If the word “budget” makes you think of spreadsheets, sacrifice, and never having fun again, stop right there.
This guide is for you if you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck, but really don’t want to turn into someone whose personality revolves around counting every penny. Budgeting doesn’t have to be overwhelming or boring and it definitely doesn’t mean giving up your Friday night takeout.
Here’s how to get started, no stress or spreadsheets required.
Step 1: Know What’s Coming In (and Going Out)
No, this isn’t about tracking every single expense with colour-coded charts. Just open your banking app and ask yourself:
“How much do I actually get paid, and where does it go?”
Scroll through last month. Look at the basics:
Rent or mortgage
Bills
Groceries
Travel
Random little spends you forgot you made
That’s it. No calculators needed (yet). Just awareness. You might be surprised where your money is sneaking off to.
Step 2: Give Yourself Some Structure (But Keep It Soft)
No strict rules here. Think of it more like soft boundaries.
Here’s a simple way to structure your money:
Cover essentials first – rent, bills, food. By now, you should know roughly how much this eats up.
Pick one thing to save for – a holiday, emergency fund, new hone, whatever. Start a small savings pot.
Leave some guilt-free money for fun – even if it’s just £10 a week for coffees or a cheeky Greggs. It still counts.
Budgeting isn’t about saying no to everything. It’s about knowing what you’re saying yes to.
Step 3: Use One App (or a Notebook)
You don’t need a fancy budget planner or a paid app. Just pick one place where you can keep track weekly - and stick with it.
Personally? The Notes app or a notebook works fine. Pen and paper is underrated.
You’re not doing advanced maths. You’re just keeping an eye on what’s happening. Honestly, that’s 90% of budgeting for beginners.
Step 4: Do a Weekly Money Check-In
Pick a day - Sunday, payday, whatever suits - and check in with your money like a mini reset.
Ask yourself:
Did I overspend?
Is anything coming up next week?
Do I need to shuffle anything around?
No shame. No panic. Just a quiet, honest moment with your bank account and maybe a cuppa.
Overspent? Cool. Learn from it and rebalance next week.
Step 5: Make It Work for Your Life
Here’s the thing: budgeting doesn’t work if it’s not honest.
Hate cooking? Don’t build a budget around the idea you’ll cook seven nights a week and never get a takeaway again. You’re not fooling anyone, especially not your future self on a Friday night.
Instead, budget for how you actually live, not how you wish you did. That’s where the magic happens. It’s not about cutting everything out. It’s about choosing where your money goes, instead of wondering where it went.
Final Thought: Budgeting = Awareness, Not Punishment
You don’t need to sacrifice joy to get your finances in order. You just need to be aware and in control so your bank balance stops surprising you.