March 31, 2025 • 18 mins
https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-budgeting-and-finance
Financial freedom starts with awareness, and nothing creates awareness quite like the physical act of writing things down. In our hyper-digital world, the humble journal might be the surprisingly powerful tool that transforms your entire financial life.
We explore how the tactile experience of pen meeting paper creates a unique cognitive connection that digital tools simply can't replicate. When you physically write down your expenses, savings goals, and financial dreams, something remarkable happens in your brain - you remember better, commit more deeply, and develop a heightened awareness of your money patterns.
The conversation spotlights the Lestallion Budgeting Journal with its thoughtful design features: 211 numbered pages, premium paper that prevents ink bleed-through, an organized table of contents, and a portable format that makes consistent tracking possible. These aren't just fancy extras - they're intentional elements that turn abstract financial intentions into concrete progress.
Beyond the practical aspects, we dive into the psychological benefits of financial journaling. There's a profound shift that occurs when you transform vague money goals into written commitments. Those "mystery purchases" that drain bank accounts become immediately visible. Daily financial decisions gain context within your larger goals. The simple act of reviewing your handwritten entries creates accountability that digital notifications rarely achieve.
Through practical steps and real examples, we demonstrate how anyone can use journaling to develop deeper financial literacy, eliminate wasteful habits, build self-discipline, and create a positive money mindset. The conversation moves beyond basic budgeting into how documenting your financial journey can fundamentally reshape your relationship with money itself.
Ready to master your finances instead of just managing them? Grab a pen and discover how putting your financial life on paper might be the game-changing approach you've been missing. What small step could you take today to begin?
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LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.
For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, so we're back and ready to dive deep into
something we all think about alot.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Our finances, yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You know, money can be a bit of a tricky subject for
a lot of people, right?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
But we all want to feel like we've got a good
handle on it.
Right To really feel in controlof our money.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Like we're making smart choices and working
towards those goals that we setfor ourselves.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
And one surprisingly effective way to do this is
through journaling.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Journaling.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
I know it might sound a little old school in our
digital world.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Right.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
But, trust me, there's something about
physically writing things downthat can make a huge difference
in how we manage our money.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I think people are kind of rediscovering that in a
way.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
You think so?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, like with bullet journaling and that kind
of thing.
There's just something aboutthat tactile experience right
that helps it stick in your mindmore than just typing it into
an app totally agree.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah, and speaking of things that stick, we've been
looking at some reallyinteresting stuff about this
listallion journal oh yeah, thebudgeting and finance one.
I've heard good things so forthose of you who aren't familiar
with the Stillion they makethese amazing journals.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
They do.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
With a real focus on quality and design.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah, their stuff is beautiful.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
And their budgeting journal.
It's not just a pretty notebook.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
No.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
It's packed with features that can actually
change how you approach yourwhole financial life.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Really gets you thinking differently about money
.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So let's break it down.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Why would anyone even bother with a budgeting journal
in the first place?
Yeah, good question you know,with all the apps and
spreadsheets out there.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I mean, it seems almost counterintuitive, right.
Yeah, in a way Going back topen and paper when everything's
digital these days?
Speaker 1 (01:39):
But think about it how many times have you had like
a financial goal or intention?
Oh all the time it just kind ofstays stuck in your head.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Or like on a random note on your phone.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Exactly, or maybe you start a spreadsheet and never
finish it.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Oh, yeah, the unfinished spreadsheet graveyard
.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Right, it's like a digital purgatory for good
intention.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
But a dedicated journal.
It gives you this tangiblespace to really get those ideas
out of your head.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah, you're making it real.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
And onto paper.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Right, like you're taking those abstract goals.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Like saving for a down payment or paying off debt.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
And turning them into concrete steps.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, you're not just thinking about it anymore.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You're doing something, you're writing it
down, you're committing to it.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
And that act of writing it down.
There's something powerfulabout it?
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh, absolutely, it's like it helps your brain
actually process and rememberthe information better.
Yeah, there's research on that,seriously.
Yeah, it's like the physicalact of writing engages different
parts of your brain.
Interesting it helps withmemory and focus.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Okay, so it's not just me then.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
No, not at all.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Because I swear, I remember things way better when
I write them down.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah, it's a real thing.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Like mental notes, they just disappear.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
They evaporate them down.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, it's a real thing.
Like mental notes, they justdisappear, they evaporate.
But if I write it down.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
it's like it's solidified, it's real.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
And with finances.
I think the biggest strugglefor most people isn't even
understanding how to budgetRight.
It's actually doing it theconsistency, Exactly Staying on
top of tracking expenses andactually managing your debt.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Yeah, it's the day-to-day grind.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Right and a journal.
