Life after college isn’t what you pictured.
Instead of buying your first home, you’re struggling with paying off a mountain of student loans.
Instead of starting a college fund for your kids, you’re wondering whether you can afford to fix your car when it needs repairs.
You were told that if you worked hard in school and followed your passion, your career path would lead you to financial security.
But things aren’t the same today as they were for your parents or grandparents – we’re living in a completely different economic climate.
Today, many of us are struggling with making ends meet and handling our finances without falling into debt.
- Do you dream about paying off your debt and living a simpler life?
- Is your goal to bring in more money so you can take care of your family financially?
- Do you wish you had a savings cushion so you don’t need to stress about car or home repairs, or constantly check your bank account balance to make sure it’s not overdrawn?
It’s possible to achieve all of those things, even on a limited income – IF you have a budget that works for you.
But budgeting is personal – there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
If you’ve created a budget before and had trouble making it realistic or sticking to your budget, don’t give up!
It IS possible to take back your budget and make it work for you. I’m living proof that even those who are underemployed and struggling to live paycheck to paycheck can set budgets and save a little bit of money.
Learn to Create a Customized Budget That Works for You
My free e-book, How to Create a Successful Budget, will walk you through a step-by-step process for setting goals, analyzing your finances, creating a customized budget, and motivating yourself to stick with it.
The book is divided into five chapters:
- Why Budget?
- Creating a Budget
- Budgeting for Emergencies
- Identifying Habits of Successful Budgeters
- Bringing in Extra Money
Worksheets and homework assignments in every chapter will help you work through the process of creating a budget customized to your financial situation and lifestyle.
When you download the book, you’ll also get my free email newsletter that’s full of practical tips and advice on things like:
- Navigating personal finance
- Paying off and avoiding debt
- Building your savings (even when you’re on a low income!)
- Investing for the future
- How to progress in your career
Who Am I?
I’m Melissa, the Sunburnt Saver – thanks for visiting!
As a reformed “horrible budgeter,” I now work full time in the budget section of my organization, where I learned to apply those principles of smart budgeting to my own life.
When I was younger, I was terrible with my budget. I’d make a budget, then ignore it and spend all my money on things I didn’t really need. It was irresponsible and detrimental to my future and my desire to get a better job.
Now, through experience, I’m much better with my budget. I stick to the budgets I make and follow them carefully. I went from having a negative savings rate (spending more every month than I earned!) to having a positive savings rate that is regularly $300 or more a month!
I don’t have a huge salary to make this happen. I work a very modest job, but I’ve learned the best ways to manage money, plug holes, and generate extra income.
I’m now able to:
- Take jobs because I want to, not because I need the money
- Take modest vacations regularly
- Enjoy life a little more without being afraid of checking my bank statements!
Ready to Pay Down Your Debt & Start Saving?
I won’t lie: budgeting isn’t easy.
Depending on your income and fixed expenses, you may struggle and make mistakes on your budget journey.
That’s okay, and it happens to everyone. You just have to stick to it and make it a priority, and I promise you’ll be much happier for it!
How to Create a Successful Budget will not only give you the tools you need to create your own budget, but also the motivation to stick with it.
To download the book, enter your name and email address here: