Organizational Checklist for Budgeting

To a certain extent, budgeting is just about creating a system for yourself. If you're new to budgeting (and you're feeling overwhelmed at the process), I wanted to drop share some tips to help you.

__For clarity, it's a good rule of thumb to have all weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual expenses be debited from one account.

__Create a list of all weekly, monthly, semi-annual, and annual expenses. Make sure you know what amounts are debited and when.

__If need be, know when recurring and auto-debited expenses will occur. Put those reminders on a calendar.

__If need be, install your providers' apps and/or make sure you have easy access to your online accounts. (That could also include re-setting passwords).

__For your emergency fund, open a separate savings account, connect it to checking, and label it EMERGENCY. DO NOT USE IT FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN EMERGENCIES.

__For your hills and valley fund, open a separate savings account, connect it to checking, and label it HILLS AND VALLEYS. DO NOT USE IT FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHEN YOU NEED TO COVER LEANER MONTHS.

__It's also a good rule of thumb to have $100 as a buffer/padding in your checking account

case of overdraft (or, in case, some trial subscription you signed up for 8 years ago suddenly debits you).