It gives you that structure youneed to stay consistent.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
The framework.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yeah, it's like a built-in accountability partner.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
That's a good way to put it.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Right, because you're literally facing your finances
every time you open that journal.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
You can't hide from it.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
This reminds me of my friend Sarah, actually, oh yeah
, she was trying to save forthis big trip and she had the
best intentions, but every monthshe'd be like where did all my
money go?
The classic Right.
And then she started using anotebook to track every single
expense.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Every little thing.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yeah, even like a coffee or a snack.
Wow, and it was crazy how thosesmall purchases added up.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
It's always the small stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Right, and when she saw it written down in black and
white she was like, oh OK, Iget it now.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
It clicked.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, and that's what a dedicated budgeting journal
does.
Yeah, it takes that basic ideaof tracking everything and turns
it into this whole system.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Right, with features that are designed to help you
succeed.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
OK, so let's talk about the Lestallion Journal
specifically.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
All right, let's dive in.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Because it's more than just blank pages, right?
Oh way more.
They really put thought intothe design.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, they did their research.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
So first off the paper.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
The paper.
What about it?
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It's this thick, 120 GSM wood-free paper.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Oh wow, that's fancy.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
I know, right, and you might be thinking who cares
about the paper?
Right, but trust me, okay, ifyou like to use different
colored pens to categorize yourspending.
Oh, or if you just want yourjournal to look really nice and
clean.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
This paper is amazing .
Speaker 2 (04:35):
No bleed through.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
No bleed through at all.
It's like a dream to write on.
That's a big deal, and it makesthose colorful charts and
graphs so much more satisfyingto create.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
You know it's funny.
You mentioned the colored pens.
It reminds me of my grandfather.
He was a small business ownerand he always kept these
meticulous records in hisnotebooks.
Like different colored inks forincome and expenses and those
pages were like his lifeline tounderstanding his business.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, and the quality of the paper meant those
records stayed clear and legiblefor years.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
So you're saying this Lestallion Journal could be
like a historical record of yourfinancial life?
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Exactly.
You're creating an archive.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I love that idea.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
And speaking of keeping track of things over
time, this Lestallion Journal.
It has 211 numbered pages 211.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
That's a lot.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Right, so clearly they're not messing around.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Yeah, they're serious about budgeting.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
They want you to use this thing for a long time.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
To really track your progress.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Over months, even years.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
It's like a long-term commitment to your finances.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Exactly which is what it should be Right.
It's not a quick fix, it's ajourney.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
A marathon, not a sprint.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Okay, so we've got the numbered pages, which is
already a great feature.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Yeah For keeping things organized.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
But then they go a step further and add a table of
contents.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Oh wow, A table of contents in a journal.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
I know right, it's genius.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Yeah, that's actually really useful.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Because think about it If you want to go back and
review your spending from lastyear.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Or see how much you spent on groceries during the
holidays.
Without a table of contents,you'd be flipping through pages
forever.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, good luck finding anything.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
But with the table of contents you can instantly find
the exact information you need.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
It's like an index for your financial life.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Seriously, it's so smart.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
They thought of everything.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Okay, and then the pages themselves.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
The pages.
What about them?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
They're dashed lined.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Dashed lined Okay.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
With a really nice 7.5 millimeter spacing.
So you've got the structure oflines for neat writing.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
But you also have enough freedom to create your
own trackers and charts.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh, that's cool.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
You can even sketch out ideas or write down
motivational quotes.
It's versatile.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
It even sketch out ideas or write down motivational
quotes.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
It's versatile.
It's like a blank canvas foryour financial dreams.
I like that and then on top ofall that no-transcript, there's
more.
They've got these littlepractical features that just
make life easier.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Okay, like what?
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Like back pockets for receipts and reminders.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Oh, that's handy.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Right.
No more crumpled up pieces ofpaper floating around in your
bag.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, I'm always losing receipts.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Me too it's a nightmare.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
This solves that problem.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
And then the cover.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
The cover.
What about it?
Speaker 1 (07:10):
It's this soft faux leather.
Oh nice, it feels reallyprofessional.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Yeah, it's like you're taking your finances
seriously.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Right, and it's also super durable, so it can handle
being tossed around in your bag.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Important for a journal that you're carrying
everywhere.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
And then the size.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yeah, is it bulky?
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Not at all.
It's actually really compact,so it's easy to take with you
wherever you go.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
For those on-the-go budgeting moments.
Exactly, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Because, let's be real, we don't always make
financial decisions sitting atour desks.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Not always.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Sometimes it's at the grocery store or out with
friends.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Right in the heat of the moment.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
And having your journal with you means you can
track those expenses right away.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Before you forget.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Exactly.
Before they become thosemystery purchases at the end of
the month.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
The dreaded mystery purchases.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
So it's like all these little details they add up
to make budgeting less of achore.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Right Less intimidating.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
And more of a seamless part of your life.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Like it's just something you do.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Exactly, it becomes a habit.
