Welcome to Goodbudget 101: Budget Bootcamp! We’re so excited for you to start this new budgeting journey — one where you’ll create a budget that works for you. And along the way you’ll build habits and learn techniques that will help you live out your budget for the rest of your life.
Now, we’re all starting from different places financially, but we’re all working towards the same goal… making a budget that works. We believe you can make and *keep* a budget. This budget will be your guide to help you spend on what’s important, save for big expenses, and give generously.
Over the next 29 days you’ll receive bite-sized assignments that are practical, reflective and relational and they’re all designed to help you create your new budget utilizing the envelope budgeting method (if you don’t know what that is, learn about it on our website and on YouTube). You can expect to spend about 5 to 10 minutes doing most of the assignments. Every so often there’ll be a longer assignment that will take about 30 minutes. Let’s get started.
Today’s Assignment
- Make a plan for when and where you’d like to do these assignments. Will you spend time working on them at the kitchen table after the kids are in bed, or early in the morning over coffee before everyone gets up? Will you do the assignments for the week all in one day, or divvy them up throughout the week? Deciding this ahead of time will give you a better shot at completing these assignments.
- Comment below and let us know when and where you’re planning to do your homework. Plus, share what you’re excited about learning in this course — and why.
Note for couples: If you share money with someone else, like your spouse, invite them to take this course with you. By working together, you’ll be able to build a solid budget that actually works — for both of you.
That’s it for today! We look forward to seeing you in the next assignment.
Happy budgeting,
-The Goodbudget Team
P.S. If you’re struggling to get ahead because you’re living paycheck to paycheck, GB 30: Break the Cycle might be a good starting place for you. In that course, you’ll spend 30 days working to boost savings and begin building a one-month cushion so you can break the cycle for good.
P.P.S. Or, if you’re currently experiencing a financial emergency, either from taking a pay cut, receiving a large medical bill, or something else, GB 911: Crash Course might be a better fit. There, you’ll learn how to make quick changes to your budget so that you can survive in the short term, adapt to your financial situation, and thrive down the road.
2,333 thoughts on “Welcome to Budget Bootcamp”
After dinner when hubby is home, before watching any television
Every evening after dinner
In the morning, after I complete dulingo. In the living room.
I plan on doing it in my office during the day while the kids are at school.
At night, on the elliptical
Every night before bed.
I intend to work on the assignments during my lunch break; I have a good time and good energy then. I am excited to learn the practicality of budget and especially envelope budgeting.
Mornings with a cup of tea
Me, too.
I plan on working on my budget either before I go to work or after I get off work, depending on the shift I work. I’m excited to learn how to control my money and to stop letting it control me
On my lunch break at work!
In the evening after dinner before watching TV and once a week
During breaks at work!
I am excited to learn the basics of budgeting and useful tips that can help me save money and spend wiser.
At my kitchen computer, right after I get home from dropping the kids off at school. Looking forward to building the discipline of tracking my expenses so I’m not caught off guard when the bills arrive.
I will work on this in the morning before I start my work day. That is when I am the freshest.
Used YNAB for a few years but there were glitches, although it was and is a good program. Ready for something new and love the idea of working with others.
I will be working on these assignments during my down time at work.
In the evening when everyone goes to bed
During lunch break
I will work on this at night after the kids are in bed. I am excited to learn about utilising our money more wisely and have a good saving habit rather than living week to week.
I’ll work on it in the evening after dinner, at my kitchen table.
I have a virtual learner in 1st, a 3 yr old, and 3 month old nursing and won’t take a bottle…. so my hope is to budget at night after kids go to bed and I nurse the baby. Usually watch tv with hubby anyway this will let him get his fix on Star Trek more! Haha
I’ll work on this at night after my client is in bed at work when I have down time.
I will work on this at night after my clients in bed when I have down time.
I’m not really excited—more that I am hopeful to get clarity about our spending, and to figure out how to stay within our budget. We have so many expenses—we have four children—that sometimes it feels impossible not to overspend, but we have to live on what we earn. I want to figure out how to make that smoother, so we don’t have little financial crises where we’re suddenly short but still need to pay a bill, or buy groceries.
Just would like to get a whole of my finances.
I’m very excited to see where this journey takes me. I plan to work after everyone is in bed.
I definitely plan on completely these courses day by day either while I’m at work or after I get off while relaxing drinking a glass of wine
At night with hubby after kids go to sleep
I will work on it in the morning before doing anything else.
I’m looking forward to saving money to put towards a photo shoot. I’ll be doing this every day at lunch.
At work on a break
I’ll be working on my assignments after work and excited to learn how not to live check to check cause I make enough to do it.
Excited to see the difference after these courses
After dinner in the living room, before school work and bed. We’re excited to finally be on the same financial page! We are also excited to have a budget, be on top of things, know what we have, and to get out of our debt-canyon!
My intentions is to do this in the mornings before my family wakes up after I go to the gym which is around 5 am every morning.
I will work on mine in the afternoon after 3pm when remote learning is complete.
I will be attending to it before going to sleep every evening
I will be doing it before going to sleep every evening
Lo haré antes de irme a dormir todas las noches.
Excited to start this course, I will be working on it in the mornings before everyone wakes up!
In the evening after kids go to bed.
In the evening after work and dinner but before bed. I’ll do them one a day.
Tuesday and Thursday’s when I work from home. Either before I start work or just after I finish and am already at my desk.
After work, cooked dinner, and walk my dog.
During my lunch break at work. No kids, no laundry, no dishes to clean….
In the morning with breakfast
I will be planning to do my homework after school while laying in bed. I am very excited to learn how to budget my money because this will help my financially.
I will do this after school in my room
I plan on doing my homework in my bedroom and my desk, because then I am away from the noise and commotion and I can concentrate. I am excited to finish this as soon as possible.
I plan on doing my homework in the morning and at the kitchen table
I am going to do my homework in my room on my bed and do it all in one day.
I am planning to do these assignments in my room at the computer. I will aim to do them after coming home from school and eating lunch. I am excited to learn how to handle my money in a way that will make my life much easier so that I can avoid unnecessary stress.