What sets the bullet journal apart from other lookalikes is its completely customizable.
Each page has tiny bullets to use as a guide to track whatever you want.
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A bullet journal can be used to track monthly expenses. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder
Enough small talk.Here are some waysto earn extra cash, without all of the social stuff.
And you dont have to be creative to get started.
Did you know?
Do you’re gonna wanna be better about sticking to a budget?
Do you oughta pay off debt?
Do you have some big savings goals?
Theres a bullet journal spread (official lingo) for that.
Alicia Geigel teaches bullet journaling workshops atWhim So Doodlein St. Petersburg, Florida.
She typically shares layout ideas to get people comfortable with tracking their lives both personally and professionally on paper.
Now shes finding people are interested in using the bullet journals for their personal finances.
She recently used her journal to save $2,500 for a trip to Italy.
If youre feeling overwhelmed or a bit stumped, we have some ideas to get you started.
One option is making a monthly budget spread in bars.
At the end of the month, add up your total spending compared to your total budget.
To create a little internal competition (because who doesnt like wins?
Every time you spend money, deduct it from your balance.
This method will hold you accountable and help prevent unwelcome surprises when you look at your bank account.
Bill Tracker
This spread is perfect for the forgetful person.
If youre constantly writing down reminders to yourself (think: All.
), a bill tracker should be a must in your BuJo financial strategy.
Put your monthly bills in one spread, and your quarterly and annual bills together in a separate tracker.
), you may decide not to use a spending tracker every month.
It can be quite an eye-opening experience.
Savings Tracker
This one is the most exciting of the financial trackers (in our opinion, anyway).
One idea for a savings tracker: Give each goal its own horizontal or vertical bar.
Need a little more visual enticement?
Determine an object that motivates you to save money.
Is it a jar?
Design a savings goal you’re able to track visually.
Each time you put money in your savings account, shade in a portion of the object.
Its quite satisfying to complete the picture as you reach your goal.
Debt Payoff Tracker
OK, so this ones pretty fun, too.
Who doesnt get a little thrill every time you go above and beyond your usual debt payments?
If youre managing multiple debts, consider drawing a line graph to chart your debt payoff.
Seeing the line go down can give you an extra push to pay it off faster.
But dont stop at the traditional budgets.
Check out how these three womensbullet journal budget ideashelped them reach their money goals.
Try a no-spend challenge by creating a calendar.
Check off the days you didnt spend money.
Or use a habit tracker to better gauge how your routines affect your finances.
Lets say you want to pay bills on time.
Acknowledge when you do it by filling in a box.
The more boxes you see, the more it encourages the habit.
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to use a bullet journal.
Figure out what works best for you.
Before you know it, youll see how much fun managing your money can be.
Grace Schweizer is a staff writer and Christie Post is a former supervising producer at The Penny Hoarder.
Staff writer/editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors contributed to this story.
It sounds appealing right?
Check it out here!