A good habit, and that's thekey right Consistency.
Consistency, because we allknow those common budgeting
pitfalls.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Tell me about it Like overspending?
Yeah, because you just losetrack of where your money's
going.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Oh yeah, been there.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Or those dreaded late fees because you forgot about a
bill.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Or that feeling of complete financial chaos.
Oh yeah, like you're drowningin numbers and you're just
reacting to everything insteadof being in control.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Exactly, and this is where a structured journal can
really save the day.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
How so.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Well, first off, by having dedicated pages for
monthly expense trackers, you'reforced to actually confront
your spending habits you can'tignore it right, because you're
writing down every purchase andseeing it all laid out and that
could be a real eye-opener ohyeah, makes it real and then
having a bill calendar oh yeah,that's a good one.
It gives you this visualoverview of all your financial
(08:56):
obligations.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
So you don't miss any deadlines.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Exactly no more late fees.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
And then for debt repayment.
You can create a whole sectionin your journal to outline your
strategies.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Oh smart.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
You can break down what can feel like this huge,
overwhelming burden.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Yeah, debt can be really scary.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Into manageable steps .
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Right, Like you're taking control.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
And again that act of writing it down.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It makes a difference .
Speaker 1 (09:20):
It does.
It's like you're making acommitment.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
A promise to yourself .
Speaker 1 (09:23):
To tackle that debt and get on top of your finances.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
And it's not just about the practical side either.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
What do you mean?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I think writing things down can also impact our
mindset.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
How so.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Well, it's one thing to see a number on a screen.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Like your credit card balance.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
It's another to actually write it down.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Yeah, it feels different.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
It does.
It's like it becomes more real,more tangible, and that can
create a stronger sense ofmotivation to change things.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
To take action.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
So it's about creating that clarity and
control.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, taking ownership of your finances.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
And a journal like the Listallion, with its
durability and well thought outlayout.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
He really supports that.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
It becomes this reliable tool that you can use
to build good financial habits.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
And stick with them.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Over the long term.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Because that's what it's all about, right, right.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
It's not about a quick fix.
It's about creating asustainable system that works
for you and helps you reach yourgoals.
And creating a sustainablesystem that works for you and
helps you reach your goals, anda journal can be a big part of
that.
So for our listeners out therewho are thinking, ok, this
sounds great.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
But how do I actually use a budgeting journal
effectively?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Yeah, let's get practical.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Let's break it down into steps, ok, and keep in mind
those helpful features we'vebeen talking about.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
With the Listallion journal.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Exactly yeah, Because those features they're not just
random.
They're there for a reasonthey're designed to make this
whole process easier and moreeffective.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
So step one, what is it?
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Step one is to set clear financial goals, and this
is where you want to be asspecific as possible.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Right, Not just like.
I want to save more money.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Yeah, that's too vague.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yeah, you need a target.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Exactly so.
Instead of just save more money, You'd say something like I
want to save $5,000 for a downpayment on a house being next
December.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Okay, there you go.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
That's a clear goal.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It's measurable, it's time bound.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
And it gives you something concrete to work
towards.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
And to track your progress against.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And when you write it down in your journal.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
It becomes even more real.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
It does.
It's like you're putting it outinto the universe.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Manifesting your financial dreams.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Okay, step two.
What's next?
Track your income and expenses.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
The bread and butter of budgeting.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Right, and this is where those dedicated pages in
the Listallion Journal come inhandy.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
You've got space for everything.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
You can create separate sections for each month
and use columns or differentcolored pens To categorize your
spending.
Yeah, like needs versus wants,Fixed expenses versus variable
expenses.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
And that thick paper.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Oh yeah, that glorious paper.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
It can handle all the highlighting and color coding
you can throw at it.
It's a budgeting dream cometrue.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Okay, and what does all this tracking actually do
for you?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
It gives you this incredible awareness of where
your money's actually going.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Yeah, because a lot of times we're clueless.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
We are, we just kind of spend mindlessly?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Until we look at our bank statement and we're like,
oh, Exactly, and then it's toolate.
But when you're trackingeverything in real time.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
It's like you're shining a light on your spending
habits.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
You're becoming more mindful.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
And you can start to identify those areas where you
might be overspending.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
The leaks in the budget.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Exactly and make adjustments before it's too late
.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Okay, so step three.
What's next, let's talk aboutmonthly trackers.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Oh yeah, these are awesome.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
I love a good monthly tracker.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
The Listallion Journal.
