Our Approach to Budgeting

When it comes to budgeting, we like to think of it more as a guide than a rulebook. It’s a suggestion, not something set in stone. Some months we stick to our numbers pretty closely, other months life happens and we adjust.

It’s Not Perfect

Our budget isn’t meant to be flawless or rigid. The point isn’t to get everything “right,” it’s to give us a clearer picture of where our money is going and to help us make decisions. Sometimes that means shifting categories around, sometimes it means overspending in one area and underspending in another.

It’s Meant to Be Updated

A budget should be a living document. Our needs change, our income changes, and our priorities shift. For example, preschool is in our budget now, but come next year it won’t be. Subscriptions come and go. Some years house projects are a priority, other years they’re not. Updating the budget is just part of the process.

Track What Works for You

You can make your budget as detailed or as broad as you like. We’ve gone through phases where we’ve had super granular categories and tracked everything separately (groceries, dining out, household supplies, etc.). These days, we prefer broader groups like “food” or “flexible spending.” The key is finding the level of detail that feels manageable and useful for you.

Every Dollar Gets a Job

We like using a zero-based budgeting approach, which basically means every dollar has a “job.” Whether it’s covering bills, going toward savings, or being set aside for future expenses, all of our income is accounted for. That doesn’t mean every dollar is spent, it just means it’s assigned to a category.

It’s Deeply Personal

At the end of the day, budgeting is personal. What works for one person or family may not work for another. Some people thrive on strict categories, others prefer loose guidelines. Some love apps, others love spreadsheets, or maybe even paper and pencil. The “right” budget is the one that helps you feel in control of your money without feeling suffocated by it.