HOW TO START A BUDGET | FREE DOWNLOAD BUDGET TEMPLATE

It's a How to Budget video!
Hello friends, my name is Christine, and welcome to Frugal Fit Mom! Today I am sharing the budget template that I have used for years. To download your own version for free, click the button on this page - frugalfitmom.n...
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[@jillygirl2024]

Because of you and the easy way you and the channel " Frugal Freaks" talk about budgeting & money I have developed my own financial plans. And went into this pandemic with bills paid current, pantry, freezer, frig full and way less stress than some of my neighbors, co-workers, friend's & family. During this time, yes, I have been getting unemployment I have been able to successfully pay bills current and meet several financial goals all the while being careful of my spending. Thank you ! I plan to retire next year ( 62) and it is possible

[@cates6431]

PLEASE get life insurance. My FIL recently passed away, and if not for our emergency fund, we would have had to use credit to pay for end of life expenses. (Even basic cremation is expensive!) Even just a $10k policy would cover the basic needs for funeral/cremation stuff. I've been using a similar budget without the roll-over for several years. (Never really had anything to roll over, lol) We're newly debt free and I'm gonna add a roll over into my budget!

[@ttu888didfitrhondavigil8]

We have followed Dave Ramsey for 3 years. Now debt free and mortgage free. Yahoo!

[@MWieandSeamstresswithStyle]

I’m a big budget believer and now I help others. Thanks for your help and sharing.

[@amyfann2881]

I’ve been watching your budget updates for years now. You are a financial inspiration! I have a spread sheet I already use but I like that yours can see a year at a time, I may adopt that portion and add it to mine. We have paid off a lot of debt the past couple years and while we still have more to go, videos like these are a reminder to keep going on this path! Thanks for sharing! ❤️

[@randijohnson3806]

I love me a budget spreadsheet. I spent about 6+ hours a few weeks ago revamping my savings spreadsheet, which includes yearly things like prop taxes. It now tells me exactly how much I have in each category in any given month. I was (and still am) so proud of it, so I showed my husband and his eyes just glazed over. He may not get my excitement, but he's glad he doesn't have to keep track of stuff like that!

[@quileter]

Thank you for posting this. Starting my debt free journey and this will help my family alot.

[@WhitneyIreland]

Yes! I love numbers and budget creating. I’m excited to pay bills too since starting budgeting. It really creates a totally different mindset about money. Having a budget makes spending money not as stressful because you’ve budgeted for it and planned it out.

[@KendraW8]

I just realized that you teach an online class for a living- but we get to take your classes for free 🤓 thanks for the video! Any tips on how to get a non-frugal partner who refuses to discuss money, to be more open to suggestions about finances?

[@emilyemm8460]

Good luck with the communication, but I would recommend setting up auto savings transfers to come out as your paycheck comes in, so you trick your brain (or your partners) into thinking you have less money to work with that month. That helped me in my less frugal days!!!

[@corianne2099]

I'm sure her classes you have to pay for has some extras to it, but will say this is a good summary

[@mandlerparr1]

How about how to discuss money with a partner who thinks they are frugal, but aren't? I would say that to talk to someone who is not frugal, you have to come at it in a way that is non-confrontational. Instead of saying, "we/you spend too much on groceries" say "we need to save some money, can you look at our finances and see if you can find a place we can save because I haven't been able to." and then you have to show them all the finances, not just theirs. and if they are not good with money, you can put on the budget or your list the things that can't be changed, like rent/mortgage, utilities, etc. And then you have to be open to talking about your spending as well, because sometimes people that think they are frugal have a weakness in one or two areas. Like, you may think you are frugal by always buying the cheapest car parts, but you lose out in the long run because the more expensive ones would have lasted 4 times as long but were only double the price. Or there may be an area where one of you is being unreasonable. ie, you budget yourself $20 per week because sometimes you go out with work friends for lunch, but you think your partner who gets a $3 coffee every weekday should quit doing that when really you could both reduce each of your budgets for those items, or keep those things and reduce elsewhere or even just use coupons.