It has this calendar stylelayout that's perfect for noting
down when your bills are due.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
So you can see everything at a glance.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Exactly no more missed payment.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
And no more late fees , and you can also use this
space to summarize your totalincome and expenses at the end
of each month.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Okay, so you get a big picture view.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Yeah, like a financial snapshot.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Of how you did that month.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
Okay, and this is where it gets fun.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Fun.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Step four.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Okay, I'm intrigued.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Incorporate savings challenges and visual trackers.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Oh, I love this.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Me too, it's like the creative part of budgeting.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Yeah, because who says budgeting has to be boring?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Exactly so you can create a bar graph to track your
savings progress.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
And color it in as you go.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, or come up with a visual representation of a
specific goal.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Like what.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
I knew someone who was up with a visual
representation of a specificgoal, like what I knew someone
who was saving for a downpayment on a house and she drew
a picture of her dream house.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Oh, that's cute.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
And then for every $500 she saved.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
She'd color in a section of the roof.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Exactly, it was so motivating for her.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, I can see that.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
And again with that listallion paper.
Yeah, it makes, and again withthat listallion paper.
It makes these creative touchesso much more enjoyable.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
It's like you're turning your journal into a work
of art.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Exactly A financial masterpiece.
I love that.
All right and last but notleast, step five.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
The final step.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Review your progress regularly.
Okay, this is important, thisis crucial, because it's not
just about writing things down.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
It's about learning from it.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Exactly so, at the end of each week, or at least at
the end of each month.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Sit down with your journal.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
And really look back at your spending.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Your savings.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Your progress towards your goals.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Did you stick to your budget?
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Were there any surprises?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
What adjustments do you need to make?
Speaker 1 (14:10):
And this is where those numbered pages and the
table of contents become superhelpful.
They allow you to easilyrevisit previous periods and
spot trends in your behavior.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Like maybe you always overspend on eating out in
December.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Or maybe you consistently underestimate your
grocery budget.
Right, and once you see thosepatterns, you can start to make
more informed decisions.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And break those bad habits.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So it's like a constant cycle of tracking.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Analyzing.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
To optimize your finances.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
And don't be afraid to personalize your journal.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Oh yeah, make it your own.
The source material mentionsusing stickers or washi tape.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
To highlight important things.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Or A source material mentions using stickers or washi
tape To highlight importantthings or add motivational
quotes and affirmations To keepyou inspired.
And with that amazing paperfrom the Listallion Journal.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Even something as simple as writing down a few
things you're grateful for eachday.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
That can become a really nice ritual.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
It's like you're infusing your journal with
positive energy.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
And that can make a big difference in how you
approach your finances.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
So it's not just about numbers.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
It's about mindset too.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
It's about creating this whole positive financial
ecosystem.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
In your journal.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
And the benefits of this kind of intentional
budgeting.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
They go way beyond just managing your money.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
They do, you start to develop this deeper financial
literacy.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It's like you're leveling up your financial
skills.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Yeah, you're not just reacting to things anymore.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
You're becoming more proactive.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
You're making conscious choices about your
spending.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
You're understanding your priorities.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
And you're building self-discipline.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Which is a valuable skill in all areas of life.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Right, not just with money.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
And it's amazing how just the act of tracking your
spending.
Can naturally lead toeliminating those wasteful
habits, you start to see wherethe money's going and you're
like, oh, I don't actually needthat.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Exactly and writing down your goals.
It creates this sense ofaccountability that you just
don't get from thinking aboutthem.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
It's like you're making a promise to yourself.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
And the regular practice of journaling.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
It encourages mindfulness.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Yeah, you're being more present with your financial
decisions.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Not just mindlessly swiping your credit card.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
And a journal like the Listallion.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
With its durable cover and portable size.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
It's the perfect companion for this journey.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
It's like your financial sidekick.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Always there to keep you on track.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
So imagine this You've been using your budgeting
journal consistently.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
For a few months.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
And you sit down to review your progress.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
You open up your journal.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
And you see tangible evidence of everything you've
accomplished.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
It's all right there in black and white.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
You've reached your savings goal.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
You've paid down your debt.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
You feel this incredible sense of financial
security.
Yeah and independence and thatfeeling.
It's priceless.
It is Security, yeah, andindependence and that feeling
it's priceless, it is, it'sempowering.
And it all started with asimple journal.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Who knew a notebook could be so powerful?
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Right, and the rewards of this kind of
consistent budgeting?
They're huge, they are.
You boost your financialconfidence.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
You reduce your stress.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
You open up possibilities for the future,
whether that's investing.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Or just having more freedom and flexibility in your
life.
And with the Listallion Journalyou've got all the space you
need to track your progress andplan for the long term.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Those 211 pages they're not just for show.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
They're there to support you every step of the
way.
So to wrap things up, the bigtakeaway a dedicated journal
especially one designed withintention, like the Listallion.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
It can be a game changer for your finances.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
It's about creating this structured, tangible record
of your financial life.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
That helps you become more aware.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
More accountable.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
And ultimately, more in control.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
You're not just managing your money.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
You're mastering it.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
You're taking charge of your financial future.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
And that's a powerful feeling.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
It is.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
So here's a thought for you to ponder.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
I'm listening.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
How might intentionally documenting your
financial journey in a tangibleway-.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Hint to paper.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Reshape your relationship with money.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
And those future goals.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
What small step could you take today?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
To begin that process .
