How I Keep My Budget Simple | Personal Budgeting Tips

[@hayleae.450]

Happy New Year🎉 wishing you good fortune on all your financial journeys! Here’s a reminder to everyone not to forget about putting money aside for tax season coming up in April (also your Roth IRA contribution deadline for the year)! Also take some time to review the small things: Is your savings in a high yield account? Are you paying for subscriptions you don’t need? Do you have your local grocery stores app to clip coupons? Are you using cash back apps, like Fetch? Best wishes all!❤

[@NicholasGarofola]

Better than I could have said any of this, all great advice. Thanks Haylea!

[@mat33]

For new budget users I wouldn't recommend that categories be so simplified. Knowing exactly what your money is going to is so important when learning how to budget, and that takes detailed categories and time to keep up with. Once someone is well versed in what they spend for essentials, especially fixed expenses, then it can get much easier and a simplified version is great. If you are reading this and starting out budgeting, then let this be your goal to get to. Know your budget so well inside and out that you can't make life easier and even declutter your budget! Good video!

[@wesleystorr]

One of the reasons to keep 3-6 months of expenses in emergency cash reserve is because that’s typically how long it takes for a disability policy to kick in. In the event you become disabled and can’t work, you have something to cover until insurance kicks in. Thanks Nicholas, always appreciate your content!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much!!

[@caasquinhaa]

1:22 Simplify categories 3:04 Use technology wisely 5:30 Emergency fund priority 6:50 Round Up & Down

[@emberk39]

Ive been budgeting since 2009, and this is all solid good wisdom. If you've never budgeted, its so worth it!

[@joebashour]

Rounding (down or up) is definitely a great way to remain proactive with the budget. Thanks for sharing, Nicholas. Cheers!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!

[@yellit1975]

I use the Kakeibo method. You start with Income, Fixed Expenses, Savings and what’s left. Then during the month all spending is in 1 of 4 categories; Needs like food, Wants like a new video game, Cultural like a movie and Unexpected, like something breaking. Then at the end of the month I review how I spent my money and how happy I am about the spending. Congrats on the ‘sort of’ sponsorship.

[@MonethSato]

Hi i live here in japan and i use kakeibo too but now we start with income , savings, fixed expenses and then the tsumitate. Tsumitate is separating smaller amounts for the irregular expenses and or want you want to buy in the future.

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

*kakebo

[@NicholasGarofola]

I actually like that, really simple. Might try something like this in the future, thanks!

[@yellit1975]

@@NicholasGarofola Yes, I like to keep my life as simple as possible.

[@IM-eq9gx]

Something similar should be taught in US middle schools as electives again. Besides cooking in a kitchen with a full set of sharp utensils, I remember budgeting introduced in a short portion of the quarter that included finances like simple and compounding interest. This was late 80's, you can forget about the kitchen with the type of students we have now, but maybe it's still doable for the old elementary school GATE students or AA class students. But definitely the safer home economics classes should be mandatory at least in middle school since these schools are less equipped than say the high schools with more variety of trade school/vocational electives. Standardizing middle school electives with necessary life skills preps everyone instead of making it optional electives or an after school program in the high school level.

[@austinalexander238]

Sure you get this a lot, but you remind me so much of Keanu Reeves. Thanks for the tips! Just seeing your place makes me feel calmer already. Definitely going to check out your more of your stuff 🙏🏻🤙🏻

[@Shabudgets]

Awesome!! Best thing I got from this that I will apply asap is rounding up and rounding down !! How easy yet not thought of, for me at least , and it seems like it will be so helpful! Great video

[@bertlemoi431]

Dude, you don't even know how much I hate having to budget for everything. It's exaclty the reasons you laid out in the video. Situations change and having to account for all eventualities... That's not how I want to manage my money. I think I'll try your approach for the next two months. I think it will work better for me. Thanks for the video. PS: First video I saw of you. I like your style, so definitely gained a new sub!

