USING A NOTEBOOK AS A BUDGET TRACKER | ULTIMATE DIY BUDGET BOOK
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Hi guys !
Showing you my detailed breakdown on how I turned a regular plain notebook to track my budget, sinking funds and more.
Hope it helps and inspires you if you are looking to use a notebook as a budget book of your own!
Lets Connect : / the.merylife
Products mentioned :
NOTEBOOK : Target
Highlighters : amzn.to/3AGhckM
Pen Loop Holder : amzn.to/3hJX7kH
Divider tabs : Dollar Tree
Decorative Washi tape : Dollar Tree
Cactus keychain : Michaels
Gold labels : Michaels
Some stickers mentioned : check out @Paperie Planning
#merybudgets #diybudgetbook #sinkingfundstracker
I love the layout of this. Pretty simple concept but thorough. Alot of other videos were so complicated for no reason
Thanks! Glad its helpful 😃
This couldn't be anymore broken down and detailed. This is exactly what I've been looking for and needed I will be following this. I love it 🙏
Thankyou! So happy it can help!! ❤️
Love the simplicity of your tracking system. Nothing to stickery, fancy nor complicated. I want to track basic budgeting and savings in a very simple basic way.
Thankyou! 😊
Exactly what I needed!! The store planners never have exactly what I need! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks for watching! Glad it helped! 😊
Hi Mary! This is my first time visiting your channel and I really like the way you made your own budget book and chose supplies that are super affordable. Some of the videos of budget binders I’ve seen are very nice and attractive BUT you’re either paying for someone else’s design and product or you’re buying all kinds of supplies and things to make your own that cute. Since the whole idea is supposed to be sticking to a budget and saving money, I find that to be completely defeating the purpose. Thank you for keeping it simple and affordable!
The baby ultrasound picture is beautiful.It reminds me of both of my sons ultrasounds that I’ve lost in storage.
Love your version, not only is not as over whelming as the premade books. it also has a 'Love' touch to it. Ill definetly be adding some pictures to mine. Just to motivate and help me realize what the goal is to crunching numbers on the weekly. Thank you!- Love from Mississippi
Thankyou! Yeah I like a more simple approach. Happy it could help! 😃❤️
Notebooks are my favorite thing in the world! Can be used for so much!
Oh yeah i love them! So many cute ones!
Very detailed, very nice! love it
Thankyou! 😃
Wow this was amazing, you are super creative. I have been watching budget you tubers try to sell there planners for $30 or more and if I am on a tight budget I don’t see any need to spend all this money sense we can do it all on our own. Thank you for the inspiration.
Your welcome! So happy it helps! 😃❤️
I just recently started budgeting and recording. I’m using a regular college notebook for now! So I really appreciate you making this video!
Glad it can help! Happy Budgeting!
If you will live like no one else now, later you can live and GIVE like no one else! - Dave Ramsey
Yes! 😃
U give me great idea. Thanks for sharing your budget notebook.
Your welcome! 😊
This is the best video I’ve found. Thank you so much.
Aw glad it helped! Thanks for watching!
YOUR NAILS ARE BEAUTIFUL! Great video
Thankyou! ☺️
Omg i know exactly what you mean by getting overwhelmed by already set up budget books. I feel like i have to use all of the set up and it makes me feel like im doing it wrong if i dont. Very discouraging.
Hi! If budgeting on paper isn't for you... check out this video!! czcams.com/video/YzjMKxzSM2Q/video.html
Thank you!!!! This works sooo much better for me. I've been looking and looking for something that can work for me and this is the only thing that makes sense! 💡 🤩
Great ideas! Thank you so much for taking the time to break this down.
I also like having a blank canvas with my notebooks.
Such a great idea! Love the separate tracking concept.
Thanks so much!
Love this idea! I’ve been on the fence about if I want to create my own or purchase a budget planner simply because sometimes I don’t mind the visual motivation. This is definitely inspiring to get creative with my own. Thanks for sharing !
