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.
2,205 thoughts on “Welcome to Budget Bootcamp”
I will do the assignments immediately following dinner.
In the evening after dinner
I will complete assignments immediately following dinner.
I will do my assignment nightly at 10 am
I’ll be on my smartphone on my commute. Excited to be learning some basics and begin to add some structure / see where I might have been going wrong.
Early morning in the quiet
Early morning….I need to get back on track with spending/saving.
I normally work on my finances on Friday evenings because it is my payday.
I work the statements and accounts on Saturday mornings.
Going to start with early in the morning upon awaking about 7:00 am. Hopeful this structured plan will enable me to stick with budgeting. Want to bite small pieces at a time. However, there may be times when I will want to take a bigger bite.
I will do my assignments late at night cuz I’m a night owl. Probably on the couch. I’m excited to be building my savings back up!!
I’ll do home work after dinner and I’m ready to start a new me, I only have been planning savings to purchase a house but, I can never save the $, I always find the way to spend every penny, with the family and of course, basics.
early morning 6am
First thing in the morning on a daily basis
During morning nap time
I will do it at 8:30 pm after wk
I will be completing my assignments on the day of receipt when my son is having his afternoon nap. I’m excited to finally conquer the art of budgeting.
I will be doing it after the kids go to bed
Planning on starting early in the morning
Will do assignments in bedroom at 8 pm daily
In the morning during school holiday, then when I arrive home from work when school begins again. I am excited about feeling in control of my money, rather than the other way around. Our goals are to pay off debt and she for a new house.
I will be doing my budget at dinner time.
Thanks for sharing!
An early riser so morning works for me
I will complete the course over tea in the morning! I will spend up to 10 minutes per day on the assignments, taking as many days as needed to complete each assignment. Looking forward to making a budget that works!
9am in my kitchen
I will work on my assignments on Wednesdays when I get paid, in the evening
The best time will be at the end of the work day for me
I will work on this during the lunch hour. I want to pay off debt in the most efficient manner. Is there a way to do this course in less than 30 days?
Hi Kristy — You can progress through it as quickly as you like! It’s just that some changes are ones that will take time for you and your budget to get used to, so we’ve spaced them out. But feel free to make your way through as quickly as it makes sense for you!
All in one day at the kitchen table.
At lunch
First thing in the morning
On Sundays at the Dining Room table. I’m excited to start the new year with a plan and learn more.
In the evenings while watching TV, one lesson per day.
Ima plan on doing these assignments everyday at night.
I will mine every day after dinner
I’ll do it in the mornings before work.
I will be doing this on my morning train commute.
I will work on this every evening after dinner.
Looking forward to learning more about budgeting and making the right choices for me and my family
10 AM as a work break!
I will do assignments after dinner.
I am excite to start this short course and to gain more knowledge
I will do my assignment at night looking forward to these exercises
I will do my assignments at 2pm for a work break! Im excited to gain some basic knowledge in budgeting and get things in order!
i be will do assignments in the mornings. looking forward to making a budget that i can follow
I plan to work in the morning during my focus time
I look forward to doing assignments in the evening and a better chance at financial freedom
I will do my assignments every evening after dinner
I will complete my assignments early morning with coffee after my husband goes to work.
Will do mine after lunch!
I will do my assignments when I am already at my desk doing homework, and add them to my planner for the week. I am excited to work on my budgeting skills as I prepare to graduate college and be more entirely responsible for my finances!
After dinner.
I will do the assignments daily around 8:30 to 9:30 before going to bed. I’m looking forward to learning new ways to actually stay in budget – I’ve created them before – it’s finding the tools to stay on track that I struggle with!
I will make my time first thing when I have my coffee. I looking forward to stop spending unnecessarily.