab17]

😳

[@chicivy613]

You are the only person I can listen to talking about finances. I'm playing the videos in the background to let it set into my subconscious lol thank you girl. Taking one day at a time

[@jerriandfriends]

I remember doing my googles to find women of color talking about finance in a way I understood and didn’t feel gross or patronizing to me as a young Black woman. Since finding your channel, I cannot say how grateful I am for your videos, your honesty and transparency, and your voice in this space! I found your channel going into my senior year of college and you honestly have influenced so much of my approach to finance, freelancing, and really just life as I’ve transitioned to these damned “early 20s”. Thank you for being you and for this video! I just landed my first big girl salary job and start in a week; this video is super timely! I’ve been using an adapted 50-30-20, with about 30% on expenses, 50% towards debt/savings (trying to knock out student loans + cc debt), and 20% wants

[@jordanwilliams9300]

If you haven't found this channel yet, check out Clever Girl Finance!

[@NancyLiliG]

UNRELATED: Just wanted to let you know that I've officially added YOU to my vision board for 2022! I hope that's not creepy! Want to replicate your abundance and attitude in my life. Ty for being you and shining bright!

[@Elevate_with_Joy]

I’m in South Africa and here we get our salary automatically taxed🙆🏽‍♀️I can’t imagine the pain of physically paying taxes myself😅😬

[@AjaDang]

That's the same in America as well but if you are an independent contractor like me, we have to take out our own taxes (and pay for our own health insurance). It's very painful.

[@natsasmr99]

I'm 22 and have started paying off my debt! I've been using the cash budgeting and zero-based budget system for a couple of months and I already paid off 2 of my major debts! Having a visual of where my money is going and how much I have to spend gives me flexibility but also disciplines me to prioritize those debts first and treat myself second

[@jujubeaning]

I don't know why but this video was so nostalgic for me. I started off my budgeting journey by watching your videos two years ago. Now, I'm consumer debt free and about to start my own channel. All thanks to you! Thank you 💕 Great video as always!

[@AjaDang]

good luck on your channel!

[@keelyroaart]

I love that you leave space for your creative side in the value-based planning areas you mention. Budgeting and accounting can feel so rigid and I think it takes a woman like Aja Dang to show us where we can play. Fun video, Aja. 💖

[@califlorican]

I realized a while ago that I don't enjoy tracking every single penny spent and which category it belongs to. So now I just estimate what we need, put the rest towards savings goals/sinking funds, and the rest is available to spend as we like. If we do go over, I just pull from a sinking fund and I don't make a big deal out of it. Thankfully we're at the point where we can afford this method vs. paying attention to every dollar.

[@AjaDang]

I'm the same!

[@gloriaamakaa.4587]

I agree and follow similar method, it works especially if you are disciplined.

[@DrJessicaLouie]

Great overview of your method Aja! I started with 50/30/20 and have now moved into saving 50-80% of my income on my financial independence journey. I also resonate with your house downpayment fund goal - the market is well into the 7-figure range for most areas of LA.

[@candy2325]

California is so expensive 😫 $100K Down payment here in Connecticut I would be living like a queen lol

[@Just_Jhan]

This was definitely helpful and understandable (especially because you broke everything down AND did a detailed recap at the end). Thank you!

[@lifebytama]

when you say you dont do zero based while i'm loving the zero based technique, i feel a little bit discouraged but i LOVE it when you keep saying that we dont have to 100% follow your routine because it might be not working for everyone. thanks a bunch for this!!

[@choneylhamo668]

i love how put-together you look in your videos!

[@marieobligacion8226]

AH THIS IS SO GOOD! This should be curriculum at schools/colleges/universities. Really important

[@AjaDang]

it should!

[@wendy123ballet]

The video I didn’t know I needed!!! I’m self employed and this was very helpful to see the different ways to split up your money! Love it!

[@lee-13]

Every dollar having a job is my budgeting style. I don’t like carrying cash.