[@juanj1557]

Nick, i have to say thank you because this year was the best year of my life and even tho you don't know me, you've help me a lot. Really, thank you.

[@NicholasGarofola]

I appreciate the kind words, and thank YOU as well 🙌🏻

[@amarashy7013]

Thank you for the positive cc usage talk soooo many financial ppl out there talk so negatively about it but I think if used responsibly it can be an effective way to utilize points and cash back…. I also appreciate the fact that creating an emergency fund which is doable im hugging your channel rn!!!! 😊

[@samyafawz3695]

Thank you for the value I got from this video: round up the outs and round down the ins .. simplify the categories ... I love your simplicity strategy .. it works perfectly with my brain .. I appreciate you sharing .. with my best wishes

[@NicholasGarofola]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cedieroddick]

Nice for you to be recognized by Apple

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Faustian bargain, but I am pleased for him

[@mirasolabogadil9746]

This is the first time I heard someone mention rounding up and down.. I do that with my paycheck and some bills, too. It really does help ❤

[@jujunalua]

Hey Nick, wish you a happy new year with lots of happiness around you and your loved ones, thanks for being a great teacher during this year!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Happy new year to you too, and thanks for all the kind comments this year 😄

[@misslemu]

I love your channel Nick. You've taught me several strategies that have helped me minimize and save money.

[@andrewk473]

Wow, thanks! Incredibly helpful. You suggested things that I've never heard before. I really like the idea of simplifying spending categories and plan to do that as well as many of the others.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks as aways!

[@eduardcruz3544]

I love how minimalist this vid is

[@DubaiCashStuffer1]

Interesting to see how you have simplified your budget. I enjoy cash stuffing and breaking everything down specifically. One of my goals for this year is to fully fund my emergency fund.

[@kjandu]

Nice video man. I can tell you put a lot of thought into the filming, making it stand out from other “talk in front of the screen” videos

[@NicholasGarofola]

I appreciate that!

[@AnnieGill7]

Awesome about the iPad Pro! Hope you enjoy it. I like the title, “Essentials!”, sounds so much better than, “Fixed.” Keep making these fun to watch vids.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Definitely sounds less intimidating that way. Have a great new year! 😄

[@IsabellaJohnson-k6e]

You are the first person I run across who ever mentions rounding up or down in a budgeting sense. I also use that mentality when ever I buy something on sale. I pretend I am spending the full amount. Example I buy something that is on sale for 25% off $100. I’ll theoretically spend $100 still by taking the difference and putting it in the savings account. Most the time at the store, the sale is there to trick you into just buying more stuff you didn’t need or want.

[@thomasbrocatello1809]

Wow! Recognised by apple is amazing, congratulations. Love these videos, need to get back on my budgeting after transitioning from a student to a full time worker and moving out. This will help!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much!!

[@samueltremblay275]

You surely mentioned the round up and down principle because I use it the first time I watched the video you mentioned it. That was a game changer for me because this was both very practical to save a lot of money when you do a lot of transactions and much easy to sum up when you do it on paper. I followed your rule of round up to 5$ so even if I buy a simple pack of gum at 1.59$, I round up the transaction to 5$.

[@NicholasGarofola]

It’s incredibly useful!

[@JoanneCourtemanche]

Great video Nick! I am going to use your rounding up/down method! Brilliant!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Hi Joanne!!

[@SamuelVincent-w5q]

awesome video. wrote these practices down in my notes and i cannot wait to explore them

[@dandm20]

My favorite part was the almost little smile at the end. Great video as always.

[@idkofany]

Apple noticing you is pretty sick! Congrats! Great video!

[@tehmorninstah]

I've been trying to survive with my last paycheck from September ever since I got fired. This kind of content you create is what keeps me going, along with some one-time gigs I chase. Glad I've discovered your channel. And as always, great vid. Coffee brewing B-Roll was my favourite part, great technique with that scene!

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Hope you find another job soon. Things will turn around, they always do. Stay tough!

