8 Creative Ways to Make a Budget You Can Actually Follow

Why do we need to talk about Budgets?

If you have needs or any financial goal you want to hit, you NEED TO MAKE A BUDGET!.

Research shows that only 44% of Americans could financially cover an unexpected $1,000 emergency. In addition, 65% of Americans have no idea how much money they spent last month.

So what if I told you this was 100% preventable?

Well it is…with a BUDGET!

Budgets and Creativity

Well, if you know anything about me, the Purple Craft Diva, you know I normally talk about creativity and crafts. So you may be wondering why am I talking budgets.

Actually, there is a connection between creativity and organization. Studies show that, in general, people who are artistic or enjoy creative hobbies are not organized or good at business. You know that whole right brain/left brain theory.

Budgets are Cruicial for Financial Stability

I’ve heard people say that budgets are like a straight jacket. You may even feel that way yourself. Let me switch the narrative for you. Budgeting actuallly gives you control of your money. Think of it as a tool to fund your needs, wants, hopes and dreams.

Tell your money what to do. Don’t let your money tell you what to do.

If you don’t budget, you will never know how much money is actually coming in your household and how much is going out. Without a budget, you may never really know how you are actuallly doing financial.

Both Creativity and Organization are Needed

The studies about creatives don’t have to be right in your life. I’m a true example that creativity and business can co-exist. Creativity is my life, but I also manage finances for a living. I need both to be successful in life and so do you.

Budgeting methods don’t have to look the same for everyone. It doesn’t have to be spreadsheet or boring. Find YOUR way to make a budget.

You can do it. We can do it. Let me give you some ways how.

8 Creative Budgeting Tools

1. Self Analysis

First things first, for one month, make a list of every type of money that comes in your household. Then make a list of everything you spend money on that month.

Take your income and subtract how much you spent. Anything negative means you spend more than you make. Anything $1 or more is an opportunity for saving or investing.

To help equal it out, look at what you spend money on and decide if it’s a need or want. Then delete some of those wants to help your balance your finances.

2. Visual Budget

Markers, Crayons, Paint, Oh My! We are creative people right? Be creative. If you don’t like spreadsheets, then don’t use one. Grab your favorite artistic medium and draw out your budget on a board. Do whatever you need to do to make it fun and come alive to you.

3. There’s an app for that

There are lots of apps now that help you keep track of budgets. You don’t even have to worry about the math, it will do it for you. Search Google for budgeting apps.

4. Paper Budgets

Everything is digital these days but sometimes just a good piece a paper and a pen feels right. Here’s a straight forward budget you can download and print.

5. Find ways to save money

There are lots of simple ways to save a couple of bucks here or there. Those couple of bucks will add up to help you get financially secure.

Skip a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Set a limit on how many times you will eat out for lunch each week. Meal plan dinners to reduce going through drive through. Also, try to reduce your debt and avoid paying interest.

6. Cash envelope system

Once you’ve done your self analysis and created your initial budget, you will know how much money you want to spend for each expense type. Now you can set that money aside only for that expense, and when it’s gone, you stop spending.

For example, if you budgeted $100 for craft supplies each month, you would go to the bank and get $100 cash and put it in an envelope labeled craft supplies.

Then when you shop for supplies you pull from that envelope and when that $100 is gone then you don’t spend any more money on craft supplies until the next month.

7. “Is It Worth It?” Poster

Put your financial goals and dreams on a poster board or card you can put in your wallet. When you want to splurge and buy something, first look at your board and decide if this splurge is more important than your goals. Ask yourself, Is it worth it?

8. Financial Coach

You may be reading this and decide, I just can’t do this. Then it’s time to find a financial coach. They ask you about your ultimate financial goals, then help you get there. Coaches are equipped with lots of ways to make a budget.

I work with some amazing coaches. Feel free to reach out to me and I can connect you with one if I can.

Budgeting is Doable

If you don’t take anything else from this post, I hope you at least realize that you are capable of budgeting. You can do it! It is worth your time! You deserve financial freedom.

The concept of the “starving artist” can be gone forever. Find what budgeting method is right for you and just go for it.

Until Next Time…Stay Crafty!

Angie