[@adventurousbec]

I'm kind of a mish mash of zero based, 50/30/20 but more like 40/20/40 and values based. :)

[@m.i.n.9000]

I find handling paper money helps me more but also I don't like cash so I just cut up an a4 sheet and gave the pieces a value, I guess if you wanna be fancy you could cut the smaller bills smaller, print them colored etc for me it's enough just to move paper around to have a "feel" for what I'm actually spending, cause it's easy to lose track pf digital money

[@DearDebt]

Love this!! So important to have a healthy financial routine just like any other life routine 🎉🥰😍❤️

[@luisjiron8154]

This video revealed 3 things to me: 1) I do a combination of the Zero Based budgeting, and the Envelope System. 2) As I started to find my footing, and getting better at my finances, I didn’t realize I was also setting money aside for “Sinking Funds.” I didn’t even realize that was a term coined the sinking funds for money you would have to spend. So that’s already telling me that I have to trust what I got going on. 3) I gotta start setting money to the side for a down payment on a house, myself. If I had $100,000 saved for a down payment, I would get the fuck outta LA, and settle for a place that has a better and more affordable real estate market with a stable economy. Which leads me to a bonus: I know she’s winning at life. But she would be THRIVING at life if she wasn’t so attached to Los Angeles. I’m from Miami, FL, and as much as I love this place, I’m kissing this place goodbye.

[@lisa-mariaradler5272]

Very helpful video - thank you!! :) And 30 % for taxes is not that much for people who live in Austria - here it is about 42% and up to 50% if you have more than 120 000 Euros per year or something like that.. but I agree with you - I also put away the tax money immediately! :) :) greetings from Austria :)

[@Jacquelynm_]

I absolutely loved this! I found you 2 years ago and I knew I wanted to be financially stable in the future, especially coming from a home that lived paycheck to paycheck. I just got my first big girl job as a registered nurse and cannot wait to plan for the future and budget accordingly💗 mahalo nui Aja!

[@sharonshoe]

"gone within the first five seconds of living" LOL T.T

[@innsywincy]

Zero based worked so much better for me. I didn’t realize I was doing value based before the zero based but it ended up doing more harm than good 😂

[@TinaLeder]

Yessss *Aja in ETH* 👏👏👏

[@Katiedora122]

I started using the YNAB software last year, and it drastically improved my budgeting. It it zero-based budgeting but like, by way of digital envelopes based on your values. Now when I get paid, I'm genuinely excited to input the money and assign it to all my categories.

[@ivanas442]

I've got to say this was really interesting! As someone who doesn't know a lot about budgeting I learned so much in the first few minutes alone

[@AjaDang]

love to hear that!

[@bowesays]

So helpful! I stayyyy paying off credit cards before I accumulate any interest. Did the whole credit card debt thing, done with it, and not doing that again 😅 I wonder what credit card you've chosen now? I'm considering moving away from the ones I have and if you like your benefits/perks, I'd love to know!

[@AjaDang]

I only have one credit card and it's Chase Sapphire. I haven't used any of the points yet bc I'm saving up for the honeymoon but point chasers reallllly seem to love the card.

[@MishShelly]

You explained your budget routine SO WELL. I'm 21, just graduated, and getting ready for the new year. This was so helpful, thank you Aja!

[@maditheband]

I love watching your videos and I am learning a lot!

[@lifebytama]

anyway, will we get the 2022 money goals video? because i'm looking forward to it! yaayyy

[@beingilluminous]

I love how you explained these systems and literally how these systems can be used in a "step ladder" formation, the zero based is critical when a person can't get a "hold" of their money (like herding cats), and the 50/30/20 is great when a person is living at or above their means, and then, like you mentioned, how it moves onto the value based system.... I love logical "progressions", and budgeting has been a challenge my whole life due to big wants and scarcity issues.... I decided that 2022, I needed to get free of a risky joint bank account situation and get myself clear and focused-this gives me something "more" to graduate too-a day of just buying/investing based on values and trusting I have enough already invested elsewhere, to allow that flow.

[@C1nderfire]

Nothing to do with this video but would love a video on your makeup.

[@katrinapineda6873]

I get about 4 clients per month, 2 are "recurring" meaning I render same amount of services for them per month and what I do is last months' work from these 2 are next month's money. Then the other 2 clients are basically savings/investment/emergency on top of what I budgeted. At times I don't feel like working that much I am still at least covered by my 2 recurring clients but I always bill clients them every end of the month and account it into my budget every 1st of the month so all my budget money, sinking funds money, financial goals, are covered as soon as the month starts rather than waiting till the 15th or end of the month. I follow the same-ish system as yours except I haven't done the automatically counting taxes (which I probably should) but instead I have a tax/government sinking fund. Maybe next year I'll adapt yours and compare how much I actually paid vs how much I thought I was gonna pay.