[@Kiterpuss]

Friendly psych person here: perhaps sitting down and filling out a spreadsheet like in this video on your own, then send this video (or a similar one) and ask your partner to try it for themselves. Often times, someone will avoid a discussion because they feel uncomfortable with the topic, so this video could give them a foundation from which to discuss further. This would also give you each an easy and non confrontational way to share your own perspectives and goals.

[@wendymcbridemarinecorpscom8811]

That is ABSOLUTELY true and I've said same thing before in comments. I use her videos for cooking classes at Women's shelter I volunter at.🙂 She's amazing!! 💕🙏🥰

[@jessicablakely6802]

Yes! Not knowing about my finances made me passively ALWAYS stressed about money. You're so right. Once you dive in, you feel in control!

[@jenniferwinsor7740]

I love this. I'd like to hear a little more about you and Dave's spending/saving differences and similarities.If they are vastly different, what steps/conversations do you have (and how often)to bridge the divide?

[@ktjomeyers]

I am impressed that you only spend $200 a month on groceries. I also have a family of six and we spend at least $600 a month, and that is good when you look at the average in America. I love watching your money saving ideas videos but I would love to see a monthly menu that you do. My kids get sick of spaghetti every week. :) This past year I have also been doing no sugar, no flour. I have found it is actually a lot more expensive to eat "healthy". Meat and veggies add up fast! :(

[@beatrizaceiton2685]

First, yes🏅🏅🏆💖🇨🇦my budget is very simple. Rent, utilities, food. No miscellaneous or weir stuff. It's just me. I love love love discipline. It makes me high.🇨🇦💟🇨🇦💟❤💖💯👌😍

[@danicaprodanova5559]

Get help 😕

[@jillygirl2024]

Good for you to be on top of things financially ! Those who are not financially secure misunderstand how it feels freeing to know your future is safe ! You don't need " help" - they do !

[@TheSamVala]

You are very Lucky. I'm a singel person with a dog. I bought 2 houses in 2years. I need to pay everything from my own salary, rentincome etc. Lucky I can sell some wood from my own forest, sell berries in The authum, babysitting etc. But it is never easy to pay The loan on The houses, cars, food, repairs etc. You need to know where everything goes to the cent and save every cent you can since things love to break. (sorry if I have spelling mistakes but I'm dyselektic and english is my 3d language. And I speek better english then my spelling tells)

[@loveGG3]

Honestly I love all your videos but YES to more budget/finance videos!

[@annaleewhite6753]

This was awesome!! Really motivating for me to create my own for our budget!

[@FrugalFitMom]

You can do it!

[@moniquemc4553]

Perfect timing! I’ve been looking for a new budget sheet. I’ve browsed so many lately trying to find one that works for me. Thank you. This is awesome

[@juliayork8715]

Awesome video! I find so many people are in the dark about their personal finances because it's easier to be unaware than it is to take action and make steps to change.

[@FrugalFitMom]

So true!

[@emilyemm8460]

We paid off our last credit card this month, and strangely, it’s made me want to stick to a budget more than ever!! I just want savings, savings, savings!! Great video, I will definitely have to add sinking funds to my budget to allocate what the savings is intended for!

[@amandaburger2506]

Thanks for sharing! I have a pretty solid budget spreadsheet, but I wasn't tracking my sinking funds and I HATE making spreadsheets. I'm excited to give yours a go. It also didn't occur to me to put the spreadsheet in a google doc so my husband and I could edit it from anywhere... I feel kind of silly about that one, but I'll be doing it now.

[@luminousweb]

Thank you! Budgeting, especially for food, is so hard for me. I would love to see more videos like this one.

[@lianneconroy5289]

I have been trying to do my budget on a notebook for a few months and I am terrible at marking everything down. Thank you soooo much for this budget sheet!! I have it on my phone now and it's so easy

[@dawnm5834]

Do you actually only spend a little over $200/month on groceries?! We live 45 minutes outside of Vancouver, Canada and we spend around $1,000/month for a family of 4. Food is expensive!!! And we make 95% of meals at home, we eat leftovers. Try not to waste as much as possible.

