How to Close Out Your Budget Every Month

[@ayannafraleymoore5265]

The “Where Did My Money Go” worksheets are truly a financial and budget game-changer! Thank you as always, Mkko!

[@jessekasten4455]

We’ve been floundering in the Ramsey world (literally, he’s based like 30 minutes from my home) for years. Nearly. No. Progress. Nada. So something has got to give. I found you on Pinterest and now I spend my son’s baseball practice in my car watching your videos and we are starting April 1st with your method. I even got my husband on board for a no frivolous spend April (20/30 days) with is no energy drink machines on the card for him and no Walmart Pay on mine (it’s just too easy...) and I’m excited again to budget. I purchased your printables and the dividers and highlighters. I can’t wait! Thank you!!

[@michellemorales401]

OMGEEEEE!!! MIKO!!! I remember your very FIRST KZbin video! Super proud of you and this journey! 🎉 💙💜💙

[@dianabusby420]

My budget is a work-in-progress. I always come back to this video when I'm doing my budget close-out. I've been following The Budget Mom since July 2019 and I still have a hard time balancing at the end of the month. It's hard tracking what my husband spends outside of the checking account.

[@Dave-tz9zx]

Fun! I am also an EWU graduate in Finance. I did something similar way back using Excel. Always wanted to share my method, but soon realized how many people don't use Excel. Good job!

[@Ilareau2]

Would you do a video on your DAILY budgeting routine looks like? This is all useful info but as a busy mom of 4 and working part time, I am finding it hard to keep up with it on a regular basis and when I sit down after 6-8 weeks of not tracking, the task of tracking down all those expenses seems overwhelming. I know you are super busy too and would love to see what a daily/ weekly budget routine looks like.

[@ayannafraleymoore5265]

Isabelle Funk Hi Isabelle. She does show her daily budgeting routine on her Instagram stories just about each day. Check them out.

[@tessinspired7111]

We just finished out our first month in the Bugdet Book....Wow! I shouldn't say I was surprised but in mourning. The part that aches and makes your heart heavy...I realize we go through challenges for various reason's and the best part is the more powerful you get with knowledge to turn things around. Our testimony will help others move their mountains, by you sharing your journey families are changing for the better. I won't say it'll be easy but look what we'll receive "freedom." Thank you for believing there's more to life than a debt lifestyle...but families to help. Blessings to you! 😍⚘🙏

[@ayannafraleymoore5265]

Your videos are literally changing my life and improving my finances! THANK YOU!!!

[@lucyramos1]

I am so happy that I stubble onto your KZbin channel. This is my new goal for 2019. I love how you explain step by step and show how you do it. I am also a visual learner. I've just watch your other 3 videos. Thank you so much. Your video will be my go to.

[@lquivers]

I’m going to have to look at this like ten more times before I can get all this down. You do a great job 😊

[@damattice23]

You are so helpful. Even better and more detailed that a certain grey haired guy I follow. And so colorful and fun. I’m looking forward to using all you tools in 2020. Wishing you the best year ever!

[@BeingAngelaMonique]

These are the classes we needed in school!!

[@brittanymathews8827]

I have watched ALL of your videos idk how many times. I just love you and proud of you and your success!!! You're truly an inspiration and I'm starting my budgeting journey really soon! I just purchased your envelopes and can't wait to put it all together and organized!!! ❤❤❤

[@melindabanning7707]

This is the part I have trouble with... I have married a spender and we are struggling to figure out our budget. I believe if he can see the numbers he will get where I am trying to be and I know this is the only way to really see how we are spending. Thanks for the video.

[@Lemjan01]

So colorful so organized I love it !!!!!

[@egreen4426]

Oldie but goodie! Haha! Glad I stumbled across this! 🥰 A lot has changed in almost 6 years!

[@mauniep6456]

This video came at the perfect time! I JUST closed out my month and wondered how to use those other sheets. Thank you!

