The Budget Notebook...And A Giveaway

Happy Wednesday Ladies!

 

Halfway through the week....AMEN!

 

 

I had mentioned that one of my goals this year, was to really get serious about budgeting.  I am the first to admit that I am not great in this area, it is way more fun easier, for me anyway, to spend money rather than save money!  After the holidays I took a good look at our finances, and when I was looking at our bank account online, it was mind blowing how much money we were foolishly spending each month...it really got me thinking!  I love a good deal, and for the most part I think I am a pretty "smart" spender, I always look for a sale and the best price, but we were definitely spending WAY too much money each month.  In addition to cutting back on shopping, I noticed a lot of our money was being spent at the grocery store, and eating out/ordering out.  I was definitely not as organized as I should have been, and was hitting the grocery store multiple times, and spending a ridiculous amount just at the grocery store alone.  Since the holidays, I have been much better about it, I have started meal planning again, and going to the store once a week for my "big" shopping, always going with a list, and sticking to it, and that has really helped tremendously. 

 

Target was another big downfall for me.

#truth

 

I would run to Target for some basic things, next thing I know my cart is filled with throw pillows, Shopkins for Oliva, a cute new coffee mug, and God only knows what else!  Never any big ticket items, but boy over time those little purchases sure do add up! 

 

So you get my drift....we I was just spending way too much money.  Mark and I sat down right after the holidays and really talked about money, and it isn't always the most fun subject to discuss in marriage, but it is definitely one of the most important.  I do not work, though I do receive a very generous amount in child support each month, and Mark makes a very decent salary, so the bottom line our bank account should have definitely had a few more zeros:)  We have lots of dreams and goals, and it is imperative to get serious about saving in order for us to achieve them. 

 

Budgeting can be so overwhelming, at least for us it was.  We want to enjoy life, give our kids a good life, and still be able to save.  We knew we needed to cut back in certain areas, and we really had to find the right balance....cut back but not feel like we are going without or sacrificing too much. 

 

I love my iPhone, my new Apple Watch, and my computer, but I am still very much "old school" when it comes to many things, and I am a list maker...writing it down, no matter what it is, always helps me and works best for me. 

 

Mark doesn't ever really question me when it comes to our money and finances, but honestly I don't think he really even knew how much money we were spending each month, and I don't think he realized how much it really does take to run our house.

 

A few weeks ago I was in contact with Ashley , and she offered to send me one of her Budget Notebooks to review, and she was sweet enough to send it right out to me.  I just received it in the mail this week, and I was super excited to open it up and start budgeting! 

 

I have been good about writing down what we are bringing in monthly and what is going out monthly.  I was just keeping track of it all in a regular notebook, with no real rhyme or reason to it.  What I LOVE about this Budget Notebook is it is all organized, and very easy to read and see what exactly is being spent/saved each month.  Mark is able to look at it anytime, and see quickly what we have spent/saved, without having to ask me to explain the chicken scratch I would have jotted in a notebook....lol. 

 

This is the cover I chose...it makes budgeting a little more fun when you have something super cute to write it all down in.

 

I love being able to see, all in one spot, our income, our bills listed, due dates, and what we have saved each month, all in one place.  And we use a red pen to check off the "paid" box, so if we are glancing quickly we can see what we have already paid for the month and what still needs to go out.

 

I love the debt repayment plan page, there really is something exciting about seeing your balance continue to drop!

 

In addition to the Budget Notebook, Ashley offers planners, notebooks, and some other great items.  You can check everything she has to offer here . 

 

Though our budgeting isn't perfect, we have definitely made great progress with our goal to save more.  Some months we spend a little more than we should, but we don't beat ourselves up over it, because some months we are saving more than we planned to.  I have found like with everything else in life, it's all about balance, and finding what works best for you, your family and your situation.  For us, being able to write it all down, and having something specifically designed for just that, is crucial to our successful budgeting and saving!

 

Today, I am giving away one of Ashley's Budget Notebooks to one of you, just leave a blog comment and check back Friday to see the winner!

 

Thank you so much Ashely for sending me the Budget Notebook!

 

And be sure you guys check out www.ashleyshelly.com to purchase your own Budget Notebook and browse her other awesome products!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!!