A (Not Intimidating, I Promise!) Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Personal Budget

Budgeting money isn't the most ~seductive~ topic, but according to financial experts, it shouldn't be. "Money is not supposed to be sexy," says Mary Beth Storjohann, an author, speaker, financial coach, and the founder of Workable Wealth. "Your money is supposed to be one of the most boring things in your life. And that is the way that you want it. Because if it's not, it's either stressing you out, or you're taking too much risk with it. Money is supposed to give you a sense of independence and freedom."

If you can get on board with that mentality, then you're ready to start building a personal budget. Congrats! This is the first step to ensuring your longterm financial health. And listen, I get it, this stuff is hard. Budgeting your money means having to make tough, sometimes FOMO-inducing decisions. But this step-by-step guide is designed to make the whole process easy for you, as it includes several different approaches so you can find the right fit, from using a cash-based system to budgeting apps and more. As long as you set achievable goals, pay attention to your expenses, and remember to take a deep breath every so often, you'll be golden. Let's do this thing!