[@lindseyrybicki2438]

I’m just curious, do the brands you work with send you a 1099 or tax form and do you have to wait for all of those each year before filing?

[@AjaDang]

they're supposed to send 1099's but sometimes they get lost or just not sent. So I track my own payments and normally file taxes under the assumption I haven't received all my 1099's. I did a whole video about how I file my taxes if you're like to learn more.

[@mariaeugeniamartins]

Holly cow, the down payment in LA is crazy 🤯

[@claudiaaa4268]

Can you talk more about your home savings ina. Brokerage account? Wil, you pay penalties when taken out in full. Im savings for a home as well but its just in my bank and i cant find answers where to put it.. Thanks for all the pointers very helpful content.

[@a33m3a]

she would have to pay capital gains tax if she gained money. no penalties paid if the money is in an individual investment account, and not a retirement account.

[@AjaDang]

Amnah is correct! I'll have to pay long term capital gains tax since it's been in the account for over a year but I won't pay penalties bc it's not a retirement account.

[@nishattasnim2903]

Love these adulting videos

[@alessiagandolfo9305]

Great video! I do a very similar method for my income since I'm self-employed as well!

[@trinhannie]

My MSTRPLN planner just arrived! I'm so so excited to get going! Thank you so much for creating something so incredible ❤‍🔥

[@ammie3447]

When I moved away from home a saw every penny as just spending money. Could not save for the life of me. It has now been like 7 years since I moved from home, and I will this year graduate from college. From April, when I will have my first full-time pay check, I intend on saving 400 dollars for retirement every month, but other than that, all money is just allocated to where I'd like to spend them. I've moved on from the mindset I had regarding spending all my money, and I can comfortably allow myself to buy a handbag if I want the handbag, because I know that I won't buy another one the same month, unless I really want it. It makes me happy to have come this far, and to be able to just allow myself to spend my money on what I want, without worrying about that I will spend it all on useless shit that doesn't bring me joy!

[@desireesantos4250]

More adulting videos like this, please! I appreciate your content so much 🙏 💜

[@Redservasian]

I love how you’re able to articulate your budget and spending.

[@valerieelfriede4789]

I am 25 and I am already a millionaire. Do you know i have been hearing about market crash, flaunt, normal paycheck routine and up and down in financial market since 2 years ago when I was researching as a beginner. Keep singing on normal paycheck routine here on youtube. I just pulled out 2.543btc profit yesterday nite from my trading account

[@davidhudson3001]

how did you do that

[@dr.ervingalen1777]

you sound so professional can you be my adviser and guide me through?

[@valerieelfriede4789]

Sorry, I don't trade for people but I can introduce you to her, she make me the successful trader I am today, her name is "Vivian Klaine Morgan you can google search her, she will help you

[@investorwest8735]

Her strategy has been helping a lot of traders/newbies out there, with her help, i was able to recover my losses from the crash so swiftly

[@richardwahl4354]

I have come across this name on a Bloomberg✔ interview where she spoke about how the financial market is being affected by the pandemic and the ongoing issues in Iran also, I really learnt a lot from her

[@m.g2944]

Great content. I spend a lot on food also. 30/50/20 just might be the answer I’m looking for. 👍🏽

[@AjaDang]

play around with your budget and see what works for you!

[@JaniVMD]

Love this routine!!! I think next year when I get paid more than once a month I think I am doing a similar routine!

[@User8vfjhejf]

Hope you have read Rich Dad, Poor Dad

[@lee-13]

I do zero based budgeting, so every dollar has a job, however, I have a buffer, allowance and miscellaneous category which gives me room for flexibility. I don’t do cash because o despise carrying over a $100 cash any given time on my person.

[@celsnacho]

I just got my first job but wanna make sure i dont spend all of my paycheck😂 thanks for the info aja~

[@AjaDang]

congrats!

[@cth1996]

I found your page for a reason! This video made me realize I currently have a lot of anxiety about money... Thank you for sharing, I will be watching your videos to get a better relationship with my finances!!!

[@cro20]

Aja can you make a video of “how I spent all my paychecks in one month”?

[@AjaDang]

would that be like my old monthly budget videos?