Thankyou! It definitely makes my budgeting system a little easier for me , so glad it can give you ideas! 😃
Don't waste your money on purchasing something off of "ANY WEBSITE". I am learning this the hard way. I applaud anyone who can take something as simple as a plain notebook and make it look like and work miracles!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kudos! I wasted my money and will never do that again. Many of them start with the day of the week Monday instead of Sunday and have so many unnecessary added bells and whistles.
I am so happy I found your video. This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Oh i’m so happy it could help! 😃
I love this! It’s full of passion and raw. Keep going girl! You have motivated me to make one too! I am a key worker on a minimum wage job and they cut my hours in half! No bonus! No nothing! This pandemic has hit me pretty bad financially. When I saw the ultrasound and photos of your son I could feel the emotion in your voice and I felt like crying. I will have to really tighten my wallet this year and learn to say no to people. Otherwise I will have nothing. ☹️
Anyways great content! 😁
Aw thankyou! Yes pandemic definitely changed things up but it will get better! Wish you the best you can do it!! 😃
LOVE THIS!! also love that you used a very normal but sleek notebook! nothing fancy but you turned it into something amazing!
Thankyou! Had alot of fun with it 😃
I love the way you made your budget book. Great video. ♡
ThAnkyou! 😃
@@TheMeryLife ♡♡
Loved loved loved this!!!!! Did I say I love this!? Thank you! So practical and simple!
Thanks so much! Happy it can help! 😊
@@TheMeryLife i totally started on it yesterday.
Oh awesome!
i loved this video ! out of all the ones I watched this is the most simple one. what's funny is when I try to write a budget this is exactly how I do it but just on a lil sheet of paper lol..but thank you for this it was definitely helpful.
Your so welcome! Thanks for watching!Happy it helped! 😊❤️
Beautiful layout. Great video. I hate budgeting. You have made it fun with your budget notebook. Gave me some good ideas for my budget book. Thank You!
Thankyou! Glad it can help make it fun 😃 happy budgeting!
Wow, I wish I had watched your video ab 5 planners ago...I love the way you set this budget book up using a notebook. I do prefer a nb for my keeping track of my bills bc you have more space to write notes if necessary. The way you broke it down was very clear & easy to understand. Soo glad you didn't put a million stickers...just a few carefully placed stickers will do ! Great...you hv a new subscriber !
Happy your here and that my video helped!
I watched so many videos and this is the ONLY one that makes sense to me helps me understand and plan better thanks
Aw i’m happy it helped! 😃
Thank you for this. A year later stumbling across this video but I am glad I found this. I definitely get overwhelmed too from the fancy budget planners out there :)
Thanks for watching! ❤️
This is way more simpler and straight to the point. Some of the other ones are too much but yours is clear.
Thankyou! Happy it can help!
Omg I just started watching your channel and I love you so far lol 😂 your a mommy like me. I have a baby boy who’s 8 months and have one on the way that’s due in February 2022. I love how you setup your journal 📓 like you did an amazing job inspires me to do the same now. Best part about it I won’t have to spend so much money tryna buy one. I think immA do the binder method inside tho so I can add all the cool things I want. This video was truly a blessing thank you
Aw thank you! Happy it could help! Congrats on your baby on the way 😃
You are very creative and Absolutely Love your Idea.You Rock! I will give this a try.
Thankyou!
@@TheMeryLife Your Welcome!
Nice and simple
Thankyou 😊
I was looking at lots of budget notebooks and I can't seem to find what suits to my needs. I found this video and it is helpful. Subscribed 😊
Thanks so much! Glad it could help!
I am late to the party! That's usually how it goes for me, though. Kudos to you for taking something so simple and making it a treasure. This is just what I was looking for. I absolutely love this! I pray you met all of your goals for the past two years and into 2023. God bless.
Thanks so much!
