Living on a Budget: The Fabulous Way

The idea of living on a budget sounds like a drag. I get it. The idea of having to “cut back” or “pinch pennies” for the rest of your life is not ideal.

However what if I told you that there is a way you can live on a budget without “Living on a Budget”.

Or better you can easily learn how to live a fabulous life on a budget.

Ok. I may have lost you. But hear me out.

Regardless of your financial situation with a little bit of planning, you can learn how to live within your means while still living a fabulous life.

But first, we need to do a little bit of homework.

Before achieving a life where you feel free of a budget well you kinda have to create a budget.

Now don't freak out. Your life doesn't have to become all about a budget.

It's a lot easier than you would think. And it is the biggest step you can take towards financial freedom.

I have broken it down into a  few steps (that I personally follow) that are painless.

So let's get started.

First, you need to create a Budget

The first thing you need to do is create a budget.

There are several advantages of a balanced budget which is why we start here.

When first starting a budget you don't have to get all fancy with this.  You don't need to be a personal finance expert. A simple spreadsheet is all you need. You can download a free easy to use monthly budget printable here

And remember. The best way to start a budget is to just start.

Later on, you may consider investing in fancy software or a budget app but it truly is not necessary when you're first starting. These tools are not necessary to create a good budget.

Start by entering your income.  Be sure to consider all streams of income. If you don't have a fixed income then consider entering the minimum income you expect to earn each month.  We can talk later about what to do when you have excess income.

The process is the same regardless of whether you're creating a budget for living on your own or you're trying to figure out how to set up a household budget.

And remember. The goal is not to learn how to live when you have no money. It's about living luxuriously on a budget.

There is no one size fits all best budget to live by. Learning to live on a budget means also guaranteeing you have enough money to live on.

Separate Your Budget into Fixed, Variable and Discretionary Expenses

Next, you want to consider where you're money is going. I would recommend pulling between 3-6 months of account statements to do this.

As you enter your expenses into your budget keep in mind the following buckets.

We are doing this because later it will be easier to make changes and make tweaks that will help you live better.

Fixed Expenses

Fixed expenses are expenses that do not change. These are the same every month. So things like rent, car payments, mortgage, or student loan payments go into this bucket. If you are putting a specific amount in your savings accounts every month this should go here as well. Make a list of these items and add them to your budget.

Poor In A Private Plane Tip: When setting up your bank account make sure you have at the very minimal a checking account and saving account. The money you need to cover your monthly expenses should go into your chcecking account while everything else should automatically should be sent to your savings accounts.

At the end of the month if there is any excess automatically send it over to savings. This is the easy way to start saving passively. And if you need a little boost check out these money saving challenges to help you get started.

Variable Expenses

Variable expenses are expenses that happen every month but will vary. For example utilities, food and household goods might be examples of expenses that will occur from month to month but may be higher or lower some months.

Discretionary Expenses

Discretionary Expenses are expenses that are considered non-essential. Things like eating out, hobbies, and other activities may fall into this bucket.

Poor In a Private Plane Tip: Discretionary Expenses can be hard for most of us. But you have to be brutally honest. Don't worry about having to give up your morning coffee run if it is part of your morning routine.

At this point you're only job it to identify things that are non-essential meaning that although you feel like you can't live without it and they make you happy they are not essential to needs such as have a warm place to sleep or food in our tummies

Intermittent Expenses

Intermittent Expenses are things that happen once every so often. So for example taxes or insurance premiums may fall into this bucket.

Once you have everything down on paper it is time to start working on the next step.

How to Stick to Your Budget

Start with the Why

Why do you want to budget? Are you saving up for something? Are you trying to get out of debt?  Whatever your reason make sure to jot it down somewhere.

Maybe you can create a vision board save as a phone or computer screensaver. Whatever it is make sure that you keep whatever your why is front and center. This will help you keep your eye on the prize and not get sidetracked.

Set Inspiring Goals

Living on a budget is a lot easier when you have a goal that you're working towards. So whether you're saving up for your dream vacation or your dream house.

Maybe you're trying to pay off debt.  Or maybe you just want to pay off your mortgage.

The specific goal doesn't matter as much as the importance it has for you. Make is something that you are willing to do anything to get. And something that you can truly look forward to.

But Set Realistic Goals

Whatever your financial goals are, make them something to look forward to. Make is something that will make you feel good with you to reach that goal.  But making it something that you can realistically reach.

