Look back: Dollar Tracker
A reality check. Write down where your money actually went, with no judging. Just notice.
Use it for: Mile Marker #5, Question 1
10 Essential Skills in this module
3Quantitative Reasoning
6Professionalism
Trail Tool
Budget Builder
Look ahead: give every dollar a job.
A zero-based budget gives every dollar coming in this month a job, until there are zero dollars left without one.
Saving, paying down debt, and fun are all jobs. The point is to decide on purpose, before the money is gone, instead of wondering at the end of the month where it went.
Your numbers stay with you
What you type is saved only in this browser, on this device. It isn't sent anywhere. Rounded or practice numbers work just as well as exact ones.
Look back at
Lesson 5.3: Give every dollar a job has a worked example.
Look ahead: Budget Builder
A plan. Give every dollar coming in this month a job, until nothing is left unassigned.
Use it for: Mile Marker #5, Question 4
You are here
Build your budget for one month
Enter the money coming in, then assign it to categories until Left to assign reaches $0. Rename any category so it fits your life. Select Save as PDF to keep a copy.
Pathfinder Tip
If your income changes month to month, plan on the lowest amount you can count on. If more comes in, give the extra a job then.