[@sjchan3199]

Sorry to hear that. Hope things start looking up soon. Have a look at frugal queen in france. Under the median, frozen pennies. They can all have helpful tips and tricks

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks for sticking around for so long, always appreciate the kind words. Hope things look up for you soon and I wish you luck in the new year 🙌🏻

[@RhiannonT01]

Happy New Year Nick! Thanks for all the great content this past year, and I hope 2024 will be good to you & the channel!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks Rhiannon! Appreciate all the support this year 🙌🏻

[@eolkhou]

lovely video, finally i can save efficiently been struggling for years. Btw i love your aesthetic

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you 😄

[@AdamGbl95]

I love the idea of percentage based budgeting because the number will change with lower/ higher income and it always keeps you properly aligned. Something like 20% for investing, 20% for bills, 20% for fun, 40% for emergencies. (Or however you see best to arrange it). This motivated you to cut unnecessary expenses to match that percentage and make more money......(20% of % $4k/mo = $800, 20% of $6k/mo is $1,200). And you dont really compromise any other areas of the budget when income increases because each item is restricted to that percentage.... allowing you to gauge how much you can increase your lifestyle with each increase

[@katsweeterly2039]

Amazing video! Commenting for reach but also for the beautiful videography, the shots of your cat and that I spotted the same pheromone dispenser in your home that we also have for our furbaby.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Good eye! Definitely have seen her sniffing around it when we first put it there 😄 thanks so much for the kind words!!

[@muhindipersly3722]

Thank you for this informative video on personal budgeting tips. As recommended by KZbin , this is a gamechanger in upgrading my financial status . basically the video demands a thumbs up , I liked it .

[@NicholasGarofola]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mandyadams918]

Thanks Nicholas - great video. Happy New Year.

[@aqua_ente6254]

got randomly drawn into this video and have to admit beside it is so beautiful form a creative pov its helpfull and inspiring. Thanks mate! I will try some things you mentioned

[@NicholasGarofola]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mileko-fv5pb]

Thx you so much. Your tips have really helped me get focused.

[@KaraHendricks]

Thanks Nick Cage.

[@CyanMoth]

I've always wondered and I don't mean any disrespect by it but what's your occupation? Love the videos I've used many of your ideas to improve my life 😊

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much! I’m a video editor for my day job 😄

[@FutureGrowAcademy]

❤ Awesome Video as always! 🌟 I really enjoyed the way you explained it. Tips For Creating An Effective Budget- 1. Know The Purpose Of Your Budgeting 2. Make an Irregular Expense Plan 3. Know Your Income 4. Determine Your Monthly Spending 5. Set Reasonable Goals 6. Track Your Spending 7. Try Out Different Budgeting Plans 8. Create An Emergency Fund 👉 Stay connected & keep up the great work.

[@napadaanlng69]

can you please also make a video on how to save and buy things you want?

[@minttul.8237]

Thanks again, great content as usual😊 (Ps: Give less water for your Monstera plant😉)

[@sarasoueidan]

Is Apple trying to convert you into an iPad Pro user? :p I’ve just received my iPad mini a couple of days ago and already love the form factor. I hope they consider making a pro version of the mini and just don’t discontinue it in favor of larger iPads.

[@NicholasGarofola]

I’ll prefer the Mini for as long as it exists no question, no changing my opinion on that 😅. And a pro model would be a great idea! Thanks as always Sara!!

[@lauragomezllanos2916]

Just updated my budget today hehe ❤ I would love a simpler approach but sometimes I feel like I need the details.

[@Kyla94934]

I was just thinking how i hadnt seen a new video from you in a while and was wondering if i missed one. Nice that you were recognized by apple!

[@BradMcquaidd]

I have 4 categories - 1. Monthly expenses (recurring every month) 2. Biweekly expenses 3. Weekly expenses 4. Others

[@elizabethdouglas]

Super helpful video! You always havesuch great ideas for simplifying life systems!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks Elizabeth!

[@Jupiterape]

Great video! Can I ask what monitor stand you have? I don’t see it in your gear list and I’m looking for a stand for my 27” benq monitor.

