HOW WE BUDGET||LIVING ON ONE INCOME||TAKE CHARGE OF EVERY DOLLAR

We recently got a bunch of questions on how we've managed to become more financially free. I am sharing today how we budget and live off of one income. It hasn't always been easy but taking charge of our money has helped us so much in having freedom.
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[@megan6574]

My husband works and I stay at home and homeschool. We deffinately struggle, but being able to keep our kids homeschooled makes it so worth it!

[@GraceandGrit]

Megan amen!

[@Renewed85]

Same here. We have had the conversation of day care. And revisited. But, nope. I'm home with our kids and he works outside the home.

[@megan6574]

@Mentally Me good luck, you got this!! 🤗

[@annriegel9968]

One thing we do that I find helpful is to have a 2nd checking account for the large bills that happen seasonally (property tax, vehicle/ Home insurance bills, heating oil) We put a set amount in that account at each pay. It gives peace of mind having that money readily available when it's needed.

[@GraceandGrit]

Ann Riegel yes! Great tip

[@mamas010]

Great tip , I'm going to do this! Thank you!!

[@annriegel9968]

@@mamas010 Glad you found it helpful!

[@jefferyalpha803]

I transfer money to savings when we start building up in checking so we can earn a little interest off of the money. Then, I transfer the money back into checking if we need to when the big bills come. It's worked great for us, but I like the idea of a second checking, too.

[@calminthechaos990]

We do it pretty similarly, but we also have a sinking fund. That's another tip we got from Dave Ramsey. We use that for recurring things like Christmas, birthdays, car insurance, homeschool curriculum, zoo membership, etc. I have a total amount for each and then I figure out how many months I have to save that much. So for Christmas, we start in January and then have the full year to save. For car insurance, our premium is every 6 months so it's divided that way. If our car insurance is $600 for a 6 month premium, then I know I have to save $100 every month. I take it a step further and then also break it down by pay period because my husband gets paid every 2 weeks. So for that one, I would need $50/pay period. I do that for all of those recurring expenses and I have a spreadsheet that tells me how much per pay period I need to put in the syncing fund account. That has been probably the biggest life saver when it's come to budgeting for us because when those big expenses come up we're not scrambling or having to come up with the entire amount within a month or two.

[@alegriadelsol4862]

I love that your completely debt free! Thank you for sharing your story to share that it can be done! I’m almost there too!

[@julidavis3565]

Pen and paper girl here 🙋🏻‍♀️ So much easier for me! My husband is paid once a month, so we pay all bills at the beginning and then go from there. Controlling the food/grocery budget is huge. I try to keep it at $100 a week (family of 4). Some weeks are more, but some weeks are less (thank you Aldi), so it balances out 😊 Thank you for taking the time to make videos!

[@GraceandGrit]

Juli Davis once a month would be tough!!

[@monicachen-ryan7268]

How do you keep grocery bill at $100 a week!?

[@julidavis3565]

Monica Chen-Ryan We have an Aldi and that is where I shop. Only buy what we need and I make a meal plan. Some weeks may go over a little, but for the most part, it’s $100 a week :)

[@stayathomemarine]

We are a family of 4 as well and I try to keep our grocery budget around ~350 a month. I don't buy junk food. No cereal, chips, convenience meals, etc. That is how we keep ours low. No coupons, just Kroger. Sometimes Aldi. But 90% of the time Kroger!

[@April-zh2vm]

Love this! Homeschooling mom on one income here! Would love a video on how to be at peace with being a SAHM. I have credentials to work in health care but after 2 years at home I feel a pull to work but it works best right now for me to stay home. It is a sacrifice but with kids and homeschooling a part time job seems too much for me at the moment! Lots of prayer and grace on not what's the best thing for me... But what's the best thing for our family of 5.

[@Renewed85]

Yes. Does anyone know if the video was made?

[@michaelaumbaugh339]

We do the "zero dollar" budgeting method also! We also do everything a month ahead, which is wonderful. So we let the money come in throughout the month, and then take the total income for the month, budget everything out for the next month and then go ahead and pay all the bills for that upcoming month, and the rest of the money has a home as well. We take the expected but irregularly occuring expenses and break them down by month, and then we know exactly how much to set aside to have ready for taxes, 6 month car insurance premium, car registrations, etc. Doing things a month ahead has been a game changer.

