I like to think of "boring" maintenance stuff as self care basics. By having a budget and emergency funds, you relieve yourself of the worry and stress of unexpected costs. That peace of mind is more valuable to me than a spa day; not that I don't treat myself to spa days, but everyday peace is far better than occasional treats.
I like the idea of highlighting eating out days. I have been doing a separate tracker for days where I eat breakfast, and also when I order food delivery. 🙂
I’m definitely going to highlight eating out great idea. I can’t even imagine not tracking my finances. I love it! Of course right now it’s hard because I’m in debt but I feel like I’m in control of my finances and thank you for the debt tracker that shows the avalanche method. I always thought of the snowball method. I feel like I can definitely get out of debt now. I’m so glad I found your channel
I just found your channel, I'm so grateful. I budget monthly but your advice makes so much sense and I love highlighting, you can see where the money is going! Thank you so much!
I love how you addressed the inner talk we give ourselves ❤ I have the tools, the workbook, the highlighters, etc. I’m starting a fresh new year and with my hubby on board, it’s going to be great! 🎉🎉🎉
Girllll. I say all those things about budgeting. PLUS I have irregular income. My Sissy follows you & she's soo good at allocating dollars she has tried to help me multiple times. There's something in my brain that doesn't get it. you do such a good job TY
Hi Miko. Great video and update. Have you thought about using an underwriting agency, if you're not already? They are a 3rd party broker who work with you to find the best coverage and rates. I've used one for years. Their job is to shop insurances for you. You don't pay them anything out of pocket, usually, the insurance companies do out of your premium. Just a thought.
Hi Miko, do you think you will be adding a free expense tracker to the free resource library? I dont believe that I saw one last time I was in there a few weeks ago.
Wow your insurance is high. I couldn’t afford to live in WA lol. Enjoy your morning money videos. I’m working on my budget tomorrow. It’s time to pay bills.
Do you have any videos for kids? I have two boys who have a lawn and snow business in the neighborhood. They do not have reali life expenses yet but I manage their business money and help them break it down. We only have 4 categories. Business savings, tithing, long term savings, and payday. I wasnt sure if you had any input. The boys are almost 13 and 15.5 years old. Thanks.
I'm also in WA. Check with your insurance agent. My rates are lower for the first half of 2025 than they were in 2024. I pay my insurance in six monthly payments. I'm going to check with my Farmers agent to see if she estimates rates will increase for the 2nd half of 2025. Also, I read this same article Miko posted and learned WA has had some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the country; the insurance companies are raising them to be comparable to other states because repair costs have increased significantly.
After purchasing everything required to go from digital spending to analog cash envelopes, pen and paper full on TBM method, to see that you’re more going digital with no real explanation as to why and that the only way I can follow suit is of I buy a $260 course with a spreadsheet I am feeling defeated. Feel free to delete my comment but I wanted your team to see this feedback. Looking at my planner today and cant help but feel a little grifted. I wish the spreadsheet was more accessible.
I'm definitely not going digital! I still use and prefer my physical BBP - I just like the Excel spreadsheet because it does the math for me :-) I appreciate your feedback! I very rarely share the BBP in Excel, as I primarily use the physical workbook.
I can totally appreciate this comment. Excel intimidates me! BUT in order to get my husband on board, the Excel version is going to be the best version for him. He is an Excel MASTER, and uses it extensively at his work daily. My advice is to just continue using the paper version, as will I, and just look at the excel as a version for others, just not for you. Defeated is not an option, keep going girl! 🎉🎉🎉🎉The Budget Mom is the best and she’ll continue to teach paper version don’t worry. 😉 You got this! ❤❤
I feel the same way. I enjoy using the workbook. I looked at the Excel version and was like “no way”. I’m supposed to be paying off debt and saving money, not spending more,so that’s not gonna happen.
I think it’s important to understand that the excel document is just another tool, there is nothing saying it’s required to be successful, but there are people who may find it valuable. I know it is so easy to see a budgeting tool and feel overwhelmed and sometimes frustrated because it’s natural to feel like we need it all- but I’ve been following TBM for about 1.5 years and I’ve watched every video in the library and never felt like the Excel document/class has ever been pushed on people. It is a tool that some may find helpful, and it seems fair that TBM be able to showcase the tools she’s created that may help- even if they don’t help you personally. I’m actually always so impressed how much more they advertise the free products when in reality most businesses SELL you everything you need and very rarely offer free versions of their bread and butter product.