[@janetschaaf]

I thought the same thing! I'm in Missouri and routinely spend $500-600 per month on groceries. We don't eat out much at all, maybe spend $40 on meals out.

[@Narbyful]

I'm a new-ish subscriber, and I'm really enjoying your content. My husband and I were pretty much empty nest with our younger son joining our older one at the same college. Then: Covid-19. Now they are back here doing work online, which is fine; actually great. We are doing well, personality wise. But food and budget? Yea. So we decided we need to establish at least a solid food budget to stay organized, within money boundaries and to avoid waste. So this video was great; thanks a bunch. P.S. Thanks also for the pie crust recipe (I'm completely intimidated by crusts. My grandmother spent no less than 5 hours a day - LOL it seemed - making pies, and she was fanatical about not handling crusts too long, with the warning that it would make them tough). I'm also going to try out the recipe for the bread with the cinnamon chips in it, but with just regular chocolate chips. Again, loving your content, especially as I have two giant college kids here again. :) THANKS.

[@ncm5928]

Thanks so much! Ive been meaning to create my own budget spreadsheet, but now I don't have to!! Thanks again and I really enjoy your videos.

[@kaileop5399]

What an incredibly valuable video. I will definitely be watching this a couple of times to absorb the great information.

[@antoninajucovscaia8439]

Love your videos and sensible approach to spending!

[@sarahbethh7783]

Thank you for this video Christine. We just found out baby 1 is on the way, bought a house, and I'm starting a new job. And my student loans all just hit repayment. There is so much going on in our lives right now, and I really needed a little extra guidance.

[@kellyraglow7393]

This is awesome!!!!

[@tammyrowland60]

I appreciated this video so much. It is interesting that I play with numbers all day at work but minimize my own finances at home. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I would love to see more of you teaching personal finance. I am going to share this with my sons. I have also started saving to get a new phone so I can add ibotta, fetch rewards, etc. Yes, my phone is that old.

[@emilyemm8460]

I agree - I’ve worked in accounting for years and never wanted to sit down and do the work for my own stuff - even though it takes seconds each day to update. Now that I do I’m kicking myself for all the years I never did it!

[@kaysallengs]

We do ours a little differently. We add up all of our expenses for the month, then divide by two. We put that amount into a "bill" account each pay period.

[@laurahinds4789]

Thank you for sharing! Perfect timing as my brother has just asked me to help him make a budget. I will definitely be using this template

[@FrugalFitMom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amyshimonkevitz4803]

One thing I found was helpful to me when I was younger, and I had significant credit card debt was not to look at the balance of one card, because that number didn't phase me at all. However, when I totaled up all of my credit card debt into one number, it was huge and a much bigger motivator for the younger me to pay it down. Then, I kept track of my debt balance as one number broken down each month by the balance, what I paid, and how much was added back (in interest until I paid off the debt). This helped me to think in terms of the larger picture to paying down the entire debt instead of thinking about just making the payment on each card each month. It also was a big motivator for me not to use the credit card because each time I was tempted, I would think "I was able to reduce that big number, I don't want it to go back up." That was much better for me; that mindset really made a difference in how I was able to manage reducing my debt routinely each month.

[@low8739]

I’m so glad you mentioned life insurance. Thirteen years ago my husband died suddenly. Thankfully, we had life insurance or else I would’ve had to sell my house just to survive.

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

I downloaded it. I want ideas for budgeting. We are fine but I want more savings. I like your ideas. Thank you.

[@themagicknightress7132]

So sinking funds are like things you’d like to put money towards but aren’t as prompt?

[@FrugalFitMom]

Yes, things that come around but not every month.

[@elainecarrillo5434]

Can’t wait to try this thanks for sharing!

[@melaneeminer6022]

This is exactly what I needed. You have saved my sanity. I am sending your video to my husband. Thank you!!!!

[@sarahgirard1405]

This video made me just want to hang out! Hahaha this strange thing that happens when you watch someone’s videos so much they kinda become friends to you? I know that a major one way street but anyway. Rant over! Good video! Thank you!