[@jaimiekight]

so proud of you! you inspire me, sister!!!

[@GraceandGrit]

JAIMIE KIGHT Thankyou friend! 💕 it was dark!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you for sharing! Love me some budgeting tips/tricks! 😊

[@cynthiadeweese4116]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I specifically asked for this an am soo grateful ❤️

[@GraceandGrit]

Cynthia DeWeese ❤️❤️❤️

[@brookchelson2435]

I just love your videos! You are so inspirational and give great advice!

[@amygrant4915]

1) we plan our budget meetings where both are involved. We have one on sunday called by my husband which never happens....please pray for me!!😂😂 2)Pen and paper girl here also! I do the old fashion Dave Ramsey. We do the cash system for a lot of our categories. Grocery, fun money and allowances for my husband and I. The only thing that can get rolled over per month is our allowances. We can't tell the other what to do with it. Anything that left other from other categories goes to a separate account for extra spending( vacation, Christmas is done with all cash, etc.

[@GraceandGrit]

Amy Grant praying for your meeting!

[@amygrant4915]

Thanks! We have about 4 a year but never initiated by the hubby! Its strange but I am glad he is taking more initiative!❤

[@DavisR111812]

Thanks so much for sharing! This was heaven sent as I was just talking with my husband about needing a new budget method. ♥️♥️♥️

[@GraceandGrit]

Lynzi Rasmussen hope it helps you!!

[@MikeKendrickMusic]

Very similar to how we do it. Pen and paper for me. I would love to know how you find the time to go over/budget plan together and take your homeschooling etc hat off and put on the paying bills/budget hat. Sometimes I feel my head is divided unless I block schedule that time and know what the kids will be doing so I can focus on just the budget/meal planning stuff.

[@beadafully.made.]

LOVE THIS!!!!! Super helpful

[@JediMasterT]

I like how you actually addressed the fact that it doesn’t matter how much you make if your bills are higher than your income. People say well it’s just about budget, well no when your single income with 2 kids. Just eating food is super expensive.

[@amandamiller9508]

Almost exactly how we budget! Thanks for the video! ☺️

[@breearr1953]

Love this! Pretty much exactly what we do!

[@CreatingEssence]

So much excellent wisdom. Thank you for sharing!

[@GraceandGrit]

Creating Essence Thankyou for watching ❤️

[@tiffanyhutchins2627]

Love watching all your videos!! Definitely pen and paper girl here!! I need to see what I’m working with!!

[@amyfann2881]

Thanks for sharing! We budget very similarly. We have two lists of bills and those come out of the corresponding paycheck and we budget our needs that we can foresee and then the rest we either save if we are saving for something or send to debt.

[@jessicarutledge8050]

We budget basically the same way. We became debt free (except the mortgage) in the first half of 2019. My husband left his second job for a little peace with the understanding that we will now sell our house to lower the monthly expenses. Of course right after that, we had about $8k of unexpected expenses that totally wiped our savings. So we may be forced into a small rental to build that back up before purchasing another home. At least we don't have that $54k other debt rolling with us!

[@diaryofahomeschoolmama9191]

This is very helpful!! Thank you!

[@amandam4537]

Love this! Thank you for sharing.

[@OneMamaToAnother]

We used to budget the same way that you do but about 3 years ago we switched to using YNAB. Living on last months income has been so freeing for me. I don't have to worry about coordinating bill payment dates with paydays anymore and having that one month's income as a buffer gives me peace of mind.

[@GraceandGrit]

One Mama To Another I need to research that. Sounds great!

[@lovelysweetivy]

Loved this video! Your budgeting sounds alot like it's too. We have 4 bank accounts, and every check gets divided up in to bills, cash (for groceries, gas and spending cash) sinking funds, and emergency funds.

[@thatcoolcanadianfamily1224]

Thanks for sharing that info with us !

[@anniegray6277]

You are such a wise mama! Love your videos ❤️

[@GraceandGrit]

Annie Gray thanks so much!

[@PrincessDiamondCut]

This video was very helpful. I now know that I need to allocate every dollar or I will spend it. I’ve messed up my budget for January and February. All my bills got paid but the leftover is where I missed it. Like I need to use some of March leftover to cover what I overspent in February. 💙💜💚💛🧡

[@GraceandGrit]

S Young hey it happens! March isn’t too far away!