[@cro20]

@@AjaDang Yes! But i was imaging more vlog style, like when you get your first paycheck of the month you sit with us a split it how you choose, and so forth when the next paychecks come in throughout the month?

[@AjaDang]

@@cro20 ok!

[@User8vfjhejf]

Put everything on a credit card that pays cash back, pay off the credit card every month in full and take the cash back money and invest it into your stock portfolio

[@mayabasquin]

Hi Aja, I’m gonna need the link to the shirt you’re wearing in this video. Thanks ❤️

[@hunnywoowoo]

I really needed this as a new entrepreneur. Definitely going to try the 50/30/20! Thank you!

[@ayyaz.4864]

I love routine videos but damn. This one takes the cake. This is the best and most important routine one needs to have 👑

[@Ceterra4247]

I love your videos

[@helenCmartinez]

I wish I’ve learned this five years ago. Well thank you for the information.

[@sarahMbanks]

What lipstick are you wearing here?

[@AjaDang]

Bite Beauty in Orange Fizz: go.magik.ly/ml/1c9rv/

[@sarahMbanks]

@@AjaDang Thank you☺

[@drybackground]

Been burned out on financial content since getting debt free, this is one video that is going to get me back on the bandwagon!

[@AjaDang]

you can take it easy on yourself now that you're debt free! allow yourself more flexbility.

[@mariahonorata5672]

Thanks Aja for making budgeting, saving, fun, I honestly dreaded talking about and dealing with my finances. But your videos make the conversation and the the tasks not as intimidating anymore. I actually look forward to seeing how I spend and save my money. Happy new girl hope you have a prosperous new year. Many thanks for all the guidance 🙏🏽🥰

[@xlpzten9274]

I love your channel and have learned so much from you. I also really appreciate how you show when youve made mistakes and normalized it and kept moving forward, thank you for being so open and honest and for not hiding things to make your channel appear perfect or fake. You are genuine and its so great and refreshing!

[@gardenofe12]

I honestly just love ❤️ watching your budget videos !!! I will never get bored of them !! I have been watching you since you started paying down your huge student loan debt and can’t believe it’s been almost 2 years since you paid off over $200k in debt !! Can you believe it !! Please do a video on the anniversary of your student loan pay off !! You deserve it and it will honestly help a lot of people and give them inspiration !!

[@fourxii]

I love how you just tried different budgeting and see what works best for your lifestyle. One question though... making more money now, don't you get taxed more than 30%? Have you experienced not having enough in your tax account? I mean... I don't make as much as you, but I think I get taxed more than 35%. I'm in California as well.

[@AjaDang]

Nope, never had a problem with my taxes but I'm also able to write off A LOT of expenses as a freelancer. (I normally save up $100k in taxes) Plus, since I invest in a SEP for retirement, I get a tax break.

[@christineee444]

You don’t know how excited I get when I see a notification of your videos!! Thank you for explaining everything so thoroughly 🤍

[@alexa574]

Great content, just found you. New sub here!

[@peaceandshine]

Your ally savings account came with a debit card? I have a higher yield with Ally too, but debit cards (at least when I opened the account) only came with checking account.

[@AjaDang]

sorry I should've been more clear - My savings account doesn't have a debit card, only my checking account but I'll transfer the monies over to checking to be paid. I only use those accounts for tax purposes.

[@smoods]

What are you conservatively invested in?

[@tanyaz5121]

So do you transfer your goals to different accounts ?

[@mariahm15]

Love this video. Super helpful info! Thanks Aja! 😊

[@anicia_]

Hi Aja! I just got a raise and I wanted to be better with handling my finances. I am sooooo glad to have found your channel. Hopefully I can purchase your journals in the future. Much love from the Philippines. 💕💕💕

[@AjaDang]

congrats on your raise!

[@ForeverTJTigress]

This was super helpful! I’m in grad school right now and as an artist it’s kind of a hard to figure out my money. This gave me a lot to go off of. I had my budgeting nearly down before I went back to school but the pandemic and more students loans threw it all out of whack and I’m trying to get back into it 🤍

[@AjaDang]

your budget will change as your life changes! Try different methods of budgeting until you find a way that works with your current life.

[@photoartiste94]

Thank you for sharing your routine! You mentioned you have a SEP IRA what bank/ company did you open it with? Looking to open one soon as well.