[@corianne2099]

I am so glad I am not alone with being a numbers geek. I have an accounting degree so I love numbers

[@randijohnson3806]

🙋🏻‍♀️ Fellow numbers geek here too!

[@atdepaulis]

Yes!!! Love this!! 🥳

[@TheKerryBerry01]

This is really interesting! I am graduating with my masters in August and living in a house with my boyfriend. I definitely want to incorporate using a budget since it will be my first time in the "real world" with working.

[@lachess7151]

Love it. I'm a spreadsheet girl. Love the budget video!

[@jessann5581]

I don’t even save for Xmas, I start buying for all the kids, (my 3 boys, younger siblings, nieces, nephews, parents, grandparents and the bro/sis in laws) at our sales, Xmas time and New Years sales, throughout any other sale we have like our mid year end of Financial year sales, and clearance items. Most the time it’s gift cards these days as most the nieces and nephews are teens so harder to buy for. 😬 Always love watching your videos, helped me do my monthly meal plan. I now only shop once a week for the bare minimum like milk bread, school/work lunches and fresh fruit, for everything else I buy bulk every 2 pushing 3 months.

[@chrishelleward9133]

Umm there’s no closed captioning.... I was not able to watch the videos.... bummer...

[@mjkt00]

Thank you this is exactly what my husband has been looking for a combo of his way and my paper way.

[@saraxtea]

This couldn't have come at a better time for me! With the stimulus and unemployment I've been earning which is much more than I'm used to, I really needed some guidance on how to allocate and save. I'm a single woman without a spouse, kids, a car, school loans or a house, but I'm really trying to start now so when those things are eventually added, I won't feel so overwhelmed and lost. I used a basic google template for this month and last month, but I think yours looks much easier to use and is much more customizable. Thank you Christine!

[@loreleibuffington2452]

I'm the exact same way. My husband tells me all the time That it doesn't make sense coming out of my mouth, but it'll make sense in my head

[@glasshalfsunny]

Hi Christine! Thanks for sharing this. When you were paying off your debt, did you follow Dave Ramsey's advice about NOT funding your 401k/retirement during this period and just push all extra income towards the debt? I am 55 and it just pains me to think about NOT putting something towards my 401K right now. Just wondering what your thoughts were/what you two did? Thanks! :)

[@karenennis6109]

Thanks for sharing. I did a spreadsheet in January, I also did in February, then life blew up and I haven't touched it again. I need to get back to it.

[@ellacristina980]

Same. I blame it on the pandemic situation. I went straight into survival mode.

[@emilyemm8460]

Never too late to start again!!

[@carmenalderton3101]

How would you budget for bi-weekly paychecks, where most months you get two (but never on the same days) and some you get three? It makes it hard to decide which bills come out of which paychecks.

[@pugluvnapril79]

Carmen Alderton Check out The Budget Mom here on YT. She budgets by paycheck and really breaks it down for you.

[@carmenalderton3101]

@@pugluvnapril79 I will, thank you!

[@geenabeanscrochetandmore3533]

I’ve been doing something similar since I’ve been paying bills. I use notebooks and pencil though. Took me forever to even use online bill pay. We have over 15 bank accounts. Lots of sinking funds. We just put in a new above ground pool with cash because all our summer vacations were cancelled.

[@kerrough]

Have you ever watched videos by The Budget Mom? Maybe y'all could do a budgeting collab sometime ^.^

[@mariejones4981]

I love your videos. The hauls the recipes trying to stretch your doll hairs 😅. I think your family is a hoot. I appreciate this video and would like more. I am trying to start a debt free journey. The struggle for me is the Bill's equal more then the take home. So it is hard to budget it out. Any tips??

[@AB-zr8pu]

I have a spreadsheet for my main bills that i've used for years. I really like that yours shows a year at a time so i think i'm going yo combine the two. Tweaks i would make... life, health, disability insurance and 401k come directly out of my paycheck so i never see that money, my mortgage includes tax and escrow. I get paid monthly so would just use the top half. Do you have a separate acct for sinking funds or do you just keep track on you spreadsheet and leave that money in your main savings?

