101 Budgeting

1. Set a Monthly Goal

• Savings Challenge: Decide how much you want to save each month. Make it fun by challenging yourself—set a "game" to beat your own high score (e.g., increase savings by 5% more than last month).

2. Divide Income Into 4 Buckets

• 50% Needs: Rent, groceries, utilities.

• 20% Savings: Automatically transfer this to a savings or investment account.

• 20% Wants: Hobbies, dining out, etc. (Make sure to enjoy, but cap it!).

• 10% Fun Savings: This is a "guilt-free" pot for a future vacation or big purchase. Keep it exciting!

3. Track with an App

• Use budgeting apps like YNAB, Mint, or even a game-themed app like Fortune City that turns budgeting into a city-building game. These make tracking progress more enjoyable.

4. The “No-Spend Weekends”

• Challenge Yourself: Pick two weekends a month where you avoid spending money on non-essentials. Make it a personal challenge or even a competition with friends (who saves the most!).

5. Use the 3-Day Rule for Purchases

• If you want to buy something expensive that’s not essential, wait 3 days. If you still want it after that, go for it. You’ll save by avoiding impulse buys.

6. Invest in Yourself

• Dedicate part of your budget to self-improvement, whether it’s a course, gym membership, or new hobby. A fun goal is to reward yourself with small progress milestones (e.g., after 10 gym visits, allow yourself a fun purchase).

7. Cook Once, Eat Twice

• Meal Prep & Plan: Save on food by cooking larger portions for dinner and having the leftovers for lunch. Make it a challenge to try new recipes each week to keep it fun!

8. Reward System

• Reward yourself when you hit a savings target, but make it budget-friendly. For example, allow a small treat or plan a fun but affordable outing.

• This plan combines practical budgeting with fun challenges and a bit of creativity to make it more enjoyable!