How to Budget When You’re Broke

(A guide for when things feel tight and overwhelming)

Let me just say it straight: trying to “get ahead” financially when you’re already broke feels a little bit like being told to run a marathon while your shoelaces are tied together.
You’re not lazy.
You’re not irresponsible.
And you’re definitely not alone.

I’ve had those seasons where there’s too much month left at the end of the money. Where budgeting didn’t feel like a cute organizational tool—it felt like damage control. I’m talking full-on “what can I skip, sell, or shuffle around just to make it through this week” mode.

And what really frustrated me back then?
Every budgeting tip I read felt like it was written for people who already had money.
“Cut out your $6 daily latte”... I wasn’t buying lattes.
“Set aside $500 a month for savings”... With what?!
There had to be another way to talk about money—a way that worked for real people, in real situations.

So this blog isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about shame or blame. It’s about getting honest, getting organized, and taking back some control—bit by bit. Because even when you feel broke, you are not powerless.

Step 1: Stop the Bleeding (a.k.a. Know Where It’s Going)

Before you can “budget,” you’ve got to know what’s actually happening with your money right now.

This isn’t about judgment—it’s about clarity. Pull up your bank account, your card statements, all of it. Print them out if you need to (there’s something about seeing it in black and white). Highlight everything that’s a need—rent, utilities, gas, groceries—and what’s a want or leak.

You might be shocked at how many little charges are slipping through. A $12 app subscription here. An auto-renewed trial you forgot to cancel. These small amounts can add up fast—and sometimes, finding $50–$100 per month is just about plugging those holes.

If you’re overwhelmed and need a system to track all this without drowning in spreadsheets, I created a Financial Planner Bundle with printable tools that make it easier to get your arms around it. It includes things like a bill tracker, spending log, and budget template—all designed for folks who don’t want to use complicated apps or do mental math at 10 p.m.
👉 You can check it out here if that feels helpful.

Step 2: Build a Bare-Bones Budget That Reflects Now, Not Someday

This part is where a lot of people freeze up—because they think “budgeting” means restriction. Like it’s some kind of financial punishment. But budgeting isn’t about deprivation—it’s about direction. It’s a plan that helps you stop spiraling and start steering.

And when you’re broke? You don’t need a color-coded, 10-tab Excel doc. You need a bare-bones, this-is-what-keeps-me-afloat kind of budget.

Here’s how I like to do it:

• List your non-negotiables—housing, food, medication, transportation, basic utilities.
• Estimate your actual income (not what you wish it was, not what it used to be).
• Match your income to those essentials and only those essentials for now.

That’s your survival budget. It may not look cute. It may not include fun stuff (yet). But it keeps the lights on while you catch your breath—and that matters more than anyone on Instagram cutting $1,000 with their “cash envelope challenge.”

And once you’ve mapped that out?
Use it as your baseline. You’re not stuck here forever. You’re starting here—with clarity and honesty—and that is power.

You don’t have to figure it out from scratch either. My Financial Planner Bundle includes a simple, printable budget worksheet that makes this process feel less overwhelming and more doable. It’s designed for people like us—people who want to build a future but need a plan that fits real life.
👉 Grab the planner bundle here

Step 3: Learn the Rules (That No One Ever Taught Us)

Here’s something that makes me want to scream into a throw pillow:
Most of us were never taught how to manage money.

We were told to “work hard,” “save for retirement,” and “be responsible”—but no one explained how to actually do that when you’re living paycheck to paycheck, juggling kids, inflation, and a $9 box of cereal.

This is why budgeting can feel so defeating. Because if you’re like me—and like a lot of Gen Xers—you hit midlife and realized… oh, no one’s coming to save me. There’s no pension. No emergency fund. Retirement? That feels like a fantasy. And it’s not because you’re bad with money—it’s because you were never given the rulebook.

But I’ve got something that can help with that.

I created a free guide called “7 Money Rules You Must Learn Before It’s Too Late.”
It’s a straight-talking, no-fluff crash course on the essential habits and mindset shifts that can help you start turning things around—even if you feel behind, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start. These are the same principles I wish someone had handed me twenty years ago.

📥 Click here to download the guide—it’s free, it’s helpful, and it’s made for you.

Step 4: Build Breathing Room—Even If It’s $5 at a Time

Here’s the truth: it’s not about how much you save—it’s that you start.

I used to roll my eyes at advice that said, “Just save 20% of your income.” Girl, 20% of what? If you’ve ever felt that way too, this is your reminder that small savings still matter.

Even if all you can stash away is five bucks from each paycheck—that’s a start. That’s momentum. That’s showing up for your future self, even if today’s version of you is eating scrambled eggs for dinner again.

