2023 Budget PlannerĪs I reflected on where I am in my finances, I realized that writing down my budget works best for me. That’s when I learned that these were sinking fund categories. They were not really unexpected expenses I just was not budgeting for them. I bought a cash envelope wallet and cash envelopes and started stuffing for items that I considered unexpected expenses (Christmas, birthdays, car registration fees, subscriptions, medical copays, etc.). I learned about cash envelope stuffing and became a little obsessed, lol. I got serious about my finances and searched for planners, spreadsheets, and other budgeting tools that would help me. I did not like feeling so dependent on my employer. Even though I hated my job, I was not prepared to pay my bills if I did lose my job. It scared me that I was not prepared for an emergency. ![]() On top of that, we were in a pandemic and people were being laid off from their jobs daily. I didn’t have any money left after paying all of my bills. It began with me writing down my bills and income on a piece of paper. I didn’t have a fancy budget planner, digital planner, or spreadsheet. My first budget was written on a sheet of paper. But I know exactly where all of my money needs to go, and I have a buffer account for unexpected expenses. There are still times that I make an impulse purchase and go over budget. During that time, I would spend more than I earned, and piled up a lot of debt. When I began my budgeting journey in 2020, the thought of creating a budget and sticking to it scared me. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do with my money after I received it, so I spent it quickly. ![]() The plan was for me to go to college, get a good job, and to make money. I was never taught how to budget and save money. While growing up, there were no discussions about money in my home.
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