Learn · 3 min read

Every dollar gets a job

Think about it

Do you know what is left after this month's bills, before the month begins?

Myth

We know roughly what we spend, so writing it down is unnecessary.

Truth

Roughly is where the month slips. Writing it down shows what is actually there.

The idea

A budget is a list of decisions: what comes in, what goes out, and what is left. Nothing more complicated than that.

If nothing is left, the same list shows the one or two lines that could change next month.

Example

Writing down every expense for a single week usually turns up two or three charges a household had forgotten they were paying.

One sentence, saved privately to your plan. Optional.

Ask yourself

What would you want to see in black and white about your month?

Try it

One move

Write next month's budget before the month starts

Go deeper

General education only, not advice.