How can we even handle budgeting amounts of money we can’t predict? What if you don’t bring in enough money in one month to cover your bills? How do you plan for handling excess income responsibly on other months?
These are questions that inevitably come up when we look at neatly presented budgeting and money planning systems. And irregular income may have been the reason we quit trying to use a budget in the past.
Today I’m sharing with you my tried and tested budgeting method for variable income
Have a question you want answered on the podcast? Email Eowyn your Q in text or audio form: hello@plumtreemoney.com I can’t wait to hear from you!How can we even
Free Guide: 3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Finances When Your Money is a Mess
This week on the Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode #23
What does a budgeting process even look like? How do you make sure you’re doing it right?
I walk you through the basic process you’ll use every time you sit down to plan your money. And address things like:
How to stay motivatedWhat system should you use when you budgetWhy you want to incorporate a calendar element to your budgetThe best way to organize your expenses
“if things are generally kind of chaotic with your money, and if you have variable income, one of the most effective tools that is there for you is using a budget” Eowyn Levene, Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 23
We’ll also get into some more hardcore budgeting additions you can make to really boost your progress. Then we get to the heart of it:
How to use a budget and succeed when you have irregular and variable income (23:26)
the three key elements to make this work one core concept that changes everything when it comes to budgeting variable income how to prepare for a successful budget when you’re self-employed and not sure what your income will be
“don’t pay too much attention to dollar specific or percentage specific advice”
Eowyn Levene, Creatives Do Money Podcast, Episode 23
My take on what common budgeting advice to just avoid
The percentages that won’t help you in the long run. A common structure for saving and debt payoff planning that just doesn’t work with irregular income. Taking your age and life circumstances into account
Resources / Links
Basic Budget Spreadsheet Template to Copy and Use
Episode 21 – Budgeting: A Most Misunderstood Word
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com