Phew! Thanks Miko and all for your shares. I’ve been bitten in the past by coaching programs with courses and put my full trust in TBM. So as soon as I heard the word ‘course’ and sensed a possible move to digital my 🚨went off. Really appreciate that my comment didn’t get deleted as this shows me that Miko is a trustworthy creator willing to stand by her product. I would love to hear more about the move to cashless except for one envelope. I will stick to the envelopes until I’ve made progress on all the steps in the book.
Hi Miko! Do you have any advice for how to approach the month when your paycheck is smaller than what you budgeted? I felt like January was going to be a month full of progress but now all of my savings goals aren’t possible with my income changing by month in a commission + salary role where my monthly bonus fluctuates. I try to budget the minimum but I can’t afford to live on the minimum so I have a certain amount budgeted that allows me to be at a certain level with my side hustle DoorDash
Hi! I think the advice Miko used to give was that with an irregular income, you budget with the smallest amount that you received (in the last 12 months or so something like that). I did that for a while with my last job and it worked great!
Are there any Etsy sticker shops that you or anyone else can suggest I can look up to get stickers to make my spreads with?? Part of being able to be expressive and creative with creating my paycheck budgets and months calendars is what helps me keep up and keep track with my expenses and savings!! ❤
Since I started budgeting, I can't even imagine NOT budgeting. It's like "WHAT NO BUDGET??!?!?!?!?"
I like to think of "boring" maintenance stuff as self care basics. By having a budget and emergency funds, you relieve yourself of the worry and stress of unexpected costs. That peace of mind is more valuable to me than a spa day; not that I don't treat myself to spa days, but everyday peace is far better than occasional treats.
I think the maintaining phase is just as important.
It proves to me that I am in control of my finances and not the other way around.
💙💜💙
I like the idea of highlighting eating out days. I have been doing a separate tracker for days where I eat breakfast, and also when I order food delivery. 🙂
I highlight everything 😊😊😊
I’m definitely going to highlight eating out great idea. I can’t even imagine not tracking my finances. I love it! Of course right now it’s hard because I’m in debt but I feel like I’m in control of my finances and thank you for the debt tracker that shows the avalanche method. I always thought of the snowball method. I feel like I can definitely get out of debt now. I’m so glad I found your channel
You can do it!
I just found your channel, I'm so grateful. I budget monthly but your advice makes so much sense and I love highlighting, you can see where the money is going! Thank you so
much!
I love how you addressed the inner talk we give ourselves ❤ I have the tools, the workbook, the highlighters, etc. I’m starting a fresh new year and with my hubby on board, it’s going to be great! 🎉🎉🎉
I showed this great video during my Daily Bucket Training. Thanks so much!
I am very happy to “maintain” right now. Thanks Miko!
Great idea to use the calendar for eat-out days; immediate visual feedback 💚
Thank you! I love the visual aspect too.
These videos are so helpful! 💰💜
Glad you like them!
Awesome content!
Girllll. I say all those things about budgeting. PLUS I have irregular income. My Sissy follows you & she's soo good at allocating dollars she has tried to help me multiple times. There's something in my brain that doesn't get it. you do such a good job TY
Thank you so much! I hope my videos can help you make some progress!
Hi Miko. Great video and update. Have you thought about using an underwriting agency, if you're not already? They are a 3rd party broker who work with you to find the best coverage and rates. I've used one for years. Their job is to shop insurances for you. You don't pay them anything out of pocket, usually, the insurance companies do out of your premium. Just a thought.
Yes! I have a friend who is in this position and is helping!
Thank you Miko x
What happened to the examples from people ? I liked those stories. I saw myself in them.
Hi Miko, do you think you will be adding a free expense tracker to the free resource library? I dont believe that I saw one last time I was in there a few weeks ago.
Wow your insurance is high. I couldn’t afford to live in WA lol. Enjoy your morning money videos. I’m working on my budget tomorrow. It’s time to pay bills.
Thank you so much! Washington is expensive! 🙂
Hey Miko ❤
Good morning!