Once you hit that goal you can set another one. An even bigger one. So instead of setting your sights on paying off 200K in debt. Set a smaller goal of paying off your credit card debt, then move on to student loan debt, and finally, maybe your big goal is to pay off your mortgage. It is completely up to you. But set mini-goals that will help you in achieving your big goal.

Whatever it is make it good enough that you will want to work towards and not feel discouraged when you think about it.

Create a Budget Plan

So now you have everything down on paper. It is time to create a plan. Without a plan, there is no way to succeed. Now there truly isn't any rocket science to creating a budget.

You write down what you make. You write down what you spend. You hope that the difference between the two is not a negative number and you move on with life.

However usually when working these numbers out for the first time there may very well be a negative number. Or if there isn't you may be pretty close to $0.

The next logical step is to cut back right. I mean that is what budgeting is about. And unfortunately, you have two options. Make more money. Or cut back your spending.

We all do it. It kinda sucks. But it doesn't have to. You don't have to sacrifice enjoying your day to day just because you are on a budget.  By making some tweaks to your lifestyle you will be surprised at how quickly you will adjust and find ways to keep living fabulously.

Don't Forget to Have Fun

Living on a budget doesn't mean you have to lock yourself in a room and never leave.

You can learn how to live on a tight budget and still have fun.

Go Ahead! Have fun. Go out. Treat yourself. But just make sure you are doing everything in moderation.

Kick the guilt of feeling like you can't spend. You can spend. Just make sure that you are spending in moderation.

How To Realistically Start Living On A Budget

I promised you some tips on how to live on a budget fabulously. However, we need to make this realistic. So here are some areas where day to day I c still save money without making huge sacrifices.

How to Save Money Grocery Shopping

This is the biggest and also the easiest place where you can overspend as well as save. So this is where I always like to start.

How to save money on food while living on a budget?

This is where I made the biggest improvements in my budget. So instead of listing all the tips for living on a budget like don't shop when you're hungry, buy only off-brand stuff and buy in season. I am going to be realistic with you and tell you what I personally do.

My biggest most money saving tip. Shop the sales.

Shopping the sales has helped us to maintain our life on a budget without feeling like we are living on a budget.

Every week I pull out the weekly sales ad and I take a look at what is on sale.

There may be items that you always buy such as chicken, pasta, or maybe specific vegetables. Look for these items first.

So, for example, we eat a lot of chicken. So anytime the chicken is on sale I am sure to stock up. I end up saving hundreds by doing this. And I have started to figure out how often certain items go on sale. So I don't need to buy a month's worth of chicken for example. Just enough to hold me over until the next sale.

When shopping the weekly ad be on the lookout for your staples. Can goods, pasta, meats are some items that are constantly on sale in rotation so those are easy to stock up.

But Have fun with it…

I am not expecting you to survive on just chicken, rice, and beans. Once you got your staples down its time to check out what other stuff is on sale.

For example, we like steak however it can be expensive. Every so often steak goes on sale and we jump on them.  It's always a nice treat and we still keep it on budget.

Poor In A Private Plane Tip: Skip the wholesale membership. Most people will say a great way to save money is to buy wholesale. However between the membership fees, the driving and sometimes even the amount of stuff I end up tossing because it is goes bad, you have to think are you really saving.

I find if you shop the sales you can easily get the same deals if not better  at your local grocery.  Consider it. Because that can easily save you a couple of hundred each year.

Ok. So you've been saving a few bucks now that you know how to shop the sales.

BUT I need to ask and you need to ask yourself this as well.

Are you overspending on groceries?

Food can easily add up. Even if you're shopping the sales it is quite fascinating how a few items in your cart can turn into hundreds of dollars.

We need to eat. And we need to eat well. I would never advocate skimping on quality when it comes to what goes into your body. There is no reason why we all can't learn how to live well on a budget.

Buy what makes you happy and healthy.

It is very important that you are still living healthy on a budget.

However, always do an inventory. You want to make sure that you are consuming those things you are buying. If you find you are throwing out a lot of food that is spoiling for example then you may want to consider buying less or finding more ways to use up perishable.

For example, we love Arugula however we find it usually goes bad before we get to use it all. Well, we decided to just not buy it anymore. But it made us sad. So instead we started buying it again but committing to having a few ideas for meals so that we can use it all up.

