It’ June! A new month, with new opportunities to learn, grow and be your best self. And contrary to popular belief, being in control of your money can help you to do just that. So for this month, we will be focusing on having a money system aka spending plan aka budget. I like to call it a system because for me its not just about allocating funds, its also about putting things in place to make sure the funds do what they are suppose to.

I used to think budgeting meant cutting back on all the things I loved. I thought it was for people who were either broke or bad with money or extremely rich with multiple businesses. So I ignored it. I convinced myself that as long as I wasn’t overspending, I didn’t need one. But that was just fear in disguise.

Every month I’d get paid, and by the second week I was wondering where all my money went. I wasn’t reckless. I just didn’t have a clear plan.

Once I accepted that what I believed was a lie, I started to act differently with money.

🧠 What We Really Avoid When We Avoid Budgeting

Most of us aren’t avoiding numbers. We’re avoiding the feelings behind them.

Guilt. Shame. Fear that we’re not doing enough. Fear that we’ll have to give up what brings us joy.

But here’s the truth I learned the hard way. A budget is not restriction. It’s direction.

It’s a way of telling your money what you value and making sure it reflects that.

And when I stopped calling it a budget and started thinking of it as my Money System, I stopped feeling deprived and started feeling in control.

💰 How I Built My First Real Spending Plan

Here’s exactly what I did when I decided to stop winging it with my money.

First, I wrote down everything I had to pay for every month. Rent, daycare, groceries, bills. These were non-negotiable.

Then, I included the things I wanted to build. Debt payments, savings, a little investment. Even if the amounts were small, they had a spot.

Next, I looked at my lifestyle. Friday takeout. Hair appointments. Baby snacks. Those mattered too.

Finally, I made sure every dollar had a job. Not a punishment. A purpose.

I printed out my bank statements and highlighted everything. I began to notice patterns and dirty habits, but I also saw some things that I valued. Seeing it all in one place was uncomfortable, but it was the clarity I needed.

I didn’t stop spending. I just started spending on purpose.

🛠️ How You Can Set Up Your Simple Money System

Let this be the month you stop letting your money happen to you and start telling it where to go.

Here's how to set up a system that fits your real life:

✅ Start with your total income ( not just work, side hustles, gifts, basically everything that come in. It’s called income for a reason)
✅ Subtract your fixed costs (bills that you pay every month)
✅ Decide how much you want to put toward your goals (start small, the habit is more important than the amount for now).
✅ Leave room for joy and the lifestyle you want ( life’s little luxuries)
✅ Add a “grace” category for unexpected things
✅ Check in every Sunday for 10 to 15 minutes (until you get things under control)

If you cant do this by yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help. (you can reply to this email if you need).

This is about creating calm, not pressure. You’re not trying to be perfect. You’re trying to be present.

🌟 Budgeting Isn’t the Goal. Freedom Is.

You deserve to feel safe with your money. To open your bank app without anxiety. To know you’re building something that reflects who you are and what matters most.

I’ve seen this shift in my own life. Once I got my system in place, I stopped arguing with myself about spending. I stopped feeling guilty for treating myself. I started living with more ease, not less.

That’s the power of a spending plan that aligns with your values. It brings peace, not pressure.

👣 Start Small. Start This Week.

If you’re overwhelmed, don’t freeze. Just start small.

Pull up your most recent bank statement. Highlight every transaction. Ask yourself one honest question:

Did this align with what matters most to me?

If it didn’t, don’t beat yourself up. Just use it as data. That’s all a money system is. Clarity and direction and sometimes redirection.

💛 You Don’t Need More Willpower. You Need a System That Works for You.

You’re not bad with money. You’re just missing a strategy that fits your real life.

This week, give yourself the gift of clarity. Not when you get a raise. Not after you’ve paid everything off. Now. Start where you are.

You’ve got what it takes to lead your finances with peace, intention, and joy. And I’m walking with you every step of the way.

Cheers to becoming Fulfilled and Free,

Sandrene