1. Determine your current income and spending:

   • Track your income and spending by category for the next 30 days using this budget tracking by category form.

     • Also review the past 30 days from your operating accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, etc.).

   • As you add expenses to the form, it will automatically add up the category totals.

   • Watch this video on how to track your expenses.

2. Create your budget:

   • Download the Creating Your Budget form.

   • In the Actual from Register column, enter your category totals (from the Tracking by Category form).

   • Now, watch this video on how to create your budget.

3. Live the Budget:

   • Download the Yearly Budget Tool.

   • Use this tool moving forward.

   • Now, watch this video on how to use this tool.

 

We track expenses because you need to see where your money goes to create a realistic budget for your life. Once you've tracked 30 days of spending, it will reveal where you overspend and items you might have forgotten (gifts, haircuts, car maintenance). Most budgets fall apart because the plan didn’t include all the expenses (so Christmas and car repairs dismantle the plan). After creating your budget and comparing your spending to the guideline, you can choose where the money will go next month. This is when the Yearly Budget Tool tracks your monthly spending and tells you what you have left over in each category while you spend.

 

You may also enjoy using the Envelope System to track categories. Blessings on your budgeting journey!

 

Questions?  E-Mail to FinancialDiscipleship@thechapel.family or call 419.627.0208!

 

Special thank you to David Thompson and our friends at Gateway Church for sharing their resources and videos with us!