Now instead of buying it every trip we only buy it once every so often and make sure we are using it up.

So make an inventory and make sure that you are truly using and consuming everything you are buying.

How much are you spending on food?

Your food budget can very well be one of the biggest line items on your budget. Whether you're a foodie, a serial snacker or, even if you're living on just the basics there are so many ways that you can save money on groceries.

Take a look at how much you're spending on food. And let's see how we can reduce that number without you going hungry.

Our goal is living and living well on a budget. And healthy living on a budget. Let's not forget that.

Ways to save money on going out

Stay home. It will save you money.

That is probably the advice that you have heard everywhere.

Yeah yeah yeah. I've heard it before. But I don't want to stay home. And I am pretty sure you don't either. So how do we find a way around this? Well with the creativity of course. But if I am going to keep it real. It is ok to

Just say no…

And you know what. I agree. However, don't completely cut things out. If you truly thrive when you are out and about then it is ok to go out. But consider how often you go out and how much you spend. Can you stand to maybe reduce your outings?

For example, if you find yourself eating out multiple times a week start by reducing that number by one. See how you feel.

If it feels ok then you can try to cut out another day. If it doesn't then that's ok. Don't cut out going out. Just be smarter about your spending when you do.

And here are some ways to do it.

If you like to go to drinks with friends…

With so many cute little bars and cafes popping up all over the place, it is hard to just say no and not go out. So if you insist on going on then consider finding places with great happy hour deals. Even NYC has some great rooftop happy hours that we go to all the time.

You can get drinks and sometimes even food without paying full price. It's a win-win. Go out. Save money. Count me in.

Find free and cheap things to do.

I am the queen of cheap. If it's cheap or free then I am there. While it is ok to splurge you will be surprised at how many free and cheap things you can do in and around your neighborhood.

A little research can go a long way. There are also local blogs that you can subscribe to that will send you emails sharing free events in your area.

If you need help finding some just shoot me an email. Always happy to help.

Ways to save money on entertainment

Want to save even more money. Here are some more things you can consider.

If you like to go to the movies…

Skip the movies and opt for a movie night in. The movies are soo expensive. And while it is ok to go every so often that whole move theatre experience adds up real quick.  And it is quite painful.

But why not plan a movie night at home instead.

Or if you want to go out find cheaper alternatives like dollar theaters, discount days (some theaters have cheap movies on specific days of the week and usually earlier in the day).

And if you're feeling adventurous why not host your own drive-in style outdoor movie.

If you like to eat out…

Food is a budget buster for me. I love to eat. And I love to eat good food.

If you're like me then you can relate. It's nice to go out to eat and eat something you cannot make at home. But how do you afford it?

If you are looking to save some cash consider these ideas when going out to eat

• Look for specials. Some restaurants will have specials on certain nights of the week. For example, I have seen Prix fixe specials as well as half-price bottles of wine at some of our neighborhood restaurants
• Skip the Appetizers and Dessert
• Or just go with appetizers and dessert and skip the entree
• Go out to eat for lunch. Lunch is usually a lot cheaper than dinner which means you can still have the experience without the big bill at the end

If you like alcohol and cocktails

I know I said that going out to eat is a huge budget buster. But let's be honest. Usually, it is because of alcohol.

Anyone else feels like their bill is mostly alcohol. Just me?? Ok. Fine.

So how can you save cash when you want to go out for a drink or two or enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

Well, I got you covered.

• BYOB. Find a restaurant that lets you bring your own wine. This will save you tons.  While some restaurants may charge a corkage fee it will still be cheaper than buying wine by the glass or bottle and you will save.
• Happy Hour is your friend. I know I already talked about happy hour but just in case you didn't hear me the first time. Happy Hour is a great way to save bucks when you want to go out drinking with your friends. Half price drinks or other specials make for a happy bank account
• Host your own wine night or cocktail making party. Have everyone bring a bottle and a snack. And don't forget the karaoke.

And here are things other people suggest but I don't agree with them.

• Pre Game. Many will recommend that you have a few drinks at home before going out.  While this sounds like a great idea here is why I think it is not a good idea.
• First, you have a higher likelihood of getting drunk. And you don't want to be that drunk friend.
• Second, when you're drunk guess what. You're going to spend more money. Because DRANKS!!!
• I only recommend pre-gaming if you are staying home. Which in that case is it really pre-gaming

If you like Netflix and Hulu and Disney + and…

What else are you going to do if you are saving money by staying home?

