+52 votes
by (250 points)
Does anyone else find it extremely difficult to do this budget thing without Miko's workbook? I'm trying to be a brand new budgeter, but I can't get the workbook. I also need to see things in writing, so an excel sheet will not work for me.  
Does anyone else find it extremely difficult to do this budget thing without Miko's workbook?

39 Answers

+62 votes
by (1.4k points)
 
Best answer
Oh sweet Jesus! "Excel" is like a curse word in our home to me!  I was JUST talking to my hubs about this today. For me, numbers have always been difficult. My brain just can't  I have tried to budget for years, I've tried everything and would always end up confused, frustrated and failing. When I found TBM in January, I joined this wonderful group and watched Miko's videos. It suddenly clicked. Over the past month I printed up paycheck trackers for us to use that will work for us and our income. I am so thankful but the KEY is to make it your own. Make your budget system work for you, not against you  
by (1.4k points)
I printed out her free worksheets from the website and then ended up making a few of my own charts using word. I posted all my stuff the other day in the group if you'd like to look it up  I need to SEE it too that's the only way I can do this successfully!  
+52 votes
by (820 points)
I started out with a notebook and I made my own templates on the pages that looked exactly like the book until I was able to purchase the book.  
+73 votes
by (1.7k points)
I think I'm going to have to buy the digital. I'm trying to use what I had, but I'm getting pretty frustrated
by (1.7k points)
@fervent I saw your photo. It's awesome looking, but I have never kept up with my own forms like that. I have a planner with almost all of tbm features, but not enough space, or even anything similar to trackers. So I have a bunch of loose papers. I just need to figure out my own system
+64 votes
by (3.2k points)
I have the digital format but found I only use the budget by paycheck sheets. I don’t track my cash expenses and I keep track of my checking accounts with a register. I know people use the where my money go worksheets but that was just too much for me personally. I actually just print those sheets now so I didn’t bother going to get the whole thing printed and bound. Plus I won’t have the expense of buying the new version
by (3.2k points)
I keep track monthly. At the beginning of the month I go through and calculate how much I have left. Like for instance I have $20 saved in my health envelope so that means I only need to budget $20 for March to replace what I used since I like keeping $40 in that envelope. For Christmas, Easter, etc I have that in a notebook I keep with my envelopes that have sheets to go with them so when Easter comes around I can track how much I spent and readjust the savings goal.  
+64 votes
by (2.5k points)
I don’t have the workbook and it’s been working amazingly well. Be patient with yourself when just starting out.  
+45 votes
by (4.1k points)
I just made my own sheet in excel and print. ‍♀️ I would like digital to “write” on not type. I still like pen and paper.  
+67 votes
by (8k points)
For now I have just bought the paycheck trackers. It’s a one time purchase of $2. Honestly just having those makes a world of a difference for me. The rest I write out by hand and make it work.  
+47 votes
by (1.2k points)
I started with a notebook. Just writing it all down and tracking is powerful!  
+48 votes
by (3.1k points)
By the trackers in the TBM shop and they can be printed and reprinted month after month. One time fee and it’s very affordable.  
+44 votes
by (1.8k points)
Use what she sends in the email when you first sign up, that’s what we used until we got the workbook
+48 votes
by (13.1k points)
I made my own in excel. That way I could alter them to fit what I needed and can change them whenever I want.  
+73 votes
by (2.8k points)
Free resource library/email starter course. If you really want the paycheck worksheet purchase it separately for $2. But I started with a notebook and pen and the starter email, and then eventually got the workbook.  
+43 votes
by (12k points)
I used her free resources for a few months in a used three ring binder I had at home. Worked just fine.  
+65 votes
by (2.6k points)
At first, I thought I needed it but I’ve managed to do without it for two months. I went to the dollar tree and got a calendar book. Then, I printed out her free worksheets and doing just fine.  