[@hg-tm6gn]

Another great video! You have so many great tips!

[@GraceandGrit]

h g Thankyou!!

[@BlueLotus1]

I Love How Your Emphasis On Budgeting Without Enough Money. It Will Not Work!🙌🏼🙌🏼👏🏽👏🏽💯

[@valerienitz3240]

Thank you for this video! I am not alone out there. It is so so hard being a one income family and having lots of children it does cost. But, you make budgeting easy. I will have to say that I never learned about finances and money management and my husband and I have suffered so much not knowing how to handle our money. It has taken us about 13 years to finally see that it is not the paycheck but us. I am bad with just using the debt card and not checking before to see if we have money to spend. I like how you have a system where how you spend your money. Oh! and trying to budget with groceries is hard for me right now with a family of 7. My kids are growing and eat more, I don't have a discount grocery store and it can be hard in this area. I want to spend about $100 a week on food but I end up with very little for $100 trying to feed a family of 7, plus healthy food is so much more in cost. I am praying for God to help me in this area.

[@MissBurr1]

Watch on the food packages what they recommend for a serving.....that is what they need.Those debit cards are way too conveinent....keep that thing in the purse and use cash...watch all the youtube vids you can on ways to save on food..Beans and rice and cornbread is what we was raised on...Homemade buscuits and gravy, grits , oatmeal, use meat as a condiment, not as a main dish.study up on menu planning on yt......lots of great info.......Be happy, best to you

[@GManthereviewer]

Thank you!

[@valeriemorris5335]

thanks Ashlee, we do our budget the same way. I like to see everything written out !!! Can't wait to see you and your family in your new house, You must be so excited. God Bless you. Oh I watch The Fall Co family on youtube. She mentioned she is speaking at the Good and the beautiful conference also. She is excited that you are going

[@GraceandGrit]

Valerie Morris yes I love beautiful syreena! I can’t wait to hug her!

[@blondestyleslife3017]

We are a two income family out of necessity. We’ve never zeroed out our budget and I think that’s smart. I know our bank requires a minimum amount in checking so I guess we can consider that minimum zero. Lol Good tips! Thank you!

[@GraceandGrit]

Blonde Styles Life yes our zero is 5$

[@aliciacatherineegan]

Great video!

[@hannahdurrant3493]

Thanks for the tips! Where is your grocery budget? Is that under bills or is it part of your “flex money”? I feel like that number fluctuates each shopping trip.

[@kloves2471]

Great video! I have a quick question, and maybe I didn't quite understand. You mentioned for your "other" category you take it out of your account, so that your account zeros out. Does that mean you have cash on hand for your "other" category, or a separate checking account? Or are you just mentally picturing your account at zero (meaning all extra funds are going into savings and all that is left in your account is what your budgeting for your bills and "other spending") Does that make sense? I feel like I'm not explaining my thoughts very well, lol.

[@jhullender3046]

Thank you for this! We are so close to being debt free but keep having very large unforseen setbacks (4 ER visits last year 😳). But I am determined. Budgeting closer than I ever have and making sacrifices. If all 6 of us can stay out of the ER this year I know we can make it! 😅 Thanks for the inspiration!

[@GraceandGrit]

J Hullender praying it’s so!

[@alohadani123]

Do you have a grocery budget? Thanks for sharing your budget tips and method! We run our household similarly; my husband brings home the $ and I take care of all the finances. We recently sold our house too, so have been really trying to tackle the best way to better manage our finances/debts etc so it’s really helpful to hear how other, one-income families tackle it!

[@GraceandGrit]

Danielle Stubbs we budget groceries as a bill!

[@jessicadormi8928]

Great video 😊

[@TheWildHaven]

I saw a video of yours where you spoke about your internet filter you use but can't find it now. Can you link that or tell me how to find it?

[@coupe_dville]

Good information 💜💛💜💛

[@mollydavis755]

Thank you so much for this video!! You inspire me in so many ways!! When you say you 0 out your account, do you take out all spending money in cash?

[@GraceandGrit]

Molly Davis yes:)

[@HeatherLucas865]

Grace and Grit Ashlee your bank lets you zero it out? I don’t think ours does that. I’ll have to check!