[@jennaedwards2426]

Yay! You have changed my life! ♥️ Nothing else has ever worked for me until I found your insta a couple months ago! You’re the best, Miko!!! ❤️

[@colombepetite]

This is the third time I have watched this video in only 2-days. I am a once a month income/bill payer and I have never felt that “budget” videos applied to me. I was WRONG! I have been using ThePolkaDotPosey’s budget book for about 5-years now, but I am in need of growth to actually pay off debt. Thank you!

[@renaesutton3145]

Too funny.... they use to call these check registers but now with checking accounts not even having checks those are absolete..... I am still old school - and still use check register to do what you are doing on these worksheets. I categorize all on my paycheck budget and the only extras other than planned in my budget is the actual amounts spent for gas, pets and groceries so I only track those figures at the end of the month. thanks for the info on how you finalize your month you gave me some additional ideas.

[@marylnantoine6158]

Congratulations on the new house very blessed to you and your son I am new to your channel congratulations and many blessings from God

[@victoriag4849]

b. mom you have helped me to hold on to more cash and a good perspective of my financial situation. your the best.

[@amyfletcher4749]

I dont eat out much or buy very many little things so I dont track my " spending" I do all my Bill's and what's leftover goes to gas/groceries and pocket money. What I have left after that goes to savings when I get my next check and I start again. I just keep it more simple.

[@PrettyRyanTravels]

i like the video but it was confusing with the flipping back and forth between cash tracker and bill tracker. nice use of the highlighters.

[@missheeyah]

Hi Miko, I love that you share so much information! I'm loving the Highlighter Method and find it is so much easier to look through and look for certain transactions on the Expense Tracker! I love watching all of your videos and IG stories! I'm a beginner at budgeting and just love to absorb all the information! I'm currently just focusing on getting into the habit of keeping track of all my transactions! You've really been an eye-opener for me! Hopefully one day I'll get the hang of the whole budgeting process! :D

[@classycaffeinated4846]

Thanks for sharing your journey I am going to try your method it makes the most sense to me I have failed a budgeting and your videos have inspired me to try again 🤓

[@charityc]

YAY!!! Awesome video! I can see James' big smile in your cover pic 💕

[@andreaisenschmid5397]

have been waiting so long for your youtube channel hehe! thank you so much for sharing your knowledge🤗

[@JolenEE148]

So excited for your channel!! I have followed you on Instagram for awhile now and you are such a inspiration

[@GoldaaSmith]

I'm having a little trouble following you so I hope you answer this question. The starting balance on the November Expense Tracker for the checking account...is that the ending balance of your October checking account statement? The starting balance for the November Expense Tracker cash spending...is that the total cash you didn't spend from your October envelopes?

[@Albert-mi3yq]

Yes, I am wondering the same thing. Where did you get your starting balanced from? Especially when we're starting fresh on your workbook.

[@marilynngonzalez595]

Love the use of highlighters!

[@jonnaborosky8836]

I like your system. Mine's set up a little differently, but contains the same info. I like that you track cash spending separately from checking. Like to listen to your videos. You do a great job explaining...clear and understandable.

[@dd13abc32]

Great video I have been seeing various youtube budget videoshave for several years and yours is the first

[@dd13abc32]

video talking about closing the month..thanks for the information

[@cookwithirmiiita]

Printing your bank statement and highlighting will also work

[@KateMiller5]

I’m so excited for this channel!! Can’t wait to implement these new worksheets and hit the ground running in 2019! Thank you for sharing your visuals! ❤️❤️

[@diamondsandpearls899]

This is extremely detailed absolutely love it thanks for sharing

[@jadeelaine8940]

Could you please explain how the expense tracker and the envelope works- specifically how you don't count that when you are closing out.

[@maureenp7082]

When carrying over money from checking to the next month, do you count what's still outstanding for autopay's that have not hit the balance yet? (i.e.. Payment for 12/31 doesn't hit your account until 1/3.)

