We know money better than most – and, with more than 170 years of managing money, we’re full of ideas on how to spend and save. Whether it’s choosing the right savings account, tips for students, or advice on savings goals to set in the short, medium and long term, we make money personal.
One way we can help you manage your money and turn you from big spender to savvy saver is through budgeting. Our tips make things less tricky, so you can save more quickly or even save earlier than you thought. We’ve commissioned bullet journal influencer, Abby – who uses it to organise everything from scheduling and fitness, to spending – to make budgeting clear, clever and creative.
What’s a bullet journal we hear you ask? Well, if you’re not up to speed with the 2010’s most popular way of journaling, here’s a definition. A bullet journal, known for short as a BuJo is a way of personal organisation developed by designer Ryder Carroll. The system organises scheduling, reminders, to-do lists, brainstorming, and other organizational tasks into a single notebook with a specific style of writing and doodling.
1. Record your spending…
It might sound obvious, but one of the best ways to organise your budget is to be open and honest about what you’re spending – right down to the coffee you grabbed on the way to work. With bullet journalling, you can create a spread over a week or even a month to track exactly what you’ve spent within a specific category, such as groceries, clothing and travel. It’s a great way to visually see what you’re spending and can help you make adjustments in the future.
2. ….Even 'no spend' days
Whenever you have a day of no spending, be sure to mark it in your bullet journal by colouring in a square. You’ll quickly see how many times you’ve managed it, and can challenge yourself to do better the next month.
‘No spend’ days can be really helpful for those struggling to budget. You’ll soon see you’re not on your own; members of Beehive Money, our bloggers and the general public are all uniting to stop spending on anything but essentials (such as groceries, bills and commuting costs).
3. Motivate yourself
You can track your savings even more easily by totting them up bit by bit. First choose a savings goal – say, £100. Then, split into achievable steps – like £10. Finally, colour-as-you-go and see your savings grow before your eyes.
Tracking your spending can help you stay on top of your savings goals. Our visual guide helps you see what you’re spending, saving and budgeting to keep motivated month-by-month, so you save even more over time. Even better, the bullet journal method can be used in any old notebook – though you can also buy from the official website to use the standard dot-grid system. If you’re looking for money-saving tips, check out our blog to browse our latest articles, or head over to our fast saving tips article for a bit more inspiration. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and share your spending trackers.