[@meganmorgan7491]

We are going back and forth with homeschooling. I’ve stayed home with my children up until now. They are going on 5 and the other is 2 1/2. But after recurring bills we have about $800 a month so it makes me sad that it probably won’t be an option for us.

[@Megt0tes]

We budget exactly the same, down to who does the bill paying and such!

[@heatherbigelow9141]

We budget IDENTICALLY, right down to the paper notebook!! Lol

[@GraceandGrit]

Heather Bigelow I thought I was the only one 😂

[@janamishra5011]

Ashley, did you follow Dave Ramsey's books then in the past to help yourselves become debt free, or what books do you recommend on this subject???

[@GraceandGrit]

no, we just learned his basic principles and then implemented what we felt was valuable!

[@heathermicola3894]

We live in a rural town that has lower housing costs and bought a foreclosed fixer upper so it was very inexpensive to pay cash for it. We still do have car payments because my husband would rather put the money in savings then pay them off early.

[@GraceandGrit]

Heather Micola cash for a house? That’s amazing!

[@heathermicola3894]

It was about the amount of most people’s down payment 😄

[@martinsmuskokafarm9268]

Will you be moving into new house? Or renting out? :) We moved to a new town to a fixer upper and also able to afford a rental. Moved twice in 3 years plus income house. Saved and last june we were able to move back to the original town we loved. Sacrificed alot with 4 kids.

[@angelanicole3149]

Would love to be able to stay at home you are blessed

[@heyitsajiid]

Very inspiring, to say the least 😏

[@afroditigreekmom]

I created a spreadsheet and keep track of our budget that way. I restarted a new one in January. I just started the spreadsheet to create a budget for money that we are saving for, such as trips, Christmas, after school activities. Are you saving for retirement? Is that in the budget?

[@GraceandGrit]

Afroditi C I cant give too much info there but our retirement is already completely handled.

[@afroditigreekmom]

No, please I understand, but I always like to mention it, because we can't always worry about now, but should include our future. I just learned this in the last ten years. I wish someone had shared this with me in my twenties, I would have made better choices with my money. @@GraceandGrit

[@Thenewt166]

love your home decor, how do you do it on a budget?

[@Veronica_Esterhuyse]

Money making man 🤣 Yep, we have one of those too. ❤️

[@GraceandGrit]

Veronica Esterhuyse 😂😂

[@arwenrosalie3031]

Man I came here hoping you or others would share numbers. Because It is tough. Cant stop thinking how you can afford a super cute haircut and awesome hair lol not hating girl I just wish that was possible in my case. Of course everyone budget is dofferent.

[@stephanieboone86]

Where do you place you food in the budget?

[@GraceandGrit]

Stephanie Boone bill

[@tiffanytunoa7240]

Pen and paper but right now we are one income and really just enough for bills 😩. We do have some savings so been using that for food.

[@Know3s]

I feel this 😭

[@StephanieMT]

we are not able to be a one income family anymore and we barely did it in the past. i will have to get my first job at 28. and i will be homeschooling too. we have 6 kids and 2 of them are sick and we are both in debt so its a struggle.

[@GraceandGrit]

stephanie turpen my heart goes out to you.

[@mistyclark3449]

So, are y'all paying cash for this new home? I ask because I know it is common among those of us who are debt free to be consumer debt free but I have not seen anyone on KZbin pay cash for a home. (We are debt free including our home and tried for a few years to save to pay cash for a different home. However, our children have some ongoing health issues and we started retirement late so that is where our extra is going right now.) Great job for getting debt free! If you are paying cash for this next house I would love tips on how you did it.

[@GraceandGrit]

Misty Clark no we are debt free currently while the home is built. Then we will have a mortgage. Which I’m fine with:)

[@CombsKrewe]

We are personally in our hard time financially. We are trying our best and doing all the things everyone says to do but I am not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. 😔

[@GraceandGrit]

CombsKrewe hugs! Stay diligent it will come!

[@euniceduran2104]

You seem to do things very similar to Dave Ramsey. Is there a reason why you don't use the Every dollar app?

[@GraceandGrit]

Eunice Duran I prefer pen and paper over all electronic things. I also don’t subscribe to every thing he says should be done.

[@angelikalaser7778]

4 ads in under 10 minutes is too much

[@caracavalier6344]

What does your husband do?

[@kristijones3307]

Very basic information. I was hoping for something a bit less obvious.