Do you have any videos for kids? I have two boys who have a lawn and snow business in the neighborhood. They do not have reali life expenses yet but I manage their business money and help them break it down. We only have 4 categories. Business savings, tithing, long term savings, and payday. I wasnt sure if you had any input. The boys are almost 13 and 15.5 years old. Thanks.
I hadn't heard about our insurance going up in WA. Yuck! It's already hard enough to get insurance with a Kia Soul. 😭
I'm also in WA. Check with your insurance agent. My rates are lower for the first half of 2025 than they were in 2024. I pay my insurance in six monthly payments. I'm going to check with my Farmers agent to see if she estimates rates will increase for the 2nd half of 2025. Also, I read this same article Miko posted and learned WA has had some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the country; the insurance companies are raising them to be comparable to other states because repair costs have increased significantly.
After purchasing everything required to go from digital spending to analog cash envelopes, pen and paper full on TBM method, to see that you’re more going digital with no real explanation as to why and that the only way I can follow suit is of I buy a $260 course with a spreadsheet I am feeling defeated. Feel free to delete my comment but I wanted your team to see this feedback. Looking at my planner today and cant help but feel a little grifted. I wish the spreadsheet was more accessible.
I'm definitely not going digital! I still use and prefer my physical BBP - I just like the Excel spreadsheet because it does the math for me :-) I appreciate your feedback! I very rarely share the BBP in Excel, as I primarily use the physical workbook.
I can totally appreciate this comment. Excel intimidates me! BUT in order to get my husband on board, the Excel version is going to be the best version for him. He is an Excel MASTER, and uses it extensively at his work daily. My advice is to just continue using the paper version, as will I, and just look at the excel as a version for others, just not for you. Defeated is not an option, keep going girl! 🎉🎉🎉🎉The Budget Mom is the best and she’ll continue to teach paper version don’t worry. 😉 You got this! ❤❤
I feel the same way. I enjoy using the workbook. I looked at the Excel version and was like “no way”. I’m supposed to be paying off debt and saving money, not spending more,so that’s not gonna happen.
I think it’s important to understand that the excel document is just another tool, there is nothing saying it’s required to be successful, but there are people who may find it valuable. I know it is so easy to see a budgeting tool and feel overwhelmed and sometimes frustrated because it’s natural to feel like we need it all- but I’ve been following TBM for about 1.5 years and I’ve watched every video in the library and never felt like the Excel document/class has ever been pushed on people. It is a tool that some may find helpful, and it seems fair that TBM be able to showcase the tools she’s created that may help- even if they don’t help you personally. I’m actually always so impressed how much more they advertise the free products when in reality most businesses SELL you everything you need and very rarely offer free versions of their bread and butter product.
Phew! Thanks Miko and all for your shares. I’ve been bitten in the past by coaching programs with courses and put my full trust in TBM. So as soon as I heard the word ‘course’ and sensed a possible move to digital my 🚨went off. Really appreciate that my comment didn’t get deleted as this shows me that Miko is a trustworthy creator willing to stand by her product. I would love to hear more about the move to cashless except for one envelope. I will stick to the envelopes until I’ve made progress on all the steps in the book.
Hi Miko! Do you have any advice for how to approach the month when your paycheck is smaller than what you budgeted? I felt like January was going to be a month full of progress but now all of my savings goals aren’t possible with my income changing by month in a commission + salary role where my monthly bonus fluctuates. I try to budget the minimum but I can’t afford to live on the minimum so I have a certain amount budgeted that allows me to be at a certain level with my side hustle DoorDash
Hi! I think the advice Miko used to give was that with an irregular income, you budget with the smallest amount that you received (in the last 12 months or so something like that). I did that for a while with my last job and it worked great!
Are there any Etsy sticker shops that you or anyone else can suggest I can look up to get stickers to make my spreads with?? Part of being able to be expressive and creative with creating my paycheck budgets and months calendars is what helps me keep up and keep track with my expenses and savings!! ❤
I use Van Lily’s stickers! They are the best!
❤ good evening how are you doing today ❤
I really struggle with tracking spending
I'm in the maintain phase, I agree it's boring 🥱 but it doesn't take long setting up my budget every month.