Binge-watch all your favorite shows of course.

However, be careful because these streaming services add up. Even if you're trying to cut the cable cord you will be surprised at how quick $10 bucks here and $20 bucks adds up.

Consider selecting one to two streaming services at a time. If you find that you are watching one over the other don't be afraid to ditch whichever service you are not watching.

Also if you are signing up for just one show consider splitting the cost with a family member or friend. Or it can be a good excuse to plan a night in with a friend who has access to the show or the movies you are dying to watch.

If you still wanna do all the things

Ok fine. So you don't want to stay home. You don't want to give anything up. We still have some options.

Consider sites like Groupon and Living Social where you can find deals on activities such as dinners, tours, paint nites, and even wine tastings.

This is a great way to still go out without spending the big bucks.

Always Remember… You Can do Things at Home

You don't have to give up on your social life in order to save money. There are plenty of things you can do at home that will save a ton of money.

Skip a date night out and plan a date night in. Some ideas.

• movie night – Pop in an old movie make some popcorn and don't forget the wine
• fancy dinner- You don't have to pay big money for a fancy surf and turf dinner. Pick up some steaks and a lobster tail in the supermarket and make your own fancy meal at home

Skip the bar and host friends at home. Some ideas

• game night- Have friends over for game night. Pokeno is a fun game we like to play with friends. Other games such as Catch Phrase, Cards Against Humanity, and Monopoly are also favorites.
• pizza making party – pick up some pre-made crusts and have your friends being the wine and ingredients and let's see who can make the best pizza
• brunch- great for the holidays or pretty much any Saturday or Sunday you pick. Make some french toast, get some sparkling wine for mimosas, and host your very own boozy brunch.

Identify the Money Pits

No matter how good you are about your budget you may still run into money pits.

The tricky thing about money pits is that you don't realize they are there until you look at your checking account and wonder where all your money went.

Here are some things to be aware of to prevent yourself from falling victim to these money pits.

• subscriptions- are you using all those subscriptions. If you're not don't be afraid to cut the cord. You can always sign up again if you want to
• kick the habit- are you a smoker? Maybe it's time to consider kicking the habit. Not only is it bad for your health but it is soo expensive. If anything consider quitting to save money. And if you don't believe me take a look at how much you're spending in a year. I am pretty sure you can do something cool with that money.

And Don't Forget to Ask. Do You Really Need It? 

Can I tell you a secret?

I love to shop. You might say I have a bit of a shopping problem. Sound familiar.

Even if you are on a budget you can shop. You can spend. But you need to spend wisely.

So you need to ask yourself a very serious question.

Are you spending wisely? Are you shopping smart? When you're shopping whether it is for necessities like food and clothes or the fun stuff (for me that is more clothes, shoes, and wine) pay close attention.

Ways to Save Money on a Tight Budget

If you find that after filling out your budget things are tight here are some things to consider. Take a look at your expenses and review them by group. Even if you live on a tight budget you may be able to at the very least move some things around to make it easier.

How to Save Money on Fixed Expenses

You may find it difficult to cut corners on fixed expenses such as your mortgage or rent. However, here is a list of some things to consider before deciding that it is impossible.

This is where you may want to get creative. The good news is that most of these things you only have to do once. Also, keep in mind there is no one sized fits all.

You may roll your eyes at some of these recommendations. However, note that they are recommendations. They are not meant to be rules that you need to follow to the letter.

I only ask that you consider them before completely writing them off. I personally haven't done any of these things however I have included ideas that either I have followed ( I will note when it is something I personally have done) or know people that I trust that have followed.

How to Save Money on Your Rent or Mortgage.

Refinance your mortgage.

If you plan on being in your current home for an extended period of time then you may want to consider refinancing your mortgage. Shop around a bit. Take a look at interest rates. If they are significantly lower than the current rate you are paying then it may be a good idea to consider refinancing.

We refinanced and cut our rate down big time. We ended up saving hundreds of dollars a month by doing this. Just make sure to do your homework before signing on the dotted line. There are a number of fees that are associated with refinancing. You want to make sure that you will be saving in the long run.

Consider finding a cheaper place to live

Whether you rent or own sometimes we bite off more than we can chew. This can be anything from living in a fancy neighborhood that we can barely afford to opt for the two-bedroom when we only need a one-bedroom.