[@FrugalFitMom]

Sinking funds stay in the main account, I just track it in the spreadsheet!

[@margal3120]

@A B Christine must have a lot more willpower than I do cuz I keep my savings or sinking funds in a different account. Some budgeting KZbinrs suggest keeping them in separate banks for even less temptation to draw from that account.

[@grayponytail]

Where do you physically put the money for your sinking funds? Would you recommend separate bank accounts or something else?

[@h06anbjo]

My budget consists of paying my bills and what's left after that I divide by half putting one half in my savings account and live on the rest until my next pay comes in the next month.. If there's money left the day before my next pay comes in, that money gets put in my savings account..

[@melissarodriguez4531]

Thank you for sharing 🙌😀

[@ashleyreed3865]

The Cleaver Fox Budget planner with the calenders is amazing. So easy. and since it's a physical item I can see (we tried spreadsheets and apps which we just forgot about) we go over it weekly.

[@ashleyreed3865]

*Clever Fox

[@angieineverettcust2934]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WILL START USING RIGHT NOW JANUARY 2022 💕💕💕

[@silverbeowulf5601]

I wish i understood but I'm finding im completely incompetent.

[@oxymoira]

i pretty much use the exact same excel sheet - i like to see the whole year too and too detailed is a waste of my minimalist time - luckily for me where i live we get paid monthly - i really don't see the point of bi-monthly - just double the work LOL ..

[@s.run.4473]

Thank you so much for sharing!🙃Can NOT believe how much money💰 you save by seeing👀 where it is all going! ..using the spreadsheet RIGHT NOW!

[@FrugalFitMom]

You are so welcome!

[@taracasper]

Loved this video! I am going to give your budget spreadsheet a whirl!

[@OurHilltopHomestead]

What is the formula for the household??

[@GoodBadBeautifulLife]

I love all the aspects of your channel! My husband and I are runners and I love hearing about your and Dave's fitness routine, we're working on getting out of debt so I love your frugal and budget tips, and I'm trying to cut our grocery budget and cook more from home so I LOVE your cooking videos!

[@FrugalFitMom]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@stacycurtis3073]

We use YNAB. Major life changer!

[@lumachinomenolattola]

Hi Christine, what are sinking funds?

[@rebeccasladky1138]

You forgot internet. We pay $137.00!

[@MusingsofaCat10]

My husband thinks I'm a bit crazy because, like you, I LOVE payday and paying bills and doing our budget every week 😂

[@FrugalFitMom]

Me too!!

[@rjsmiley89]

Hey how do you help kids save that would be a great video

[@artransue]

What would you do if you get paid on a Bi-weekly schedule and it is not set dates some months i get paid 3x

[@robiniles3685]

I love these videos. I have been using Dave Ramsey’s app for years. I live in Canada so things are a little different and our cost of living seems to be way higher 😔 because I can’t get prices anywhere near your prices.

[@randijohnson3806]

We couldn't follow the suggested percentages Dave gives for years. For awhile we also lived in an area where we made so little and rent was so expensive that we paid about 40% of our income, I made up for it in other areas where we could manipulate money a bit- life food and gas, It was a difficult season, but I learned so many budget and frugal tips!

[@michellemybelle22]

I use Dave Ramsey’s free app EveryDollar on my phone. It changed our lives. This would work well too if you’re into laptops and spreadsheets instead. Having it on my phone changed everything for me though.

[@terryrusselleverydayguy1613]

How is the hubby enjoying retirement. LOL

[@esmeraldadiaz2536]

Thank you so much this was very helpful

[@karlawood5389]

Are you still using this budget soreadsheet

[@LVX03]

Could you make a video about your debt free journey please

[@heatherwells81]

what tweeks would you add for weekly payments

[@JMRN22]

This really helped. Thank you 👍

[@sarahgauthier3003]

Hey! This is super off topic but can you please tell me where you get your workout leggings from? I’m having a hard time finding ones that I like and that fit well. Thank you in advance!

[@FrugalFitMom]

All over! Which ones in particular?