[@florita1able]

I am new to this - I bought the workbook for 2021 in December but am actually going to start closing it out this month (May) for the first time. So good question. I was wondering about that one too. I noticed your post is a year old. Did you ever figure it out?

[@pdxoregon1]

Subscribed after watching about 10 minutes of this great vid.

[@chandraparker7477]

Thank you for posting this!! Can’t wait to use this at the end of the month!

[@BellaJae]

I do this every 2weeks for over 5yrs. I’m still a work in progress

[@chrissypacheco9635]

This was so helpful. TFS and being so honest 😊

[@jessicadavis16]

So very helpful!!!!! thank you!!!! As a Stay at home mom with debt of my own, I have a side gig that is unpredictable how much I will make. We rely primarily on my husbands income! It will be interesting to get everything down on paper to see what we can do!! I may need a class!! like a one on one!! LOL

[@Fernanda052809]

What an amazing channel with awesome content! Keep the videos coming 👍🏼

[@sleepbootbianca]

Hi Mikko, thanks for all your financial information. I live in the Netherlands and our banking- and payment system is not totally comparable with yours, but.......I’m currently following your introduction video course and it helps me to fine-tune our budget. I’ve also made some cash envelopes (thanks for the printables by the way!!) and I’m wondering what my friends will say, because this is something we don’t know or use here;-) Greetings from The Netherlands, Chantal

[@WendyCranford]

Hi Kumiko, I recently found you and subscribed and purchased your workbook. I actually printed it two times, and created two binders. One for my personal income and one for my business. I too run an online business (crafting, you tube, blogging) I am curious if you do this same type of budgeting for your business. I am going to try it, as I think I am wasting money in areas that I should not be. Then after I pay all my business bills and do my envelopes for my biz stuff I am paying myself and putting money into my personal account. That is my "paycheck" for my job. However it fluctuates substantially each month. Do you have any thoughts or advice on how you do your business budgeting and tracking of info?

[@linsildiedar]

Love your method... Amazing and very helpful. Thank you!?

[@tsantos3839]

You rock! Would you be able to do another How to Close Out Your Budget?

[@susanvelez6534]

Darling I just found your channel, what a beautiful home you purchased in cash for you and your on. I'm an older single mom (59) I've been paying on my home 15 years now. I really want to pay it off but I really don't make enough. What type of business did you start. I'm thinking of starting one. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙋🏻🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@floppybob1121]

Sorry I have another question. If you have a starting balance in your envalopes in the beginning of the month do you lower the amount you stuff your envalopes with to equal the normal amount you need for the month or do you still add the same amount even though you have money left over from the previous month and now you can spend more that month? Sorry for the questions but I love your system. Keep these budget videos coming for the new year!

[@mistyisntded91]

Great question!

[@mikeblanton2932]

If you go over budget in a category for the month, where do you pull from to make up the difference?

[@MissEricaBarnes]

How do you go about tracking your spending sheet? Do you do it daily? Also how do you go about using the cash envelopes when you're buying things from multiple categories at a place like Target or Walmart? This has really been tripping me up. Thank you.

[@MissEricaBarnes]

@@thebudgetmom so simple. This helps me so much you don't even know! Thank you for replying. ~wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year~

[@karlac50]

This was extremely helpful. Thank you!!!

[@natashah4420]

On your “where did my money go, monthly budget category break down” where do you list your sinking funds? Another question I have, do you fill out these papers at the beginning or the end of the month? For instants in your “where did my money go worksheets” you always ask about “total monthly income”, what do you do when you have unexpected income throughout the month? Last question, (I hope) in your monthly “paycheck bill tracker” you add your car to the bill portion but do you also add it to your extra debt? I noticed that in your “monthly debt and savings break down” you have the car listed there as a debt could you explain this a little more? Thanks

[@Kbaytops]

Thanks soo much for posting I’m taking your email course now love it

[@nitecore1748]

This was very informative, and you explained things so well. Thank you!

[@victoriag4849]

i like that "savings challenge".

