Budget Like a Boss
4 Methods to Make Your Money Work for You
Let’s get real: one of the biggest secrets to building wealth is wildly unsexy, wildly effective, and—brace yourself—totally doable.
Spend less than you earn.
Revolutionary? No. Easy? Not necessarily.
But here’s the deal: It doesn’t matter if you make $40k or $400k—if you spend more than you bring in, you’ll always feel like you’re treading financial water in a Canadian tuxedo. That’s where budgeting comes in.
I know, I know. The word “budget” can sound like a punishment. But budgeting isn’t about giving up your oat milk lattes or swearing off cute throw pillows. It’s just a financial GPS—helping you spend intentionally so you can build the life you actually want.
Let’s break down four popular budgeting methods, so you can pick what works best for your lifestyle, spending habits, and energy level. Because just like parenting, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
1. The 50/30/20 Rule
A nice, clean formula that divides your after-tax income into 3 categories:
50% Needs: Rent, utilities, groceries, childcare, insurance, transportation
30% Wants: Dining out, Netflix, Target strolls, girls’ nights
20% Savings/Debt Repayment: Emergency fund, investing, or knocking out those student loans
Best for moms who want structure without a million categories.
2. Zero-Based Budgeting
Give every dollar a job. Yes, even the lazy ones.
You start with your monthly take-home pay and assign every single dollar a purpose—until you hit zero. That means every dollar is accounted for: savings, groceries, fun money, the PTA bake sale—no freeloaders here.
Best for Type A moms who love a good spreadsheet and get a thrill from balancing the books.
3. The Envelope Method
Old-school cool. Like a paper planner or sending snail mail.
Withdraw cash, divide it into envelopes (like groceries, gas, or date night), and once an envelope’s empty, that’s it—you’re done spending in that category for the month. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
Best for moms who tend to swipe now, regret later – provides visual learning and a tactile system.
4. Values-Based Budgeting
Budgeting for what actually matters to you—not what Instagram says should matter.
This approach ditches the scarcity mentality and instead focuses on spending in alignment with your values. Love travel? Budget for it. Obsessed with your weekly mani? Make room for it. Want to build wealth? Prioritize it.
If something big doesn’t fit into this month’s budget, save up over time. That way, when you finally buy the thing, you feel at ease knowing you can afford it.
Best for moms who want flexibility, freedom, and a budget that reflects their real-life values.
Smart Mom Tips
Pay yourself first: Set up automatic transfers to savings/investments/debt payments before spending anything else
Track every expense: Awareness = power
Audit your spending regularly: Are you paying $200/month for streaming subscriptions you barely use? Time to cut the cord
Check for lifestyle creep: Just got a raise? Don’t let your expenses expand to match it - build wealth instead
Mom Brain Recap
Budgeting isn’t a financial diet—it’s your money strategy. You don’t have to give up everything you love, just get intentional about where your dollars go. With the right budgeting method, you’ll go from "Where did all my money go?" to "Look at me crushing goals and saving like a boss!"
A few smart choices (and maybe calling your internet provider to negotiate) can add up to hundreds saved each month. And that’s wealth-building energy.
Need a little inspo to get your budget blooming? Grab the free SheWealth Monthly Budget Spreadsheet—it’s the perfect starting point to build your own. You’ll find it waiting for you in the Resource Garden.