Be realistic. While it is nice to have more space or live in a trendy neighborhood consider the alternatives. For example, there may be an up and coming neighborhood nearby that is on the verge of being just as trendy but is significantly cheaper.

Or ask yourself. Do you really need all that space? How many times have you read a book in the den? Ate in your formal dining room. Or used that guest room. This is the time to be brutally honest. While it is nice to have extra space sometimes we truly don't need it.

We personally chose to downsize to a one-bedroom. It was hard at first. We needed a guest room and an office. However, when we started to add up the cost it is actually cheaper to offer to pay for a hotel room for our guests.  (Most just sleep on an air mattress in our living room).

And since we don't work from home more than 1-2 days a week having a designated office space while nice is not necessary.

Other ways to reduce your rent/mortgage

Consider getting a roommate.

If you have the extra space that you're not using at the moment but are not ready to give it up yet then you can consider getting a roommate. This doesn't have to be forever. But whether you rent or own this can help you either pay down your mortgage or set aside money for another goal you might have.

Negotiate with your landlord

When it comes time to sign a lease sometimes it is worth it to talk to your landlord. If you have been living in the same apartment for a bit of time sometimes a landlord would prefer to keep their good tenants by giving them a break instead of risking losing them and getting a tenant that will cause them problems.

Feel it out. Talk to your landlord. You never know what might happen.

How to Save Money on Variable Expenses

This is the category that can be a bit easier to manage when trying to cut costs. Making small changes regarding your money habits can significantly reduce variable expenses such as utilities, food, and, household maintenance.

How to save money on utilities

No. You don't have to live by candlelight or bathe in the same tub of water for 4 days straight. However, there are little things you can do that can help in this area.

You have probably heard a lot of these living on a budget tips before however, they are worth mentioning. So some rules that we have in our house that help with utilities.

Raise your thermostat during the day. Even a couple of degrees can make a difference in your monthly bills. However, don't go crazy. You don't want to have to walk into an extremely cold or hot home after work. So I wouldn't change it more than 10 degrees from your desired temperature.

Also, assess what is considered comfortable for you.  Play around with moving the temperature a degree or two when you're home. You will be surprised at what a difference a degree can make.

Turn off the lights and the tv and your computer and the cable box and whatever else you have running when you're out of the room or not using it.

I am the worse when it comes to this. My husband swears I own stock in the power company. I am that person that will walk into the house, turn on the television, walk to another room. Start playing on my iPad. Forget about the television. You get the point.

When we are home during the day we open up all our shades to let the light in. This helps to reduce the amount of electricity we use during the day since we don't need to turn on lamps or any overhead lights.

When we walk out of a room we make sure to turn off the television or any other electronics that we may be using. And after we are done for the day we make it a point to turn off and unplug our laptops. These small habits have little impact on our quality of life but have helped us reduced our electricity costs.

Other items such as cleaning products, toilet paper, and day to day household items you require to live and maintain your home can also be a big money pit. Just like with groceries my biggest advice here is to shop for sales.

Also, my bigger and more important piece of advice is to not be cheap about things. While the discount detergent may seem like a good idea it may not be if you are using a ton of more to get the same results from your favorite brand.

Don't be afraid to try different brands and test out even cheaper ones. However, if you find a brand you love then stick to it and just shop around to find deals.

One thing you will notice is that while I am cheap. I am not cheap. What does that even mean!!!?? Yeah, I know. What it is means is that yeah I want to get the best deal but I am not scrimping on quality.

Just because something costs less doesn't automatically mean its cheaper. So make sure that you are considering this before opting for the cheaper brand because you know.. it's cheaper.

How to Save Money on Your Gym Membership

I personally struggle with this. I love going to the gym. And I especially love my gym membership. However, I've had to cut it out.

Why?

Well because I am not getting my money's worth. And I have found a few alternatives that work better.

The first thing you want to do is ask yourself. How many times are you going to the gym and what is your cost per visit?

If you're going every day then it may be worth it. If you are only going to a class here and there then consider signing up for classes where you can drop in and pay as you go as opposed to paying for a monthly membership.

And ditch the idea of well if I join I will go. If you join you will be giving someone else your money. You can find a better alternative.

If you like classes check out youtube and Instagram for free exercise classes. If you google Zumba, for example, you can find a ton of awesome free gym classes that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Check out these from PopSugar.