[@JuliaCasique]

Welcome to YT gorgeous!!!! 2019 is going to epic 💵💵💵

[@colorsofavon934]

This is awesome!

[@ChristinaLovesplanning]

can you share what you use for tracking credit card debt, the documents that are on the wall and that you color in. I see you have one on your free resources, for debt free . I can use that. so did you color in every payment or when you were done paying one card off ? Thank you.

[@robynfranzen5356]

How do you handle expenses for November that don’t clear your account until the first or second day of December? Some bills pull on the last day of the month but that’s not a business day so they don’t pull until the next month technically. Do you count it in November and account for that anticipated deduction in your new month starting balance? Or not track it until it actually leaves the account?

[@apmwpny]

Robyn Franzen - I highly encourage you to place the expense in the month you need to pay it and do account for the deduction accordingly. My insurance payment is due the 30th of the month and I mail a check 5 to 7 days earlier. Though many times the transaction hits my bank account on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th of the following month, I consider the monetary deduction the day I mail the check even though it could be up to a week or 10 days before I see the transaction post to my account. The money will be available for those specific payments. Your new month starting balance should not include previous month payment transactions, made via mailed checks or autopay, though the money should be sitting in the account awaiting those transactions to clear. Hope this input helps you.

[@azrina1230]

I have done a similar expenses tracker last year but using the excel application. It is easier and less paper used.

[@uplate6674]

So helpful! Thanks for this.

[@erin2535]

Love the way you explain stuff!

[@detelleydaraim2187]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. May I ask? What is 'Checking Account'? I'm not familiar with the term in my country (Malaysia), is it the same as Current Account?

[@happyonthehomefront4317]

Thanks so much!

[@allisgrace1313]

Could you talk to us and show us what it looks like when you start your budget for the month at the first paycheck for that month and end the last day before your first pay period in the next month. If you already have....could you pls provide me with a link? Ty much!

[@shaundaroberts76]

Can you please do a detailed video of this again with the Budget by Paycheck Workbook? I’m struggling closing out my monthly budget.

[@gretchenreetz1769]

I'm just getting started with your budgeting videos. Some of the links referenced in this video are no longer available? Are there new links to locate the worksheets?

[@kirsten4443]

Wow great video ❤️

[@spieldose]

How do you create a 401k if you work for yourself? I don’t... but my job doesn’t offer anything to save to.

[@crystalBall9287]

I'm not Kumiko but check around a few banks in your area and look into their IRA Roth and 401k accounts and try to decide what works best for your situation. Tbh I would just list it as a running expensive. Put in what you can. You can also look into money market accounts, CDs, etc. There are lots of long term retire options. Note: I'm not a financial professional lol I'm just listing options available for saving for retirement. Good luck on your financial journey!

[@WendyCranford]

Another question - I see you have 401K, but my hubby gets 401k taken out automatically we don't pay that out of the money we receive it's already gone. So would I just track that somewhere else?

[@ayannafraleymoore5265]

Wendy Cranford Yes. I have separate tracker sheets just for my retirement accounts.

[@planning_with_patches5860]

I have a full time job that pays on the first of the month. I also work a part time job that pays every other Thursday. Then I have another job that I get paid on those opposite Thursdays. It's some thing I do every other Saturday usually. Credit card debt, student loans and a family loan. I've gotten out of debt before but fall back into it years later. I was better before the advent of debit cards. How would I do budget by paycheck? I really need to get my finances under control so I can quite my part time jobs. My part time job at night is inconsistent with hours too. Would I round to lowest expected for those checks? I did the debt snowball sort of years ago before it was a thing and it worked.

[@naturalmom3]

If I am just starting and I use checking account and credit cards for expenses and variables, how should I track? Should I track my credit card spending and checking account spending? I also separate my income and pay bills from a bill checking account. Should I track the 2 checking accounts and the credit cards?

[@travisdavis1042]

You’re awesome. Thanks!

