Life doesn’t stay the same, and your budget shouldn’t either! Today I’m showing you how to assess what’s working, tweak what’s not, and stay flexible as your goals and circumstances change. So, if you’re ready to keep building on the progress you’ve made, stick around—this episode is packed with tips to help you stay on track for the long haul. Let’s get started.
Links for This Episode
- Check out these DIY Resources and Templates
- Download your FREE Family Budget Worksheet
- Join the Financial Fix Up Membership
Podcast Episode Recommendations
- #54: Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: Starting Strong
- #21: So You Failed in Your Monthly Budget, Now What?
- #7: How Much Money Should I Allocate to Paying Down Debt?
- #4: How to Cope When Your Income Doesn’t Cover Your Necessities
Grab Your Financial Fix Up Planner Today
Here’s the deal: in order to achieve your long-term financial goals, you have to have a budget that works for you and your family. That means, getting super clear on your income, expenses, and total debt payoff amounts, so you can make any necessary changes and begin to see progress. That’s exactly what the Financial Fix Up Planner is designed to help you do. With step-by-step instructions to set up your budget, monthly challenges to keep you on your toes, menu planning resources, and space to reflect on your goals, you’ll have everything you need to pursue your dream of financial freedom. Sound like something you need? You can grab your copy today at lemonblessings.com/planner and take back control of your family finances. Once again that’s lemonblessings.com/planner for your copy of the Financial Fix Up Planner.
Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle: Review and Adjust
Hey there, and welcome back to the Financial Fix Podcast! I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and I’m so excited you’re here for the final episode in our series on breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.
Over the past few episodes, we’ve tackled everything from tracking your spending and creating a budget to setting clear financial goals and involving your loved ones in the process. If you’ve been following along, you’ve already laid an incredible foundation, and I hope you’re feeling more empowered with every step.
But before we wrap up this series, there’s one more critical piece we need to talk about: reviewing and adjusting your budget. Because let’s be real—life doesn’t stay the same, and your budget shouldn’t either.
This last step is all about staying flexible and making sure your financial plan actually works for you over time. I’ll going share when and how to review your budget, some easy ways to make adjustments when life happens, and a few tips I have that can help to keep moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.
By the end of this episode, my goal is that you’ll have the tools to build on the progress you’ve made in this series—and keep it going into the future. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Why Reviewing and Adjusting Matters
First we have to understand why this step is so important and that’s because your budget isn’t a “set it and forget it” kind of tool. Life happens—your car breaks down, you get a raise, or maybe your priorities shift. If you don’t take time to review and adjust your budget, it can quickly stop working for you.
Here’s the thing: making changes to your budget doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re paying attention, and that’s a huge win! Adjustments are part of the process, and they keep you moving forward instead of feeling stuck.
Think of it like maintaining your car—you don’t just drive it forever without checking the oil or rotating the tires, right? Your budget works the same way. Regular maintenance keeps it running smoothly and helps you avoid bigger issues down the road.
When to Review Your Budget
How often should you review your budget? Well, that really depends on your situation, but there are a few key times to check in.
- At the end of each month, it’s a good idea to look back at how things went—compare your actual spending to what you planned and make any adjustments for the month ahead.
- You’ll also want to reassess whenever life changes, like starting a new job, moving, or tackling a big expense like back-to-school shopping.
- And don’t forget to review when your goals shift. If you’ve reached a milestone, like paying off a credit card or hitting a savings target, take a moment to celebrate and then decide what’s next.
Personally, I like to do a quick weekly check-in to stay on top of any changes, followed by a more detailed review at the end of each month. It keeps things manageable and helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed.
How to Review and Adjust Your Budget
Reviewing your budget doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Start by looking at what happened over the past month. Compare your budgeted amounts to what you actually spent—did you stick to your plan, or were there areas where you overspent? No judgment here—just focus on what worked and what didn’t.
- Next, take a moment to celebrate your wins. Did you hit a savings goal or stay under budget in one category? Those victories, no matter how small, deserve to be acknowledged!
- From there, adjust for any changes. If an unexpected expense came up or you received a pay raise, tweak your budget to reflect your current reality.
- Finally, if you have extra money left over, decide where it should go. Could it help pay off debt, boost your savings, or maybe fund something fun?
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Every adjustment brings you closer to where you want to be.
Are You Ready to Review and Adjust?
As we wrap up this series on breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, I want to leave you with one final action step: take 15-30 minutes to review your budget. Look at what’s working, what needs adjustment, and where you can make changes to align with your goals. If you haven’t started budgeting yet, now is the perfect time. Grab your copy of the Financial Fix Up Planner at lemonblessings.com/planner to get started—it’s your step-by-step guide to taking control of your finances.
While this is the final episode in this series, it’s not the end of your journey. Breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle is a process, and every step you take—no matter how small—brings you closer to financial freedom. And there’s so much more ahead! We’ll continue to dive into practical tips and strategies for saving, tackling debt, and even things like meal planning on a budget. So be sure to you are subscribed to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode!
Once again, I’m so grateful that you’ve joined me for this series. If you’ve found these episodes helpful, please share them with a friend or loved one who might need encouragement on their own financial journey. Together, we can spread hope and financial encouragement, one step at a time.
And as always, I’m cheering you on every step of the way. You’ve got this! Have an amazing day, and I’ll chat with you again next time!