You don’t need thousands in a high-yield savings account tomorrow. But you do need a tiny pocket of peace you can build over time. Call it an emergency fund. Call it your “forget this, I’m out” money. Whatever works for you—just start it. Hide it from yourself if you need to. Transfer it out of sight. Round up your purchases. Empty out that change jar. Little by little.

And if you need help tracking what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what could be redirected to savings—even in a “broke” season—the Financial Planner Bundle has a Savings Tracker that can keep you going. No guilt, no pressure, just gentle guidance so you can start building that breathing room.
👉 Peek at it here

Step 5: Stop Letting Debt Boss You Around

Let’s talk about the D-word. Ok, ok. Get your mind out of the gutter.

I'm not talking about THAT D-word, I'm talking about...
Debt.
It’s heavy. It’s stressful.

If you’re carrying credit card debt, medical bills, student loans, or a car payment that makes you wince every time it hits your bank account… I see you. Debt has a way of creeping in when you’re just trying to survive. It’s not always about overspending or bad decisions—it’s often about life being expensive, unpredictable, and unforgiving.

But here’s what I want you to know: you are still allowed to build a future, even with debt.
You don’t have to wait until it’s all paid off to start budgeting, saving, or dreaming. You can walk and chew gum. You can pay off debt and build hope. One step at a time.

Start by making a list of every debt you owe—yes, all of it. Seeing the full picture is scary, but it’s also liberating. From there, you can pick a payoff method (snowball, avalanche, whatever feels empowering to you) and start moving the needle—even if it’s just by a few bucks a week.

The Financial Planner Bundle includes a Debt Tracker that breaks it all down in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you. You can see your progress clearly, and that’s a powerful motivator when you’re climbing out of the pit.
👉 Check it out here if you’re ready for that next step

And please hear this: you are not your debt. It’s a chapter, not your whole story.

Step 6: Create a Budget That Works in Real Life (Not Just on Paper)

Now that you’ve looked at your spending, figured out your bare-bones essentials, and maybe even carved out a few dollars for savings and debt—it’s time to build a budget that doesn’t make you want to throw it across the room.

Here’s what I tell everyone (and remind myself when life goes sideways): your budget should reflect reality, not shame.

If your grocery budget needs to be higher because you’ve got kids, allergies, or just want to eat food that doesn’t make you sick—that’s valid. If you need to budget in $20 a month for a sanity-saving coffee or Netflix subscription—do it without guilt. A good budget isn’t about restriction. It’s about alignment. It tells your money where to go so you’re not wondering where it went.

You can write it out in a notebook, use a spreadsheet, or print one out from the Financial Planner Bundle, which has a Budget Planner and Bill Tracker already laid out for you. (Spoiler alert: it’s what I use, too.)
👉 Grab the bundle here if you’re ready to organize without the overwhelm

Step 7: Find a Way to Earn More (That Doesn’t Require a Degree or a Ring Light)

This is the part no one wants to hear—but it’s also the part that can change everything:
You can only cut so much. At some point, you need to earn more.

And before you roll your eyes (because, same), I’m not talking about starting a whole new business or becoming a social media guru overnight. I’m talking about realistic ways to bring in a little extra money—money that could help you pay off debt faster, build your emergency fund, or finally exhale when the bills are paid.

One of the simplest options I’ve come across? SendIt.

It’s a beginner-friendly affiliate program that pays you to mail envelopes to sweepstakes companies. Yep—you literally write, address, and mail physical envelopes, and get paid up to $5 per envelope. There’s no selling, no social media hustle, and no tech skills required. You can do it from your kitchen table with a cup of coffee and a good playlist.

➡️ Click here to learn how SendIt works and see if it’s a fit for you

It’s not a get-rich-quick thing. But it is a real, simple way to earn some extra income without burning yourself out. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to get out of “just surviving” mode.

I know what it feels like to look at your bank account and feel like you’re failing. To feel behind. To feel like you’ll never “catch up.” But I promise you this:

You are not broken.
You are not too late.
And you are not alone in this.

Start with one step. One tracked expense. One tiny savings win. One printed page from that planner bundle that helps you see things a little more clearly. One envelope in the mail that turns into five dollars you didn’t have before.

You don’t need to get it perfect. You just need to get going.
I’m walking this road with you—and I believe in what you’re building, even if it doesn’t look like much yet.

And hey, if you haven’t downloaded my free guide yet, now’s a great time:
📥 7 Money Rules You Must Learn Before It’s Too Late
Because when you know the rules, you stop surviving—and start making moves that matter.

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I am not a medical professional, and the information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your skincare or wellness routine.