Be The Budget
A common sense approach to money
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What is it like to be debt free?” This question dominated my thoughts for months while my wife and I were paying off our debt, so I understand where you’re coming from. But now that we are on the other side of it,…
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It’s that time of year again; the flowers are blooming, the grass is turning green, and people all over the world are wanting to know how to have a debt free christmas. Wait, what? I realize that Spring is a weird time of year to be talking about the holiday…
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Whether there’s a growing stack of bills on your kitchen counter, or you’re cutting expenses to save for a big purchase, living on a tight budget can be quite the endurance test. And, much like standing at the starting line of a marathon, the race ahead can seem daunting. It’s…
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If you have more than one piece of plastic in your wallet, I can almost guarantee you have asked yourself the question, “Credit card or debit card?” How did you make the decision? Did you choose a credit card for points and cash back, or did you go with your…
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We all have habits when it comes to handling our money. But are they good money habits? In other words, are your financial habits moving you closer to your ultimate financial goals? If not, it’s probably time for you to change them. And today is the best day to start!…
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What Is A Budget, Really? I hate when people refer to their budget as a spending plan. I understand why they call it that, but I think it is wildly inaccurate. A good budget is a SAVING plan, and the key to financial success. It doesn’t matter who you are,…
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Need an extra $200 bucks this month? Odd jobs might be the quickest way to earn it. When you were a kid this meant going door to door, asking neighbors if you could rake leaves or shovel snow. But as an adult, it is a lot easier. Cue social media.…
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Sometimes, A Little Extra Money Can Make Life A Lot Easier Let’s face it. Sometimes you just need a little extra cash in your pocket. This statement was never more meaningful than when Katie and I were first dating. Bowling? Dinner? Filling up my gas tank before AND after a…
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What is fun money? I think recess is one of the most brilliant concepts ever invented. Teachers know that giving kids a small, limited amount of time to run around, scream and play, greatly increases their capacity to learn throughout the school day. In budgeting, we need a little dose…
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Step 1: Your Compelling Reasons Why If you were to ask 2 people why they want to start budgeting, and their answers were as follows: Person 1: I want to save more money. Person 2: I’m tired of living paycheck to paycheck, and I know that if I don’t stick…
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If you’re like me, you’ve uttered the phrase “it’s not in the budget” a time or two in your life. But, where is this all-knowing budget you speak of? Have you actually taken the time to create one? Technically, is anything “in the budget,” if the budget doesn’t exist? I…
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Welcome to Be The Budget.
We're Katie and Zach, and we're on a mission to improve our finances though simple, common sense principles. We believe in budgeting, living debt-free, earning more, saving more, giving more, and living within our means. If that sounds appealing, we would love for you to join us on our journey by subscribing below. Either way, we hope you enjoy our blog!