Speaker 1 (18:05):
That's your homework.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Food for thought.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Thanks for diving deep with us.
All right, so we're back and ready to dive deep into
something we all think about alot.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Our finances, yeah.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You know, money can be a bit of a tricky subject for
a lot of people, right?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
But we all want to feel like we've got a good
handle on it.
Right To really feel in controlof our money.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Like we're making smart choices and working
towards those goals that we setfor ourselves.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
And one surprisingly effective way to do this is
through journaling.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Journaling.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
I know it might sound a little old school in our
digital world.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Right.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
But, trust me, there's something about
physically writing things downthat can make a huge difference
in how we manage our money.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I think people are kind of rediscovering that in a
way.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
You think so?
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, like with bullet journaling and that kind
of thing.
There's just something aboutthat tactile experience right
that helps it stick in your mindmore than just typing it into
an app totally agree.
Speaker 1 (00:50):
Yeah, and speaking of things that stick, we've been
looking at some reallyinteresting stuff about this
listallion journal oh yeah, thebudgeting and finance one.
I've heard good things so forthose of you who aren't familiar
with the Stillion they makethese amazing journals.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
They do.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
With a real focus on quality and design.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah, their stuff is beautiful.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
And their budgeting journal.
It's not just a pretty notebook.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
No.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
It's packed with features that can actually
change how you approach yourwhole financial life.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Really gets you thinking differently about money
.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So let's break it down.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Why would anyone even bother with a budgeting journal
in the first place?
Yeah, good question you know,with all the apps and
spreadsheets out there.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I mean, it seems almost counterintuitive, right.
Yeah, in a way Going back topen and paper when everything's
digital these days?
Speaker 1 (01:39):
But think about it how many times have you had like
a financial goal or intention?
Oh all the time it just kind ofstays stuck in your head.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Or like on a random note on your phone.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Exactly, or maybe you start a spreadsheet and never
finish it.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Oh, yeah, the unfinished spreadsheet graveyard
.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Right, it's like a digital purgatory for good
intention.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
But a dedicated journal.
It gives you this tangiblespace to really get those ideas
out of your head.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah, you're making it real.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
And onto paper.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Right, like you're taking those abstract goals.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Like saving for a down payment or paying off debt.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
And turning them into concrete steps.
Speaker 1 (02:12):
Yeah, you're not just thinking about it anymore.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You're doing something, you're writing it
down, you're committing to it.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
And that act of writing it down.
There's something powerfulabout it?
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Oh, absolutely, it's like it helps your brain
actually process and rememberthe information better.
Yeah, there's research on that,seriously.
Yeah, it's like the physicalact of writing engages different
parts of your brain.
Interesting it helps withmemory and focus.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Okay, so it's not just me then.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
No, not at all.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Because I swear, I remember things way better when
I write them down.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Yeah, it's a real thing.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Like mental notes, they just disappear.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
They evaporate them down.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, it's a real thing.
Like mental notes, they justdisappear, they evaporate.
But if I write it down.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
it's like it's solidified, it's real.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
And with finances.
I think the biggest strugglefor most people isn't even
understanding how to budgetRight.
It's actually doing it theconsistency, Exactly Staying on
top of tracking expenses andactually managing your debt.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Yeah, it's the day-to-day grind.
Speaker 1 (03:04):
Right and a journal.
It gives you that structure youneed to stay consistent.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
The framework.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Yeah, it's like a built-in accountability partner.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
That's a good way to put it.
Speaker 1 (03:13):
Right, because you're literally facing your finances
every time you open that journal.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
You can't hide from it.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
This reminds me of my friend Sarah, actually, oh yeah
, she was trying to save forthis big trip and she had the
best intentions, but every monthshe'd be like where did all my
money go?
The classic Right.
And then she started using anotebook to track every single
expense.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Every little thing.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yeah, even like a coffee or a snack.
Wow, and it was crazy how thosesmall purchases added up.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
It's always the small stuff.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Right, and when she saw it written down in black and
white she was like, oh OK, Iget it now.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
It clicked.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, and that's what a dedicated budgeting journal
does.
Yeah, it takes that basic ideaof tracking everything and turns
it into this whole system.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Right, with features that are designed to help you
succeed.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
OK, so let's talk about the Lestallion Journal
specifically.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
All right, let's dive in.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Because it's more than just blank pages, right?
Oh way more.
They really put thought intothe design.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Yeah, they did their research.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
So first off the paper.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
The paper.
What about it?
Speaker 1 (04:12):
It's this thick, 120 GSM wood-free paper.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Oh wow, that's fancy.
Speaker 1 (04:19):
I know, right, and you might be thinking who cares
about the paper?
