RichHER Life

5 minute read

Hey girlies! I hope you had an amazing week! If your New Year’s resolution was to stop being shocked by your bank balance, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re talking budgeting—aka giving your money a job so it doesn’t ghost you when you need it most.

Let’s be real: We all saw our Uber Eats receipts from last year and thought, “Maybe I should pay more attention to my finances.” But instead of feeling guilty, let’s take charge of our coins and make smarter financial moves.

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Step 1: Reflect on Your Spending Habits 🛍️

Before we start making changes, let’s figure out where your money actually went. No shame—just clarity!

🔹 If you use a debit or credit card: Download your statements and drop the transactions into an Excel sheet.
🔹 If you use a budgeting app: Your spending is already sorted—yay! Just review and tweak.
🔹 If you use cash: I love the vintage vibes but start tracking your expenses manually or switch to digital for better accuracy.

Now, organize your spending into these buckets:

• Bills & Utilities: Rent, electricity, internet, insurance
• Personal: Hair, nails, skincare, gym, self-care
• Shopping: Clothes, accessories, home decor
• Food: Groceries, dining out, takeout
• Health & Wellness: Doctor visits, therapy, prescriptions
• Entertainment: Netflix, concerts, hobbies
• Travel: Flights, hotels, Ubers
• Giving: Charities, gifts, religious contributions

Once you see where your money is going, you can decide where to cut back. Too many subscriptions? Ordering takeout a little too often? Adjust accordingly!

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Step 2: Set a Goal for Your Budget (AKA Your ‘Why’ 💡)

Budgeting is easier when you have a reason. Pick 1-5 goals and write them down. (Manifestation works, okay?)

Here’s a priority list from most to least urgent:
✅ Starter emergency fund (so you’re covered for surprises)
✅ Employer 401(k) match (free money—don’t leave it on the table!)
✅ Toxic debt (high-interest credit cards gotta go)

Reminder: Every time you’re tempted to drop $300 at Sephora, think about your bigger goal.

Step 3: Figure Out How Much You Actually Make 💰

Yes, we’re manifesting that $3M salary, but until then, let’s work with what we have.

• If you’re salaried: Look at your paycheck after taxes.
• If you freelance or work gigs: Take an average of your last few months’ income.

Be realistic! Don’t budget based on potential money—work with actual deposits.

Step 4: Give Every Dollar a Job (AKA The Fun Part) 🎯

Now that you know how much you make and where your money went, it’s time to assign every dollar a purpose. Start with must-pay expenses first (rent, utilities, bills). Then, allocate funds for variable expenses and saving.

Example Budget for Someone Making $3,000/Month:

📌 Fixed Expenses ($1,450 total)

Rent: $1,000
Utilities & Internet: $150
Phone Bill: $50
Car Insurance: $250

📌 Variable Expenses ($850 total)

Groceries: $350
Dining Out: $150
Shopping & Fun: $200
Self-Care (Hair, Nails, Gym, etc.): $150

📌 Savings, Giving & Goals ($700 total)

Emergency Fund: $200
Investments (401(k), Roth IRA, Stocks, etc.): $200
Giving (Charities, religious contributions): $100
Travel Fund: $200

Of course, adjust this based on your lifestyle. The key is prioritizing needs, balancing wants, and making room for savings.

Step 5: Make Budgeting Easy (Because We’re Not About That Stress) 😌

Now that you’ve set up your budget, let’s make sure it’s sustainable. Here’s how:

• Use a Free Budgeting App – Let tech do the work! 

• Swap Expenses, Not Joy – Love brunch but don’t care about designer bags? Keep what makes you happy, cut what doesn’t.
• Automate Savings – Set up auto-transfers so your savings actually happen.
• Check in Weekly – Not daily (we’re avoiding money anxiety), but a quick weekly check keeps you on track.
• Adjust As Needed – Your budget isn’t set in stone. Life happens—adapt accordingly!

Budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about freedom. When you tell your money where to go, you stop wondering where it went. Let’s keep this convo going—what’s your biggest money goal this year? Drop it in the comments! 👇

Until next time,
Your fave finance girlie 💖✨