31 Days to a Better Budget {Day 1}

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Welcome to Day 1! {Click here to find the topic menu for the entire month along with links to each day.}

I have to admit I felt a little scared to start this series, mainly because my blog has been sadly neglected this year and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up with daily posts.

However, after doing some planning, I'm pretty excited now. The framework I'm using from Inexpensively breaks everything into small, doable chunks. So if you're contemplating following along with me, rest assured that the steps are not overwhelming.

As I explained in the introduction, each day I will start by summarizing the previous day's assignment and sharing my progress--the "recap." Since this is Day 1, I'm off the hook!

Gather all of the paperwork that's pertinent to your budget, including (but not limited to):

• pay stubs (and any other documents showing sources of income, such as from a small business)
• receipts
• bills (electricity, natural gas, phone, water, garbage, tuition, etc.), including paperless billing info
• subscription/membership invoices 
• mortgage and/or other loan payment information
• insurance policies
• bank statements

(Note: If you don't receive/keep paper copies of some of the things on this list, you'll need to look up the information on your online accounts and write down the amounts.)

Next, decide on a work space you will use during this process, whether it be a desk, section of a table or counter, or a box. Do have mercy on your family, though, and leave enough room for eating meals together. ;)

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