Right, but trust me, okay, ifyou like to use different
colored pens to categorize yourspending.
Oh, or if you just want yourjournal to look really nice and
clean.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
This paper is amazing .
Speaker 2 (04:35):
No bleed through.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
No bleed through at all.
It's like a dream to write on.
That's a big deal, and it makesthose colorful charts and
graphs so much more satisfyingto create.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
You know it's funny.
You mentioned the colored pens.
It reminds me of my grandfather.
He was a small business ownerand he always kept these
meticulous records in hisnotebooks.
Like different colored inks forincome and expenses and those
pages were like his lifeline tounderstanding his business.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Yeah, and the quality of the paper meant those
records stayed clear and legiblefor years.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
So you're saying this Lestallion Journal could be
like a historical record of yourfinancial life?
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Exactly.
You're creating an archive.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
I love that idea.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Right.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
And speaking of keeping track of things over
time, this Lestallion Journal.
It has 211 numbered pages 211.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
That's a lot.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Right, so clearly they're not messing around.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Yeah, they're serious about budgeting.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
They want you to use this thing for a long time.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
To really track your progress.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
Over months, even years.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
It's like a long-term commitment to your finances.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Exactly which is what it should be Right.
It's not a quick fix, it's ajourney.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
A marathon, not a sprint.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Okay, so we've got the numbered pages, which is
already a great feature.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Yeah For keeping things organized.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
But then they go a step further and add a table of
contents.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Oh wow, A table of contents in a journal.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
I know right, it's genius.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Yeah, that's actually really useful.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
Because think about it If you want to go back and
review your spending from lastyear.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Or see how much you spent on groceries during the
holidays.
Without a table of contents,you'd be flipping through pages
forever.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Yeah, good luck finding anything.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
But with the table of contents you can instantly find
the exact information you need.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
It's like an index for your financial life.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
Seriously, it's so smart.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
They thought of everything.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Okay, and then the pages themselves.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
The pages.
What about them?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
They're dashed lined.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Dashed lined Okay.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
With a really nice 7.5 millimeter spacing.
So you've got the structure oflines for neat writing.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Right.
Speaker 1 (06:35):
But you also have enough freedom to create your
own trackers and charts.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Oh, that's cool.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
You can even sketch out ideas or write down
motivational quotes.
It's versatile.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
It even sketch out ideas or write down motivational
quotes.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
It's versatile.
It's like a blank canvas foryour financial dreams.
I like that and then on top ofall that no-transcript, there's
more.
They've got these littlepractical features that just
make life easier.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Okay, like what?
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Like back pockets for receipts and reminders.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Oh, that's handy.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Right.
No more crumpled up pieces ofpaper floating around in your
bag.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Yeah, I'm always losing receipts.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Me too it's a nightmare.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
This solves that problem.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
And then the cover.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
The cover.
What about it?
Speaker 1 (07:10):
It's this soft faux leather.
Oh nice, it feels reallyprofessional.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
Yeah, it's like you're taking your finances
seriously.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Right, and it's also super durable, so it can handle
being tossed around in your bag.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Important for a journal that you're carrying
everywhere.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
And then the size.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yeah, is it bulky?
Speaker 1 (07:26):
Not at all.
It's actually really compact,so it's easy to take with you
wherever you go.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
For those on-the-go budgeting moments.
Exactly, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Because, let's be real, we don't always make
financial decisions sitting atour desks.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Not always.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Sometimes it's at the grocery store or out with
friends.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Right in the heat of the moment.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
And having your journal with you means you can
track those expenses right away.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Before you forget.
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Exactly.
Before they become thosemystery purchases at the end of
the month.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
The dreaded mystery purchases.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
So it's like all these little details they add up
to make budgeting less of achore.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
Right Less intimidating.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
And more of a seamless part of your life.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Like it's just something you do.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Exactly, it becomes a habit.
A good habit, and that's thekey right Consistency.
Consistency, because we allknow those common budgeting
pitfalls.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Tell me about it Like overspending?
Yeah, because you just losetrack of where your money's
going.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Oh yeah, been there.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
Or those dreaded late fees because you forgot about a
bill.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Or that feeling of complete financial chaos.
Oh yeah, like you're drowningin numbers and you're just
reacting to everything insteadof being in control.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Exactly, and this is where a structured journal can
really save the day.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
How so.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Well, first off, by having dedicated pages for
monthly expense trackers, you'reforced to actually confront
your spending habits you can'tignore it right, because you're
writing down every purchase andseeing it all laid out and that
could be a real eye-opener ohyeah, makes it real and then
having a bill calendar oh yeah,that's a good one.
It gives you this visualoverview of all your financial
(08:56):
obligations.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
So you don't miss any deadlines.
Speaker 1 (08:58):
Exactly no more late fees.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
And then for debt repayment.
