15 Tips for a Simple Budget Plan

I used to spend money to fill a hole in my heart.

When I was stuck in a cycle of binge eating and endless gaming, my bank account was a reflection of my inner chaos. A delivery order here. A new game there. It was all a way to chase a fleeting feeling of happiness. But it never lasted. The guilt always followed, both for my health and for my finances. Getting a handle on my money felt just as impossible as losing 110 pounds.

But it wasn't.

Just like with my health, it started with one small, intentional step. Budgeting isn't about restriction. It's about freedom. It's about telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. It’s about building a life you don't need to escape from.

If you feel overwhelmed by your finances, I get it. I’ve been there. But I promise you, with a few simple changes, you can take back control.

First, Find Your Reason

Before you look at a single number, ask yourself why. Why do you want to manage your money better? Do you want to pay off debt and feel that weight lift off your shoulders? Do you dream of buying a home? Do you want to be more generous with your church or with people in need?

Your "why" is your motivation. It's what will keep you going when you’re tempted to order that expensive takeout. Write it down and put it somewhere you can see it. A budget without a purpose is just a spreadsheet. A budget with a purpose is a plan for your future.

See Budgeting as Stewardship

For me, this was a game-changer. My faith teaches me that everything I have is a gift from God. My time, my health, and yes, my money. Budgeting became an act of worship. It was my way of being a good and faithful steward of the resources God entrusted to me.

This reframed everything. It wasn't about deprivation anymore. It was about honoring God by using His gifts wisely. It shifted my focus from wanting more things to wanting to build a life of purpose and peace. It helped me detach from the materialism that fueled my old habits.

15 Simple Tips for a Budget That Actually Works

Forget complicated software and confusing financial advice. Let's keep this simple. Here are the practical steps that helped me go from financial chaos to clarity.

1. Track for One Week. Don't commit to tracking every penny forever. Just do it for seven days. Use a small notebook or a notes app. Write down everything you spend. No judgment. This is just about gathering information. You might be shocked at where your money is going. I know I was.

2. Create a Bare-Bones Budget. Income minus expenses. That's it. List your total monthly income. Then list your fixed expenses: rent/mortgage, utilities, car payment, etc. What’s left is what you have for everything else.

3. Follow the 50/30/20 Guideline. This is a great starting point. Aim to spend about 50% of your income on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and debt repayment. It’s not a strict rule. It’s a guide to help you find balance.

4. Pay Yourself First. Automate your savings. Set up an automatic transfer from your checking to your savings account for every payday. Even if it's just $25. When the money is out of sight, you're less likely to spend it.

5. Use Cash for Trouble Spots. Do you overspend on groceries or coffee? Try the envelope method. At the start of the week, put your budgeted cash amount in an envelope. When the cash is gone, it’s gone. It makes spending real again.

6. Plan Your Meals. This was huge for my weight loss and my wallet. Planning meals stops you from making last-minute, expensive decisions like ordering pizza because you don't know what to cook.

7. Unsubscribe. Go through your email and unsubscribe from every single store marketing list. If you don’t see the sale, you can’t be tempted by it. This is a simple five-minute task that saves you a fortune.

8. The 24-Hour Rule. For any non-essential purchase over $50, wait 24 hours. Impulse buying thrives on urgency. A day later, you’ll often realize you didn’t want it that badly after all.

9. Schedule a Weekly "No-Spend" Day. Pick one day a week where you don’t spend any money. Pack your lunch, make coffee at home, and find free ways to entertain yourself. It builds discipline.

10. Find Free Hobbies. My old hobbies cost me a lot of money. I replaced them with things that filled my soul instead of emptying my wallet. Things like long walks, reading books from the library, spending more time in prayer, or just having deep conversations with friends.

11. Review Once a Month. A budget needs to be flexible. Sit down for 20 minutes at the end of the month. How did you do? What needs to change for next month? Life happens. Your budget should adapt.

12. Celebrate the Small Wins. Did you stick to your grocery budget? Did you save an extra $50? Acknowledge it. Just like in my weight loss journey, celebrating small victories built the momentum I needed to keep going.

13. Get on the Same Page. If you’re married or share finances with a partner, you have to talk about money. Schedule a time to sit down together, share your goals, and make a plan as a team. It will prevent so much conflict and stress.

14. Look for a Better Deal. Once a year, review your recurring bills like car insurance, cell phone, and internet. A quick phone call or some online research can often lower your monthly payments.

15. Give Yourself Grace. You will mess up. You will overspend. It’s okay. Don’t let one bad day derail your whole plan. Tomorrow is a new day. Show yourself the same grace you would show a friend.

This journey is about progress, not perfection. Taking control of your finances is one of the most powerful things you can do for your well-being. It reduces stress, builds discipline, and frees you up to focus on what truly matters.

So what's one small step you can take today? Just one. Maybe it's unsubscribing from a few emails. Maybe it's writing down your "why."

Start there. You’ve got this.