thethriftledger

Budget Basics checklist

16 steps to a budget you'll actually keep.

Track your progress with a free accountGet the free Monthly Budget Ledger

Getting started

This month.

  • Track one month of spending Guide
  • Write down your monthly take-home pay Guide
  • Split costs into fixed, flexible and occasional Guide
  • Write your first one-page budget Guide

Choose a method

Try one for three months.

  • Compare your spending with 50/30/20 Guide
  • Try giving every dollar a job Guide
  • Use envelopes for one flexible category Guide
  • Set up an automatic savings transfer on payday Guide

Habits

Every week.

  • Put a weekly ten-minute check-in in your calendar Guide
  • List irregular expenses and save monthly for them Guide
  • Plan what you'll do when you overspend Guide
  • Set a guilt-free fun amount Guide

Tools

Set up once.

  • Pick paper, a spreadsheet or an app Guide
  • Turn on low-balance and due-date alerts Guide
  • Check your budget for common mistakes Guide
  • Review the month on the last day Guide