You can create a whole sectionin your journal to outline your
strategies.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
Oh smart.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
You can break down what can feel like this huge,
overwhelming burden.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Yeah, debt can be really scary.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Into manageable steps .
Speaker 2 (09:15):
Right, Like you're taking control.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
And again that act of writing it down.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
It makes a difference .
Speaker 1 (09:20):
It does.
It's like you're making acommitment.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
A promise to yourself .
Speaker 1 (09:23):
To tackle that debt and get on top of your finances.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
And it's not just about the practical side either.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
What do you mean?
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I think writing things down can also impact our
mindset.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
How so.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Well, it's one thing to see a number on a screen.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Like your credit card balance.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
It's another to actually write it down.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Yeah, it feels different.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
It does.
It's like it becomes more real,more tangible, and that can
create a stronger sense ofmotivation to change things.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
To take action.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
So it's about creating that clarity and
control.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, taking ownership of your finances.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
And a journal like the Listallion, with its
durability and well thought outlayout.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
He really supports that.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
It becomes this reliable tool that you can use
to build good financial habits.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
And stick with them.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
Over the long term.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Because that's what it's all about, right, right.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
It's not about a quick fix.
It's about creating asustainable system that works
for you and helps you reach yourgoals.
And creating a sustainablesystem that works for you and
helps you reach your goals, anda journal can be a big part of
that.
So for our listeners out therewho are thinking, ok, this
sounds great.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Right.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
But how do I actually use a budgeting journal
effectively?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Yeah, let's get practical.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Let's break it down into steps, ok, and keep in mind
those helpful features we'vebeen talking about.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
With the Listallion journal.
Speaker 1 (10:31):
Exactly yeah, Because those features they're not just
random.
They're there for a reasonthey're designed to make this
whole process easier and moreeffective.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
So step one, what is it?
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Step one is to set clear financial goals, and this
is where you want to be asspecific as possible.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Right, Not just like.
I want to save more money.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Yeah, that's too vague.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Yeah, you need a target.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
Exactly so.
Instead of just save more money, You'd say something like I
want to save $5,000 for a downpayment on a house being next
December.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Okay, there you go.
Speaker 1 (11:01):
That's a clear goal.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
It's measurable, it's time bound.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
And it gives you something concrete to work
towards.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
And to track your progress against.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
And when you write it down in your journal.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
It becomes even more real.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
It does.
It's like you're putting it outinto the universe.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
Manifesting your financial dreams.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Okay, step two.
What's next?
Track your income and expenses.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
The bread and butter of budgeting.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
Right, and this is where those dedicated pages in
the Listallion Journal come inhandy.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
You've got space for everything.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
You can create separate sections for each month
and use columns or differentcolored pens To categorize your
spending.
Yeah, like needs versus wants,Fixed expenses versus variable
expenses.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
And that thick paper.
Speaker 1 (11:42):
Oh yeah, that glorious paper.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
It can handle all the highlighting and color coding
you can throw at it.
It's a budgeting dream cometrue.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
Okay, and what does all this tracking actually do
for you?
Speaker 2 (11:53):
It gives you this incredible awareness of where
your money's actually going.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Yeah, because a lot of times we're clueless.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
We are, we just kind of spend mindlessly?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Until we look at our bank statement and we're like,
oh, Exactly, and then it's toolate.
But when you're trackingeverything in real time.
Speaker 2 (12:09):
It's like you're shining a light on your spending
habits.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
You're becoming more mindful.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
And you can start to identify those areas where you
might be overspending.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
The leaks in the budget.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Exactly and make adjustments before it's too late
.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Okay, so step three.
What's next, let's talk aboutmonthly trackers.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Oh yeah, these are awesome.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
I love a good monthly tracker.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
The Listallion Journal.
It has this calendar stylelayout that's perfect for noting
down when your bills are due.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
So you can see everything at a glance.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Exactly no more missed payment.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
And no more late fees , and you can also use this
space to summarize your totalincome and expenses at the end
of each month.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Okay, so you get a big picture view.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Yeah, like a financial snapshot.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Of how you did that month.
Speaker 1 (12:50):
Okay, and this is where it gets fun.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Fun.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Step four.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Okay, I'm intrigued.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Incorporate savings challenges and visual trackers.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
Oh, I love this.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Me too, it's like the creative part of budgeting.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Yeah, because who says budgeting has to be boring?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Exactly so you can create a bar graph to track your
savings progress.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
And color it in as you go.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, or come up with a visual representation of a
specific goal.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Like what.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
I knew someone who was up with a visual
representation of a specificgoal, like what I knew someone
who was saving for a downpayment on a house and she drew
a picture of her dream house.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
Oh, that's cute.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
And then for every $500 she saved.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
She'd color in a section of the roof.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Exactly, it was so motivating for her.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Yeah, I can see that.
