Welcome to The Budget Millennial

The first lesson I was taught, regarding money, was that only the rich had expendable income and it didn't grow on trees. The second lesson I was taught insisted that in order to start a business you must have a brick and mortar location and have at least a quarter of a million dollars in the bank, plus enough income for an entire year of expenses. The third lesson I was taught was that in order to make a significant amount of money you must rely on an employer with an established business to give you that amount of money. I am confident to report the above three lessons are incorrect.

The truth is being rich is different from being wealthy, starting a business can be done with significantly less overhead, and if you want to make a significant amount of money you can make it yourself (but maybe not with a printing press, much to my Grandfather's chagrin).

I am The Budget Millennial. I have made plenty of money errors, learned from my mistakes, and studied the skills needed to make money work for myself and for others. I am not a financial advisor nor am I an investor. I am simply a well-educated individual looking to bring financial stability to the family living paycheck to paycheck, the college student wrapping their head around the $30,000 student loan they just agreed to, and the everyday person looking to improve their financial standing. My goal is to share my knowledge and aid you, dear reader, in becoming financially free.

Aside from the advice you'll find on my blog you'll also find easy-to-use digital downloads, budget trackers that are easily accessible, and print on demand resources that can help you take control of your monetary life. Let's leave being broke in 2024 and launch into something that will propel you into a better way of living. I'll be writing with tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your budget as it stands now. Through my experience, and something other individuals did not teach me, the most important lesson you can learn about money is to live within your means.

Living within your means in a world of credit cards, loan programs, and a society that focuses on creating debt can feel easy. The reality of living within your means is significantly different. It translates to not using your credit cards, paying down your debt, and living on the income you currently have. This way of living requires much more discipline.

But wait! It sounds like you're saying I have to give up the extra spending! I don't want to give up getting my nails done, my stamp collection, or my fancy car! Why would I do that?

For the record, I am in no way telling you to give up the things that bring you joy. I am simply telling you to look at your expenses and your income and make the decision to live off of that income instead of using your credit cards, and before you protest- Yes it is possible to live within your means and still have the life you want.

My first budget tracker looks at your financial life from a monthly perspective. First, it combines all sources of income (I've included three, just in case you're like me and enjoy the side hustle life), next it encompasses all credit card bills, savings accounts, groceries, electric, and other bills that are standard and generally encountered by the mass populous. Finally, it subtracts the overall cost of your expenses from your total income to give you a net gain or minus. The format is easy-to-use plug and chug for you to fill in each month and track your spending habits.

Today is the day we start to take control of our monetary lives and create the financial freedom we all create.

Happy Budgeting!

TBM