Only 30 seconds into the video and already liked and subscribed! God bless you!
Thankyou!! ❤️
I love how you creative you got!! Love it 😊 do you have an updated version?
Thanks! Yes actually, currently working on it and will definitely be sharing 😃
Nice, I just bought the clever fox budget planner otherwise I would of use a spiral notebook SketchBook
Thankyou! I’ve never heard of clever fox, i’ll have to look into it. I love planners 😃
This is so sweet
Very nice and detailed. But any reason for not using a computer? Is the analog method actually better?
Loved this one! The store planners tend to overwhelm me too! Great Job Mery! Btw..love your channel😍
-VERO/Meli's Friend👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼
Hi Vero!!! Great to hear from you! Hope all is well, thabks for watching! 😃💗
As someone who works in the automotive repair industry I'm glad to see someone budgeting for car maintenence, but please try to make it a point to save more. I always tell myself that if I can afford things I *don't need, but want*, then I should be able to set aside that same dollar amount, or more, into my sinking funds for whatever the actual *need* (vs. want) is. I can't even begin to tell you how often we do repairs on cars that are totally preventable! Preventative maintenance is a real thing, and it doesn't cost as much as people think.
On average car repairs can add up to $1200 per year.
Maintenance on the other hand, if done when needed is totally doable. If you do the maintenance when it's actually due, it lets you spread the cost out over time. So many people decline services that are only due once every 6 months, or 24 months, because they don't think it's necessary.... until their cars break down, and then they really don't have the money, because they've spent it on getting their nails done, (we see your pretty nails), they've spent it on expensive shoes, handbags, etc., but "can't" afford car maintenance. As someone who also likes nice things, I understand the pull to have said nice things. That said if you have a car that is falling apart due to neglect, you have issues with prioritizing things.
Oil changes arw due every six months or 6K miles (whichever comes first) is roughly $60, if your car uses full synthetic oil. Every three months if it uses conventional oil, and no, you do not get to choose your oil type or viscosity. You must use whatever the manufacturer says your engine needs, or you'll be spending money you don't have to buy a new engine.
Tire rotations done every oil change and run about $25.00.
Alignments done annually whether you think your car needs it or not, because it prevents uneven tread wear on your tires. Runs about $150.00. Tires are expensive, so just take care of them.
Brake fluid service is done every two years or every 24K miles (whichever comes first), and can cost around $199.00.
Transmission service every 3 years or every 30K miles (whichever comes first), and can cost around $300.00.
Coolant service every four years or 50K miles (whichever comes first), and can run about $249.00.
Brakes as needed; $245.00... usually every three to five years, depending on your braking habits. Learn to coast to slow down, before braking for lights and stop signs. It'll save you some money on your brakes.
Budget about $1200 for repairs annually, because break downs happen, unfortunately. Keeping and maintaining a car can be less costly than having to replace a car and have a car payment.
If you absolutely must buy a car, get a Toyota, as they are the most dependable vehicles on the road right now. Unfortunately, domestic brands and some other Asian brands are struggling to build reliable cars, and failing miserably. 😢 Don't buy a European car unless you're ready for the upkeep and maintenance they require. They do cost more.
Anywho.. just some financial car advice for anyone who needs it. Dealerships and repair shops really aren't trying to rip you off. I promise. At least not the honest ones. The cars that are being made now aren't the same cars our parents and grandparents drove, so they need a bit more care.
It seems overwhelming, but honestly we tend to spend more money on things we don't need, when that money could be put towards saving for the inevitable. I tell myself this every day, too, because I like to spend.
My heart sinks every time I have to give huge estimates for repairs, that were avoidable. I had to do that exact thing today, when I told a young girl and her father that the issues she's experiencing with her car are due to the transmission failing, because it has never been serviced. Ever. I handed them a $6,000.00 estimate. It broke the young girls heart, and her father was clearly disappointed. Now they trying to decide whether they need to scramble to find the money to replace the transmission, or buy his teenage daughter a new car. Either way, they will go into debt to do one or the other, because cars are super expensive to purchase these days, and transmission replacement is costly too.