[@bloominginthelight1]

I'm a brand new sub! I just found you today and I'm excited to get started. I made my own Expense Tracker and color-coded for the last six days of expenses. Definitely need to rearrange some of the big monthly bills so they don't all come out at once! I do have a question: what do I do about variable spending that I mostly do online? For example, I homeschool and typically ALL of my homeschool budget goes to Amazon. I'm not sure how to do this.

[@thebudgetlife9049]

If she hasn't responded to your message I would suggest to message her on Instagram she always replies there

[@titenini07]

Thanks for posting this!! I have a question regarding sinking funds. I seen that you added your Christmas sinking as an income then an expense. Did you count the 500$ toward your income for the month?

[@ccbyrd2988]

Will you soon offer a promo code for the 2019 workbook? I'm looking forward to purchasing it.

[@annetteperez1779]

Do you use the net pay or gross? I have a few things that are automatically deducted from my pay check. Like car insurance, healthcare spending acct, federal taxes, state taxes, Medicare retirement fund, medical benefits.

[@jenc893]

It's after deductions. The Budget Mom is self employed that's why you'll see health insurance and dental insurance listed on her bills. So you would write down your income after all deductions.

[@barbarahatfield9658]

Wow this very interesting and that what i nead

[@floppybob1121]

Hi I have another question... sorry! LOL On the "Where did my money go" under the Debt Categories.....Is the amount per category the "additional" amount you placed towards your debt or the "total" amount? For example... I have a monthly car payment of $220.00 ...but I can make an additional $300.00 towards that debt. So do I place the amount of $300 for car category or the total of $520? Same question for the "monthly debt payoff"... Is that just the additional debt payoff amount your tracking or total, including the normal debt payment for that month... I hope you understand my question. To sum it up, is the "where did my money go" tracking the additional money you're obtaining to pay off debt or the additional money PLUS the normal monthly debt expense

[@floppybob1121]

@@thebudgetmom Thank you!

[@revolverontheroad6743]

Hi new fan! And I have a newbie question if you don’t mind? How do you handle a purchase of mixed categories? Like say you go to Wal mart where you purchase food, toiletries, and let’s say make up. All 3 different categories for your cash envelopes but one purchase. Thoughts?

[@itsmistythehusky]

I believe it depends on what cash envelope you plan on using when you go to Walmart. I usually use my Food envelope but if I am going to Walmart for beauty supplies then I would use my Beauty envelope. Hope that helps.

[@revolverontheroad6743]

It's Myrita thanks for the reply but what I’m wondering is it expected to separate out purchases when going through the check out line?

[@itsmistythehusky]

@@revolverontheroad6743 I usually don't. I just put down "Walmart" in the transaction line of my tracking page and then under category I put down "Food". I try to keep it simple. If you feel more comfortable separating the line items of your receipt so you have a more accurate account of what categories your spending in you can do that as well.

[@revolverontheroad6743]

It's Myrita thanks. I think that’s where my confusion lies... if we allocate a certain dollar amount for specific categories but then cash dispersement isn’t accurate. 🤔😜

[@itsmistythehusky]

@@revolverontheroad6743 its cash envelope categories not per item categories. So for example I have 3 envelopes that fall under the Food Category, "Groceries", Lunch" and "Fast Food". I use my grocery cash envelope to go household food shopping and that includes toiletries and misc beauty products such as facial wipes, hair supplies etc. I use my "Lunch" envelope only for lunch at my job's cafeteria. That includes what I would purchase at the vending machine. I use my "Fast Food" envelope to purchase food while I'm on the go. It doesn't have to be fast food just any food at any restaurant but its mostly Fast Food. When I track my spending each envelope has a little tracking card and every day I use that specific envelope, I always put it all under "Food" category regardless of what it was used for. If I was going to get my hair and nails done at the salon I would use my Beauty envelope for that because those are budgeted expenses. Not sure if this clarifies it better but the bottom line is if your going to Walmart to pick a few things and you want to use your Food envelope for it just make sure your trip is tracked on the Food Envelope. It's all to your discretion.