[@melaniemoore2757]

This spreadsheet will be so helpful for me as someone who just graduated college with some student loan debt. I need to learn more about personal finance. Christine, (or anyone reading this comment!) do you have any resources or books about personal finance that you think would be helpful for someone just figuring this all out on their own? I would appreciate anything!

[@heatherkandel856]

Melanie Moore There is a great channel called The Budgeting Wife on You Tube. She is an accounting manager who is in her 20s, and she has excellent videos on finance!

[@GemsOfGrace]

I am not a numbers person by any stretch of the imagination and having a budget just doesn’t come natural to me... however, I know I NEED to start budgeting and get wiser with money matters. Thank you for this video!! Appreciate your wisdom and tips.❤️

[@Narbyful]

I have a question: Again, I'm sorta new to your videos: Do you thrift shop clothing? I'm just getting into watching older videos. Haven't seen that yet in your library of videos. You mentioned kids outgrowing clothing, and thrift stores are starting to open back up again. I have thrifted about 95% of the clothes my boys wore and still wear. They are tall (even when little) but even so, I've been able to get new with tag or great gently used stuff for years.

[@LippyHousewife]

Budgeting gives me such anxiety but it’s definitely time to but my big girl pants on. Great tips excited to actually sit down and use this spread sheet! Wish me luck 😬

[@keithbrookshire]

I started using a budgeting program 7 months ago, about the time I found your channel. It looks a lot like your budget. In that time I've paid off over $6,000 in credit cards and have a zero credit card balance now. I also have a small emergency fund plus enough set aside for a month's bills. Those are things I never thought I could do before budgeting.

[@kellytoycow]

The excel nerd in me loved this video! ❤️ thank you for sharing easy to understand budgeting and living by example. I get so tired of you tubers who get on the budget bandwagon, but you can tell by their habits they have no clue what a balanced household budget means or what it’s like to set financial goals. Now, I’m off to go make some of your chicken taquitos cause, we’ll please, they looked yummy!

[@margal3120]

Thanks for the tips on savings for house and car maintenance! I feel like I heard that in another of your videos lol but I’m going to add it to my budget right now! And Christmas and birthday savings duh! I just re-did my budget; well no matter I had all this extra lol I guess I’m not as cash happy as I thought lol 🤪

[@OurHilltopHomestead]

Love this video!!!!

[@UtahTabby]

typo on spreadsheet -- Kids "Activities" -- not that it matters but I think I have OCD and notice things like that. I really like this spreadsheet. Best I have seen with the sinking funds.

[@alison12171]

Ahh I’m really excited to work on this tonight. I’ve been trying to figure out a budget to pay off some credit card debt so this is perfectly timed for me! Thank you!!!

[@quileter]

Don't know if you have gone through this or not. But if you have. Can you talk about how you budgeted to pay student loans while providing for family and kiddos.

[@valenciamaribel]

😭😭😭😭 I wish I would have seen this yesterday. I just bought a digital budget workbook last night. Thank you for another great video!

[@bsmithremmick]

You're missing groceries? Did I miss this in the video? LOL

[@FrugalFitMom]

It's in the cash breakdown

[@wondergalc431]

If you only get 1 income once a month it's a little different. But good video

[@FrugalFitMom]

We used to be that way for the first several years of marriage

[@kristinvaneck3752]

I'd love to see more family finance videos. What are you teaching your kids about money and finances?

[@hadasgoldfarb5571]

How do you adjust this if you don’t get a set amount each paycheck?

[@FrugalFitMom]

I make my best guess based on past experience and change the numbers that month when they actually come in.

[@keisha_j]

Your budget sheet is fantastic! Would love more videos on budgets and personal finance. ☺️

[@ks810]

Hey Christine, how do you add the tabs for your sinking funds and cash withdrawals? I’m seeing your tabs at the bottom.

[@FrugalFitMom]

You just click the "add sheet" button at the bottom!

[@ks810]

Got it thank you 😊

[@KC-zn1mg]

Your spreadsheets look awesome! I so will come back to this when I begin working after college. I am so sending this to a friend who i think will love it!