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So you hate budgeting?

Rachel Osborne-Schwartz
Aug 11, 2016
2 min read

For those of you who can't stand the thought of setting aside time to create a budget spreadsheet or simply don't know where to begin, the good news is you're not alone. Here are 3 tips to get you on your way to financial freedom.

#1 - Get past the fear. Many people avoid reviewing their finances because it's just too darn scary. But think about it this way - do you want to continue on the same path guessing at how much is in your bank account each month or do you want feel confident and allow your self to focus on enjoying your latest new purchase knowing that you can safely afford it? The first step is to realize it only gets easier once you dive into it and learn your numbers. By knowing exactly how much you make and what your expenses are you can feel in control of your spending, regardless of how big or small the budget is.

#2 - I can't stress this enough - find what works for you. I enjoy the time consuming approach of tallying each of my receipts every week to keep track of my spending, it helps me know exactly where my money is going, but others may prefer a hands off approach. You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or an app - but pick one. A budget in your head does not count.

#3 - Read "Financially Fearless" by Alexa Von Tobel, founder of LearnVest. I first read her book a few years ago and it's changed my life, I continue to re-read it and re-work certain chapters as needed. I recommend reading through it fully first to get familiar with the topics, and then go back to review the chapters that you most want to focus on.

Bonus: For a more hands off approach, here are 5 apps to help you get started