[@QiB3auty]

if you have multiple checking accounts would u group them together on one expense tracker or have a expense tracker for each account? i know everyone is different but just wanting a general idea.

[@nicoleehrhart1363]

Is there a beginner starter? I bought the book you have in pdf and I am wanting to start somewhere

[@sarahgriffin3665]

Hi! Question regarding the “where did my money go” section. On the page that shows what was budgeted versus what was spent for all categories, you spent more than what was budgeted. Since you have a plan for every dollar and every dollar is “spent” where are you pulling money from to cover in categories where you spent more than budgeted? Are you borrowing money from other envelopes?

[@erikaramirez6558]

that could be one case - she also keeps a 'misc' envelope so it could come from that envelope. there also could have been an increase in income.

[@jenc893]

She has money in her checking account called a "cushion" that she will use for things that come up.

[@coverscornersurburbanhomes6235]

I am confused on how to track the cash envelopes/sinking funds. So, I write a check to myself every pay, for the money to go into my cash envelopes/sinking funds. That check goes into my checking account tracker. Am I supposed to break it down in the cash tracker when I put it into each envelope? I remember in one of your videos you said that it was viewed as income. I'm so confused! LOL I've been doing cash envies/sinking funds for many years, but I never tracked the money that I put into them/took out of them every month as an expense.

[@abbyfuentes1306]

Yay!!! The KZbin channel is here! 💜

[@AG-lf9gk]

What do you do with credit card usage? Do you track it as well? Do you use it to close out your budget as well? I'm wondering thanks

[@LatriceSteward2015]

I never close out my budget I will now

[@brandiewilliams6421]

When your figuring out you starting cash balance you say everything in your cash envelopes does that include sinking funds as well?

[@heatherjohnson5612]

Sidenote: your lashes are beautiful!

[@patriciapification]

So helpful 💚

[@kristen15]

Can you do a video explaining your Debt Payment Plan worksheet?

[@ayannafraleymoore5265]

I do believe she has one as a part of another video, but I can’t find it at the moment. I’d also like that particular worksheet to be available for purchase individually.

[@yekaterinasublett81]

Miko, I have been trying to find the cash envelope breakdown sheet in the free resource library, I cant seem to find it. Is it not there? If not, can you send me a link of where to find it please. Thanks, Kat

[@tokyoeye]

I’m wondering about my husband’s paychecks also. Do I create 2 different binders? We get paid at different times and have 2 separate accounts. Thank you!!

[@itz_tocalana]

Depends in who is responsible to paid the bills ,in my case is me, what i do i count whatever money he give me to paid our house bills as my income ,them budget from that

[@triciafirmaniuk8415]

Hi Kumiko, I just bought my binder printables, and it looks different than this. No Where did my money go and only one monthly expense sheet, do I need an updated version? I only bought it about 6 weeks ago. Also, how on earth can you only spend $300 a month on groceries? We spend at least $1000 to $1200 Canadian for a family of 3. Thank you for what you do!

[@BeingAngelaMonique]

How do you start if you are brand new to this channel and method...like day one what do I do?

[@charliestoker5125]

Question, does your starting cash balance also include all your sinking funds envelope that you are currently saving up? So your total of the cash beginning balance is all your variable spending envelopes and sinking funds totals?

[@debrashapter6267]

Hi, Did you get an answer to this question? I am stuck on this as well and can't find how to do it. I have not yet successfully in two years closed my budget out.

[@kathadey2734]

I am struggling with this because I am paid bi-weekly. So how do I combine budget by paycheck and closing out my budget for the month?

[@ayannafraleymoore5265]

katha dey Hi Katha. Just combine both paychecks at the end of the month. Combine the income from both paychecks to get a total income for the month, and then combine all of your expenses for the entire month from both paychecks. Hope that helps.

[@audreysturgeon2488]

How do you get your percentage. I see you have a formula down at the bottom of the page but I'm still confused 😕 can you please give me examples!!!