Speaker 1 (13:31):
And again with that listallion paper.
Yeah, it makes, and again withthat listallion paper.
It makes these creative touchesso much more enjoyable.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
It's like you're turning your journal into a work
of art.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Exactly A financial masterpiece.
I love that.
All right and last but notleast, step five.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
The final step.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
Review your progress regularly.
Okay, this is important, thisis crucial, because it's not
just about writing things down.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
It's about learning from it.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Exactly so, at the end of each week, or at least at
the end of each month.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Sit down with your journal.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
And really look back at your spending.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Your savings.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Your progress towards your goals.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Did you stick to your budget?
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Were there any surprises?
Speaker 2 (14:08):
What adjustments do you need to make?
Speaker 1 (14:10):
And this is where those numbered pages and the
table of contents become superhelpful.
They allow you to easilyrevisit previous periods and
spot trends in your behavior.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Like maybe you always overspend on eating out in
December.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Or maybe you consistently underestimate your
grocery budget.
Right, and once you see thosepatterns, you can start to make
more informed decisions.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And break those bad habits.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So it's like a constant cycle of tracking.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
Analyzing.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
To optimize your finances.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
And don't be afraid to personalize your journal.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Oh yeah, make it your own.
The source material mentionsusing stickers or washi tape.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
To highlight important things.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Or A source material mentions using stickers or washi
tape To highlight importantthings or add motivational
quotes and affirmations To keepyou inspired.
And with that amazing paperfrom the Listallion Journal.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Even something as simple as writing down a few
things you're grateful for eachday.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
That can become a really nice ritual.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
It's like you're infusing your journal with
positive energy.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
And that can make a big difference in how you
approach your finances.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
So it's not just about numbers.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
It's about mindset too.
Speaker 1 (15:10):
It's about creating this whole positive financial
ecosystem.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
In your journal.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
And the benefits of this kind of intentional
budgeting.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
They go way beyond just managing your money.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
They do, you start to develop this deeper financial
literacy.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
It's like you're leveling up your financial
skills.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Yeah, you're not just reacting to things anymore.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
You're becoming more proactive.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
You're making conscious choices about your
spending.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
You're understanding your priorities.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
And you're building self-discipline.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Which is a valuable skill in all areas of life.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Right, not just with money.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
And it's amazing how just the act of tracking your
spending.
Can naturally lead toeliminating those wasteful
habits, you start to see wherethe money's going and you're
like, oh, I don't actually needthat.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Exactly and writing down your goals.
It creates this sense ofaccountability that you just
don't get from thinking aboutthem.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
It's like you're making a promise to yourself.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
And the regular practice of journaling.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
It encourages mindfulness.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Yeah, you're being more present with your financial
decisions.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Not just mindlessly swiping your credit card.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
And a journal like the Listallion.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
With its durable cover and portable size.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
It's the perfect companion for this journey.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
It's like your financial sidekick.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Always there to keep you on track.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
So imagine this You've been using your budgeting
journal consistently.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
For a few months.
Speaker 1 (16:27):
And you sit down to review your progress.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
You open up your journal.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
And you see tangible evidence of everything you've
accomplished.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
It's all right there in black and white.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
You've reached your savings goal.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
You've paid down your debt.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
You feel this incredible sense of financial
security.
Yeah and independence and thatfeeling.
It's priceless.
It is Security, yeah, andindependence and that feeling
it's priceless, it is, it'sempowering.
And it all started with asimple journal.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Who knew a notebook could be so powerful?
Speaker 1 (16:50):
Right, and the rewards of this kind of
consistent budgeting?
They're huge, they are.
You boost your financialconfidence.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
You reduce your stress.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
You open up possibilities for the future,
whether that's investing.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Or just having more freedom and flexibility in your
life.
And with the Listallion Journalyou've got all the space you
need to track your progress andplan for the long term.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Those 211 pages they're not just for show.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
They're there to support you every step of the
way.
So to wrap things up, the bigtakeaway a dedicated journal
especially one designed withintention, like the Listallion.
Speaker 1 (17:27):
It can be a game changer for your finances.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
It's about creating this structured, tangible record
of your financial life.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
That helps you become more aware.
Speaker 2 (17:36):
More accountable.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
And ultimately, more in control.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
You're not just managing your money.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
You're mastering it.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
You're taking charge of your financial future.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
And that's a powerful feeling.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
It is.
Speaker 1 (17:47):
So here's a thought for you to ponder.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
I'm listening.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
How might intentionally documenting your
financial journey in a tangibleway-.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Hint to paper.
Speaker 1 (17:58):
Reshape your relationship with money.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
And those future goals.
Speaker 1 (18:02):
What small step could you take today?
Speaker 2 (18:04):
To begin that process .
Speaker 1 (18:05):
That's your homework.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Food for thought.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
Thanks for diving deep with us.
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