You know that nagging feeling in your gut? The one that says, “I should be better with money,” or “Where does it all go?” That’s your brain asking for a budget.
Budgeting isn’t about restriction… It’s about direction. You can still grab that oatmilk chai from your favorite coffee shop or take that weekend getaway with your best friends. A budget just helps you do it purposefully.
Here’s how to create a budget from scratch in six simple steps:
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Step 1: Write down your total monthly incomeThe first step to learning how to create a budget is to figure out how much money you’re working with each month. You’ll want to use your after-tax income for this—aka what actually lands in your bank account, not what your salary says on paper.