[@BudgetsWithELMA]

Wonderful budget breakdown 😊❤

[@ns2953]

Happy New Year Nicholas you grow more and more in your field stay safe satisfied and happy forever, god bless you 😇✌🏼❄️

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much, and happy new year 🙌🏻

[@wanderinghome9979]

Thumbs up and subscribed…. And I’m going to forward to one of my sons who will benefit from your measured approach. Thanks :)

[@pushkar6016]

Thanks Jesus for helping me in my life also your content quality is underrated af!!

[@NicholasGarofola]

I appreciate that!

[@TheBudgetMarine]

Great video I’m new to the budgeting community currently 24 in the military debt free with over 30k saved up doing cash stuffings and showing other ways to save 😁❤️

[@braxtonbisceglia5195]

Dude I agree with the credit card points. I have never paid interest on my cards but just ordered a $2,000 dresser for my bedroom ALL with points

[@NicholasGarofola]

That’s awesome!!

[@jorges2000]

What do you use in your hair? It's always on point 👍

[@henriquecogo8075]

Incredible video!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!

[@shubhamsgill]

Thank you so much,sir.. your videos are healing to watch

[@eringreenberg240]

Happy New Year to you! Thank you for your videos!!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you for sticking around so long!

[@eringreenberg240]

@@NicholasGarofola Absolutely! Congrats on your channel growth!!

[@laurengeneveve8257]

Hi Nicholas can you make a video on your new ergonomic chair. Or in other words your new desk setup.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Working on it!

[@joshuaalharrison]

@@NicholasGarofola What chair is it, btw?

[@mujtabajuya8499]

your videos sound great. What mic do you use Nicholas? Thanks.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Zoom H4N recorder

[@ONLY1KUDWE]

The rounding up process is something I've done as well.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Very useful!

[@JosephDickson]

I use the 50/30/20 budget. I split my net pay up to 50% needs / up to 30% Wants / and 20% retirement investment. This is the method popularized by Elizabeth Warren.

[@virgafe5255]

Bro, I loved this and I'm definitly taking something away from this. I also made sure to send it to my personal finance teacher, ig I'll just have to see what she says lol

[@GreyStreet14]

Hey Nick! What's that beautiful field or flieger you are wearing? Please. Thank you! Happy new year!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Timex Expedition

[@GreyStreet14]

@@NicholasGarofola Thank you

[@MelinaPPB]

Another great video. Thanks!

[@kameko.studio]

Saying “punch the subscribe button square in the face” just made me a subscriber

[@GigaChadBigW]

thanks for this year

[@budgetingdaddyuk6761]

Amazing video.

[@tiashadae1143]

Great insights thank you!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks Tia!

[@autobotdiva9268]

cash back is awesome from credit cards!

[@LarsDahlin]

Thank you for a great video and a really - I mean really - great channel. "Tack så mycket", as we say in Swedish!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks so much for being here for so long Lars! Always appreciate hearing from you 🙌🏻

[@angelbudgets]

Love the video! ❤ new subscriber!

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks for subbing!

[@vikkienos6807]

Well done.

[@sebastianrivera2564]

Do you recoomend any keyborad for iPad mini?

[@chouaib_kr]

ty

[@yourprincesslola]

Where did you get the little guy? 😊

[@Dave-FIREd]

I don't believe you mentioned it in the video, but do you use any software for aggregating accounts and managing your budget?

