Whaddup, DIY Money?! If you have made it this far in the blogs, you are already familiar that for the start of 2026, we are going “Back to the Basics”. The inspiration for this was to be able to reach YOU- wherever you lie on the DIY Money steps. To encourage you. Because no matter where we fall on the steps, we can all learn something from simplifying our finances from time to time.
I talked about this on the podcast today, but let me make sure you caught it. Most people hear the word budget and want to THROW. UP. To most, “Budgeting” means restriction, forced accountability and mundane tracking. But let’s not confuse “Budgeting” with “Tracking”.
Tracking is what got us from our first Basics episode to our “Beta Budget”- our habits of spending. And hear me when I say- me too! I HATE tracking. Keeping track of every dollar, nay – every penny that I spend is painful (yes, even to an accountant by heart).
But Budgeting? That is the real fun. Your chance to tell you dollars what to do, rather than letting them dictate what you do. To craft a way to allocate your paycheck in a way that encompasses your values. It takes time and intentionality, but it is one of the most freeing things you can do.
So now what we have our starting point, let’s start to add in the complexity that many do not think of:
- An accrual or “escrow”- what are those painful annual or semi-annual expenses that are painful when they come? Property taxes, insurance bills, vacations, Christmas (too soon?), car maintenance, medical, birthdays (I am looking at YOU, every person in my life who was born in February!). Start to turn those into a monthly amount and set it aside. Believe me, those expenses will come whether you plan for them or not.
- Savings for goals- This is where we need to do some reflection and math. How much do you need to set aside to pay cash for that next car goal? To be able to cash flow tuition? To take that dream vacation in 2 years (Banff, anyone?!) Account for these monthly as well.
- Your values – This is where you get to get creative. Like hosting a group of people monthly? Put in a “Hospitality” line? Always need the new skin care product or those new Hokas (I am looking at you, Q)? Build them in! Don’t let the online “rule of thumb” budgets tell you how to spend your money. Because no two budgets will be the same. And that is the beauty of it.
Finally, I will add something really exciting (and if you did not read that with sarcasm, please go back and do so) – you will never be done. But that is the best part, because as you change and grow as a person, your budget should grow and change with you. But guess what? I bet you will start to see yourself hit those “goals” a lot quicker and find yourself more accountable to the “values” that you build in that make you who you are.
Remember, the secret to wealth is simple: Live on Less than you make. Invest the Rest. And do so for a very long time.
Make it a great one.
-A Howard