Cars literally aren't built like they used to be, so take care of the ones you have.
Thank you for taking your time to write all that and share your experience.
But my nails are $5 press on’s from Walmart lol
We are all trying our best which is why we are making it a point to budget in the first place.
I just wouldn’t be too quick to judge on people’s expenses.
@@TheMeryLife I wasn't commenting on your nails specifically. I apologize sincerely if it seemed that way! I too buy my nails for a great price, (Amazon) and glue them on to save money! 😊 I'm talking about those who very obviously get their nails done at a salon, and can justify the expense, but then can't afford maintenance. It takes so little money, if it's set aside a little at a time, and then when the maintenance comes due the money is there.
I'm also always interested in where good salons are at, so if their nails look nice I ask, because good nail salons are hard to find. I used to go to a salon twice a month to get my nails done and was spending $75.00 per month, and I wasn't totally thrilled with how they looked, plus they broke all the time, which is one of the reasons I learned how to do my own nails. It's just always fascinating to me what people will spend money on, but then don't have the money for maintenance on their cars. At the end of the day, it does all boil down to choice. If one can afford both I don't begrudge them the expense at all. I just have a hard time swallowing the logic some use, especially when they get upset to learn their manufacturer warranties are void due to neglect. That's another reason to maintain a vehicle, and most people aren't aware of the fact that you run the risk of voiding your warranty if cars aren't maintained. I'm just sharing some insight from my perspective, to help people get into the habit of saving just a little more towards their needs vs wants, as opposed to getting a huge estimate for repairs or tons of maintenance that really is needed. It's something I've had to learn to do myself, and the first thing I did (when I wasn't making great money) was to cut all unnecessary expenses. It saved me so much money. It takes discipline for sure.
I pride myself on being the most honest service advisor in the business. I've actually advised customers, on occasion, against repairing cars, when the repair costs exceed the value of the car. I don't feel it's right to take their money when it would be better spent on a newer vehicle.
Again, my apologies if it seemed as if I was singling you out. Your nails do look great though! 😊
I completely agree with what you’re saying. So many people see their “wants” of specific things as “necessities”. I hear far too often people complaining about their lack of money but their smoking or vaping or buying the latest makeup/hair products etc.
Where did you get your pen? So cute!
Thanks! Found it at Homegoods
Very nice. Ty.
Thanks for watching!
Nicely done! Loved this idea and your great attitude and creativity!
Thanks so much! 😊
Your so cute!!!! Keep it up
Please create a pdf book to print and bind. I would purchase it : )
Yes i can definitely create something like that 😊
Where can I get the little planner that you show
Its a Katie Daisy planner. From Amazon. I love it and very affordable! 😊
I will be recommending your channel to my subscribers because this is super cool
Thankyou! 😊
@@TheMeryLife you’re so welcome! And congratulations
I went to target to get the same notebook and I can't find it at all.
Oh no. I hope they didnt stop selling :(
Do u another notebook that I could buy. I went online too see if they have that notebook and they don't sell it online.
Not really but i’m sure they can be easy to find 😃 if not Target maybe walmart 😉
Congrats on being a mom
Thankyou! ❤️
You favor Alicia Keys 😍😁
I have only four bills a month . And four every fortnight.
Hey you have my name and not many people have my name
😃
To much unnecessary talking in the beginning
😉
No matter how you do it, budgeting is so important if you want to take control of your financial destiny. This is how Tom and I manage our family finances and include our financial goals. czcams.com/video/rd8WkxvMAqg/video.html xCC
Thank you!!!! This works sooo much better for me. I've been looking and looking for something that can work for me and this is the only thing that makes sense! 💡 🤩
Thank you! So glad it can help! 😃