If you are looking for something that is a bit more guided there are apps like Sweat or Peloton where you can sign up for a monthly fee and get guided daily routines.

While you are still paying money these options could be cheaper than paying for in-person classes or a gym membership.

Get outside. Explore work out options that you can do for free and cheap outside. Running is cheap and a great workout. If you have access to a pool swimming is a full-body workout. These are just some ideas to keep in mind to stay fit while on a budget.

How to Save Money Discretionary Expenses

I have to admit. Cutting back on discretionary expenses can be hard for most people. I know it was hard for me when I initially did this exercise.

However, it is not impossible. The hardest part is deciding what is discretionary. Usually, most people feel that they NEED their coffee and their cable and their cocktails and their take out. And that is fine. You should never get to the point where you give up so much that you're truly unhappy.

This exercise is meant for you you assess your spending and your habits and make decisions accordingly. So here are some things to consider.

We already addressed some ways to curb your discretionary expenses however here are some additional ideas.

Cut the Cord… The Cable Cord

We are currently in the process of cutting the cord in our house and I will explain a little bit more about why we are still in the process in a moment.

Before cutting the cord the first thing you want to do is assess. How much television do you watch? And what are you watching?

Once you figure this out you can consider alternatives.

For example, if you watch mostly local channels then consider ditching cable and investing in a digital antenna. It is a one time purchase and you don't need to pay a monthly cost. We've had ours for years with no issues.

If you are more a movie person than consider a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu.

And if you're problem is that you are spending way too much money on streaming services in general then consider which ones are your fave and keep those and choose to opt-out of others. There is no need to subscribe to all of them.

Bonus: Consider splitting the cost of streaming services with a family member.  This could be a great way to still get the streaming service you love but save a few dollars every month.

How Low Can You Go? Can you afford to cut a bit off of each Category?

You don't need to go crazy but try cutting back a few bucks at a time for each category.

Track Your Expenses

Don't worry. You do not have to track your expenses forever. However, for the first couple of months, you should keep an eye on the money you're spending to make sure you're not going over budget.

This is also not about money. Think about how you're feeling. If you decided to give up your trips to Starbucks every morning are you ok with it? Or do you find yourself feeling a certain way about it

Review Your Progress

Every few months do a quick check on your budget. Has your spending changed? Can you move some stuff around? Once you start being more mindful of your spending you will start to realize that there are certain areas where you won't spend as much. That extra money can go towards a savings account, emergency fund, and paying off debt.

Get Rid of Debt

One of the lessons I learned when I first started budgeting was to pay off debt. It was even recommended that I pay off my debt before putting money towards your savings goals. While some may recommend this you should do what makes you comfortable.

Once you identify how much money you have leftover after your expenses you need to decide how much to put towards your savings account vs. debt.  I would recommend putting at least 50/50.

Paying down debt, especially high-interest debt from credit cards will save you a lot more than you are making in interest in a lot of instances therefore if you are comfortable with it I would recommend you do a 75/25 split with more towards debt.

Also, having a low debt to income ratio and a solid credit score can help you later down the road when trying to apply for a mortgage for example.

Just remember. The sooner you get rid of that debt the sooner you can start saving.

Credit cards are not bad. There are plenty of credits cards that offer amazing perks like airline miles and cash back incentive that can really help your money go further. However it take discipline. So I would reccommend following a cash budget initially until you feel confident.

Can you live on less?

Challenge yourself. Make it a game. I like to call it how low can you go?

If your food budget is $100 a week. Can you make it $75? Challenge your self. Make a game of it. But don't put yourself in a situation where you're suffering.

You still want to enjoy yourself and not feel like you are living with less. You just are trying to establish the least you need to be happy.

Just remember that living on a tight budget doesn't mean causing stress. Be kind to yourself and stay flexible. The advantages of a flexible budget far outweigh having no budget at all.

You Can Afford it

Budgeting can be very overwhelming. But it doesn't have to. You don't have to make every change today.

You don't have to commit to every tip to all the tips for living on a tight budget.

You can even start with more of a flexible budget. Bookmark this for later and work towards making small changes every day.

As you become more and more comfortable you will start to realize that this is a lot easier than you think. Over time you will develop money habits that you never knew you were capable of having.

I hope you learned a few tips on how to live on a budget and save money.

Remember living rich on a budget is possible.

You got this!!!