Setting Up A Budget Binder

Setting up a Budget Binder

I searched everywhere for a budget binder that would fit my needs, but it seemed like every single one of them fell short in one area or another. So I did what any determined organizing geek would do, and I created my own! This binder has everything I need and nothing more.

I purchased this binder at Staples. I LOVE their binders. They come in a ton of colors (I picked green for money), they are extremely durable and they are a bit wider than normal binders, so that I can fit my favorite dividers in them, without overhang. I just created a title page in Word, and inserted it into the front cover sleeve.

Then, I found these calendar printables as a free download, but you can also buy some really cute ones from Etsy. I started by printing all 12 months. Having the entire year ready will save you lots of time later, so it’s worth the extra effort now.

As bills arrive, I enter them into the calendar…

and then place them in the sleeve to the left of the monthly printout.

I used my Brother’s label maker to label all twelve months. These are a Staples brand dividers, and I love that you can fit a letter-size sheet of paper into the pockets.

I also found these free cute girl printables, to insert a title page for each section. When I make something cute and fun, I tend to use it a lot more and take pleasure in the process. Paying bills needs all the help it can get!

Lastly, I keep a yearly tracker at the front of the binder. I use this to mark which payments are automatically deducted from my account, and we make sure everything has been paid for the month.