[@NicholasGarofola]

Hmm not yet. Haven’t found any I like

[@Dave-FIREd]

@@NicholasGarofola Interesting... So, when you talk about categorizing transactions, using technology wisely, syncing your different accounts together and "seeing everything on one screen", how/where are you doing all that then? I don't understand how you are budgeting or categorizing anything without using some sort of software. Your video wasn't very clear on that. All your videos are excellent and very interesting, but this one fell a bit short for me in trying to understand the details. 😊

[@NicholasGarofola]

@@Dave-FIREd I use Chase bank, and the Chase app allows me to link my investment accounts (Fidelity, Vanguard) and see them all from the Chase app itself… hope that makes a little more sense 😅

[@Dave-FIREd]

@@NicholasGarofola Ah! OK. I have a couple Chase cards and didn't realize they let you do that. I've started playing around with Empower (fka. Personal Capital) which lets you aggregate all your accounts and has nice investment tracking, retirement planning and budgeting features. All for free. But of course... Anytime you're using a free product, YOU are the product! 🤨

[@muggin4life]

Everybody’s gone surfin, surfin USA

[@maryamnasser1979]

Bigger iPad gave me carpal tunnel symptom. I wished I bought iPad mini

[@bellamckendree]

Thanks for the advice Nicholas :) Jesus wants you to know Him ❤

[@MrCaliman87]

I want to be better at budgeting but my struggle is my paychecks are never the same. I’m in sales and my income is funded by commissions. Anyone have insights on how to budget that would be great

[@J.Ilene.]

Is there a certain amount in sales you consistently make each week/month? I would go based on that number. So if you know that each month you consistently make $3000 then budget based off that amount. Like he mentioned, you can also round down the paycheck, you know you’ll probably make $3000 but assume you’ll make $2,500 so you have a buffer.

[@samuelsimon5966]

Since a kid I’ve been haunted by visions of having nothing 😩😭

[@Hugmarshallify]

What is your computer screen please ?

[@NicholasGarofola]

LG Ultrafine

[@Hugmarshallify]

@@NicholasGarofola really nice thanks man

[@lediemayang]

❤‍🔥

[@rym6829]

Dude you look like Ryan Bingham from the show YellowStone. xD

[@melodyqueen8440]

#finance

[@sophiedark4843]

You are so handsome, your video was very informative thank you very much 😊

[@kintukteekreetukpum]

👇nice🎉🎊🥰❤️🙏🇹🇭

[@sauravharsh]

Man's slowly turning into Hozier

[@NicholasGarofola]

One of my favorites

[@past-ye9hj]

Show us your cat!!

[@Giuseppe_Paolillo]

I make finance videos. And yep. I talked about an emergency fund 😂

[@NicholasGarofola]

Nothing wrong with covering the basics!

[@Giuseppe_Paolillo]

@@NicholasGarofola agree on the fact that saving for emergency fund for 6 month is though. Even with a 50% saving rate means that you are probably saving for an entire year before moving to anything else.

[@RodrigoHernandez-tn7xw]

Frst time i see someone using their own criteria instead of just following a books or copying another videos rules. Like.

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thanks!!

[@fmendezgnu]

Me, seeing this from a country with high inflation: :|

[@polunocspb4064]

Перерасход газа? Как вы бедно живёте там! У меня за газ и 1$ в России не выходит, за свет 5-8$, мобильный телефон с безлимитным интернетом 3$, налоги автоматически с зарплаты вычитаются, цена на ценниках уже с налогом, и Слава господу бесплатная медицина! простуда или рак нет разницы это бесплатно.

[@Sam-xc6gp]

please cut those hair , looks tribble

[@Doublepulse]

You are the first person I run across who ever mentions rounding up or down in a budgeting sense. I also use that mentality when ever I buy something on sale. I pretend I am spending the full amount. Example I buy something that is on sale for 25% off $100. I’ll theoretically spend $100 still by taking the difference and putting it in the savings account. Most the time at the store, the sale is there to trick you into just buying more stuff you didn’t need or want.

[@JacklynGibson-l6o]

awesome video. wrote these practices down in my notes and i cannot wait to explore them

[@NicholasGarofola]

Thank you!

[@dailytheology1689]

Thanks Nick Cage.

[@GeorgeBrian-s1g]

One of the reasons to keep 3-6 months of expenses in emergency cash reserve is because that’s typically how long it takes for a disability policy to kick in. In the event you become disabled and can’t work, you have something to cover until insurance kicks in. Thanks Nicholas, always appreciate your content!