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.
2,179 thoughts on “Welcome to Budget Bootcamp”
I plan to check in to track daily at lunchtime. I look forward to finding discipline and building my confidence about planning and sticking to a budget
Will do this early in the morning when my mind is fresh and before the phone calls start.
Looking forward to learning smart budgeting and developing discipline.
I plan to do the assignments right after dinner before I do anything creative in my studio.
I plan on working on the assignments in the evening when I get off work! I’m really excited about this course because I’ve struggled with creating a budget, never known where to start. I’m wanting to be more disciplined and know exactly where my money is going!
I agree..I plan on doing my assignment in between my first and second shifts..early evening
I have the opportunity to work on this in the morning before going to work as I don’t start work until 9:30. I am very desperate to get on a budget for I have not had to worry until recently about money but since September have had to take a significant pay cut.
I plan to do this work in the evenings throughout the week. I want to build a savings for retirement and stop spending frivolously on things I don’t need. Want to take charge and be accountable for my spending
I plan to do the assignments first thing in the morning. Yah!!
I plan to do the assignments mid afternoon when I have about 1 hour of free time.
I have struggled with budgeting for years. I’m really determined to nail it this year and this is the first step. Really excited to track my progress!
I’m someone who has struggled with compulsive spending and who has trouble with little purchases. Perfect illustration of being killed by a thousand little cuts. I’m excited about this course to get the tools and strategies to help reign in my spending, stop compulsive spending, and get a complete hold over my fiancés. I will be taking this course in the mornings over coffee, before I go to work each morning
I am excited about this course.
I am excited for the opportunity to work my budget. I will reexamine my budget in the evenings after dinner. It’s quiet and I can wrap my mind around the decisions that need to be made.
I will be working on this in the evening. I’m excited to get a fresh start with my finances for the new year! I’m eager to learn about budgeting in a way I can understand and stick too.
I plan to do my assignments first thing in the morning while I eat breakfast and the house is asleep. I will be doing mine daily, as I work better at a habit if I do it everyday.
Eager to get started
Will do assignments at night during my down time. I’m excited to start saving money and building a cushion
I plan do the assignments daily in the morning before I start my day. I already know how to budget but need to make some changes and look forward to budgeting better and with long term goals in mind.
I will put this on my daily list, after dinner has been completed and the house is quiet.
After the kids go to bed.
I plan to do it first thing in the morning.
I’ll do this first thing in the morning. Can’t wait to start
It will vary based on the day. I will check-in for the mornings at my desk as part of my morning routine. M/W/F, if the assignment is longer than 10 minutes, I will continue and complete as I wait for the kids during BJJ.
My husband and I have made a commitment to have a weekly finance/budget meeting on Wednesdays. This means I will read over the emails in the morning and my husband will read over them in the afternoon and we will meet in the evening to go over assignments and finances.
First I want to say thanks for the opportunity to learn how to plan my money. I am about the process of budgets. I am eager to see how using a budget will affect my overall financial picture at the end of the year.
Thanks Again,
I have six kids so Emily and I will have to tackle this in fits and starts. We usually talk at lunch or at bedtime after we put the kids down.
First budgeting class at 35, tough pill to swallow! Financial Savvyness is my 2023 resolution to myself! I will take time
Before bed every evening to learn and budget daily. Im excited to get started!
I plan on doing the assignments in the evening after dinner and i will be working in my office space. I am excited to start trying to get budget under control
I am checking and tracking my budget daily at lunch. I’m excited for this new year’s budget to learn better way of budgeting. I have tried in past and always seems to be adjusting
I will prioritise this for Friday night and Saturday.
I’m excited! With courses at 10ish minutes each, I can easily use a quick break in my work day when I need a ‘mental reset’ to focus on me and sharpen my budgeting skills.
I plan to work on assignments first thing each morning. This will also be the time each day I check my budget to plan the day. Looking forward to saving money and cutting unnecessary spending.
I will tackle this right before I start work in the morning.
I plan to do it on my lunch or after dinner. I want to finally find a budget that will work for my family.
I plan to do this assignment after I put my kids to bed.
Excited to use technology to help with daily spending and making sure I have enough money to pay my bills. Will do budget during lunch break. Thks
First thing in the morning works best for me. Before I am exposed to any spending that day.
I plan to do this at night as part of my nightly routine to wind down before bed and take what I’ve learned to help me navigate the app better I’ve already seemed to have messed it up and put too much money in and can’t figure out how to take out the money I don’t have yet from my “budget” so learning how to use this app along side this course is a pretty important task for me
I would do it after I drop the kids off at school. I’ll have more time to do them.
I plan to work on the assignments in the evenings after work before I play video games.
We are going to do one class per evening before our daughter gets tucked in to bed. 6:45pm ish, on the couch.
My husband said to me, ” to make you happy.” . I want to be a better steward of our money, improve our communication together with money and life things in general and realize dreams rather than wondering about where our money is going and/or getting upset over what eachother spends on. I’m excited that Goodbudget is here to help!
I’m looking for a fresh start/new perspective. I plan to do the this during lunch time. Looking forward to it.
I plan on doing assignments after dinner. I’ve made a budget before; however, things got crazy and I got away from it. I need to get back on track and simplify things again.
I plan on doing this course in the mornings. Looking forward to learning a good way to budget.
To once and for all have a budget that works. New beginnings and saving for retirement. Not having to worry about money. Knowing how to keep track of our finances. 🙂
Planning to check in early in the morning before my kids are up and when I catch up on work for the day.
I plan on performing assignments after dinner, and dividing them throughout the week!
I plan to do 2-3 days of assignments every other day as soon as I get off work and go to my work assigned hotel after unpacking while eating my dinner.
I plan on doing my assignments in the morning! Before I do anything I enjoy. I’m looking forward to sticking with a budget and saving.
Thanks for this course and the perfectly bite-sized, relevant homework. I plan to review the course at the end of the work day with nighttime backup after baby is asleep. I want to curb wasteful costs so we can be more proactive for a better home and savings for baby.