Why Budgeting Didn’t Work (Even When You Tried Really Hard)

Have you ever done a google search for “budgeting template?” There are countless of them out there! Or maybe you just set up your own spreadsheet or tried a budgeting app. You got your monthly amounts down pat, you were proud of yourself for making the plan, and had every intention of sticking to it. And maybe the first month it went well.

Then what happened? You had a car repair, you had to pay your annual pool dues, you had to buy your kiddo sports equipment. And then you had out of town guests and spent more on groceries and went out to eat. Shoot! It wasn’t in the plan! 

So you have enough months like that, and what do you do? You throw the budget out! You figure you can’t stick to it, so why bother? You may even tell yourself you’re no good with money, or if you’re a couple, you may have fought about whose fault it was. Maybe you try to get really restrictive or have a “no spend month.” But we all know that’s not lasting. 

I’ve been there (read all the details here!), and I’ve been coaching for long enough to tell you that it’s not you that’s the problem. It’s not your lack of discipline or that you’re bad with money. You simply don’t have a system that fits your current lifestyle. 

If I were to try to wear toddler clothes and they didn’t fit, would that mean there is a problem with my body? No, it would mean I need clothes that fit a grown woman. Same with your money. If you try to fit into a system that isn’t made for you, it just won’t work, you end up feeling frustrated and discouraged. Your money plan needs to fit your life today.

As a money coach, I work with you to build simple money systems that work for your life as it is now. I don’t try to force you into a rigid system that isn’t sustainable for you and your family.

Just because budgeting hasn’t worked in the past doesn’t mean it won’t ever work. It just means you haven’t learned a system that works for you yet!