[@AjaDang]

My SEP is with UBS

[@cheyennecosta9037]

Could you do a video on your bank account set ups? I’m trying to organize where my funds get saved and which accounts I pull from but I’m having a hard time.

[@AjaDang]

that's a good video idea. Let's just say I have about 10 accounts across 4 banks lol. But they all serve their own purpose and it keeps me organized.

[@monicapotterhead25]

where did you get the ladder?

[@sophiawisdomharps]

what about rent and bills

[@KatCherryRealtor]

Great video.... new subbie 😁

[@davisamills597]

I love zero based budgeting!

[@promhart764]

Aja, even though nobody asked I really appreciate this video. I have a question; do you strategize or have you in the past strategized using your debit and credit card accounts? I’ve been considering using my credit more to my advantage in the next year & want to know your opinion on what is the smartest move for someone on the beginning of their financial freedom journey. Thanks for all your help 💕

[@candy2325]

I use my capital one travel card for my monthly bills to get miles 👌🏾 it’s stuff that I have to pay for anyways so I thought it just makes sense to put it on my travel card and get points every month. I use cash for groceries because I don’t trust myself with a credit card for food 😭 I would overspend so I just have my monthly bills on my travel card like health insurance, car insurance, phone bill, subscriptions, etc

[@promhart764]

@@candy2325 yeah I think that’s what I’ll end up doing, paying my most regular bills with my credit cuz then it’ll be a somewhat set amount a month to pay off that I’ve already accounted for. Thank you!!

[@Haejaer]

More videos like this please 🥰

[@KellysChannel]

Great video can’t wait to write out my budget with this method :)

[@geenaperry5520]

Do you have a few savings accts for each or your sinking funds? Or just one acct for all?

[@AjaDang]

yes I have multiple savings accounts

[@Tottenhamie]

My husband is a freelance editor and socks away 30% into another account right away, too.

[@AjaDang]

smart man!

[@riseupbudgets4329]

Thank you for the ideas and inspiration. Working on getting back on track!

[@Mindyourbusiness82]

Great video, Aja. I may have missed it but have you done a video on your HSA? I am thinking of opening one and would love to hear your perspective on it.

[@AjaDang]

I have not! but it's great, you definitely should!

[@samadk14]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[@magdalenakrol3275]

Hi Aja! Do you ship your planners to Europe? Greetings!

[@AjaDang]

Hi! No not at the moment. It's too expensive right now.

[@christineee444]

I hope my lash business finally gets the traction I believe it deserves so I can start to feel like I somewhat have my life together 😅

[@AjaDang]

it will!

[@genoemi]

How do you include Brian in your wedding & down payment fund as in how does he contribute?

[@AjaDang]

He contributes what he can but we don't keep score or anything.

[@fundyourdreams5577]

Really enjoyed this! thank you

[@cindyzuniga9737]

Cash Cashless!

[@kana_onishi]

Amazing video idea!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@newbloomatelier3424]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Payday is always so stressful for me & these tips helped me so much!!

[@AjaDang]

pay day should be a fun day not a stressful one!

[@Roseycheeks86]

Love this type of content

[@clairegormley397]

Is it possible to order your planner to Ireland? I would love to get one but I can't seem to order to here on the website. They look kind of perfect

[@cecea1552]

In her FAQs it says they do not deliver internationally. I am like you, I am in England. However, you can pay for a printable or digital planner

[@clairegormley397]

@@cecea1552 thanks for responding. I'm so sad to hear that. I'd love one in my hand. Maybe next year!

[@jordanwilliams9300]

This was cool!

[@wrenchguy2937]

Love this video. Lets go teamm

[@ninamarie8421]

Is the 2000 on a weekly or bi-weekly basis

[@AjaDang]

it's neither: i never know when I'll get paid the payment amount is always different.

[@danigasher]

LOVE THIS !! xx

[@rachelstallings5460]

What does 20% for management mean?

[@AjaDang]

I have a management team that gets me brand deals so they get a 20% cut of my earnings.

[@NiyaNiyax3]

Starting a job in two weeks, needed this!!!

[@AjaDang]

good luck!

[@NiyaNiyax3]

@@AjaDang thanks Aja! 💕

[@devviedowner13]

This is an awesome breakdown! Thanks Aja!