I used to think zero-based budgeting was overkill until I actually tried it

For years I thought zero-based budgeting was just for accountants or people with way too much time on their hands. My crew and I do painting work in Portland, and I always just did the usual 'set aside some money for bills and hope the rest works out' method. Then last fall I had a slow month where we only did two small jobs, and I realized I had no real idea where my money was going. A buddy of mine who runs his own roofing company told me he assigns every single dollar a job before the month starts. I figured I'd try it for one month, and honestly it was annoying at first but it showed me I was leaking $120 a month on random coffee runs and convenience store snacks. Now I do it every month and I've got a solid emergency fund for the first time in years. Has anyone else had that moment where a budgeting method clicked for you after you resisted it?

2 comments

2 Comments

hayes.elliot25d ago

Started dragging my feet for years on zero-based budgeting myself (like, genuinely thought it was some kind of corporate nightmare). Finally gave it a shot last January after a rough holiday season where my credit card statement actually made me wince. First month was a pain in the ass tracking every single coffee and snack, but by month three I'd trimmed almost $200 in pure garbage spending without even feeling like I was missing out. Now I swear by it for the freedom it gives me, not the restriction (which is weird to admit, but true). Honestly, the biggest shock was how much I was bleeding on small stuff I didn't even remember buying.

elliotw3724d ago

$200 a month just on coffee and snacks you didn't even remember buying?