+37 votes
by (1.3k points)
I bought the printable; check out how i use it  
https://youtu.be/L0DMFeaB6yw
+57 votes
by (750 points)
I e used the free printable in the library and have been doing fine so far. Just printed my own spending trackers
+43 votes
by (3.2k points)
I created a binder using the free resources from the email course & the free resource library on the website. It’s been working out well & best of all was free since I already had the binder.  
+52 votes
by (8.8k points)
I printed pages from the email course. I do plan on buying the digital book so I can print pages but just haven't done it yet.  
+65 votes
by (2.6k points)
I only wanted 1 page out of her workbook, which is the paycheck weekly one and it is on her website for $2. 00, so I purchased it.  
+74 votes
by (2.4k points)
Since her planner was out of stock, I made up my own BBP pages on Googles Docs (Sheets). I saw how her monthly budget was layed out and just made my own.  
+72 votes
by (1.7k points)
I started last October without the workbook and don’t plan on purchasing it. I did purchase her paycheck by paycheck worksheets. That’s been helping me so far. I just purchased an ErinCondren. com deluxe monthly planner, I plan to use that for my budgeting too on top of everyday things. I would take Miko’s e-mail course and sign up for newsletters.  
+37 votes
by (900 points)
I made my own form and just printed out an undated calendar when I first started
+67 votes
by (2.5k points)
I use one sheet of notepaper, the HP spending tracker insert and the monthly spread in my planner. I've yet to find a dedicated budget book I get on with. Each to their own.  
+46 votes
by (14.2k points)
Use excel to make a template and print it out.  
+56 votes
by (820 points)
I did her intro course which you sign up on for free. As already mentioned it has free printables. I also went on pinterest as I started figuring and adjusting to what I was looking for. Example you can also find free yearly calendars.  
+40 votes
by (6.9k points)
I made my own
+54 votes
by (760 points)
Use the free resources available. Also I recommend the digital wkbk if you can afford that way you can print the pgs you need/actually use as needed. You could also look at pics of the pgs people have posted of their budgets and make your own on computer paper or something to tide you over and you may also find it doesn’t work for you and have to tweak for yourself
+56 votes
by (4.3k points)
You do not have to have a workbook, it does make it easier though. I used a plain spiral notebook for years. You can also buy her digital copy and use it.  
+47 votes
by (3.4k points)
I do my own thing with the help of Miko's free stuff. Spreadsheets don't work for me. I like to color, decorate, make things my own. Started back in November 2019. Working it my way ‼️
+63 votes
by (2.9k points)
When you buy the workbook she gives a link and password to videos that explain exactly how to do each page and shows the entire process.  
+68 votes
by (2.3k points)
I use her methods and style but i use the Dave Ramsey app to actually keep track. I don’t prefer his style and don’t follow him but i do like the spo
+58 votes
by (1.1k points)
I have bought her book twice and just can’t do it. I really didn’t care for them. I do better with my excel spreadsheet.  
+67 votes
by (2.9k points)
Get the printable download. I have both the bound book and the printable and prefer printing the sheets I need
+53 votes
by (1.8k points)
I bought the printable and have more or less tweaked the methodology to suit my purposes. I am now hybrid spreadsheet and paper. As well as cash and cards
+49 votes
by (1.2k points)
I printed a printable calendar from online for the month and just track my spending on loose leaf paper :). Its color coordinated with the highlighters and I just use a ruler to make it look nice. I do the same with regular envelopes and track from homemade index card trackers.  
+52 votes
by (1.4k points)
Get the pdf version. I love it!  
+74 votes
by (980 points)
I felt the same way, but I purchased the printable workbook. My advice print out one month to see exactly how many pages you need. I used January as a practice and tracking my spending. February was my 1st attempt.  
+54 votes
by (980 points)
I have also done happy planner budget.  
+37 votes
by (2.7k points)
I made a version of her paycheck budget worksheet in Excel. You could do that but print it out and fill it in manually
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