7 Best Budgeting Blogs to Take Control of Your Money in 2021

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Looking to take control of your budget in 2020? Yeah, me too! It takes consistent effort and willpower to stop overspending and achieve debt freedom.

Here are 9 of the best budgeting blogs to help you get it together this year so you can finally start reaching your money goals.

1. Why It’s Important to Budget to Pay Off Debt – The Budgeting Couple

I just love the content that Nikayla and Evan are creating over at The Budgeting Couple. They consistently share frugal living tips and ways to make money and save money.

But in this post, they shared why it’s absolutely vital to create a budget to pay off debt quickly. Here are a few questions featured in the article:

• What Does Having More Money Mean For You?
• Why Most People Fail To Pay Off Their Debts
• What’s The Secret To Getting Out Of Debt?

2. How to Budget for an Extra Paycheck in a Month – The Budget Mom

You’d be surprised how many people fail to budget for that third paycheck in a month. You know…usually around May and November…when (if you’re paid bi-weekly) you receive not two..but three paychecks?

Many people take that extra check as a gimme, and they fail to create a budget that aligns with their values and goals.

She shares the fact that “Your extra paycheck does not mean you have no financial obligations for that money” and that it’s easy to squander that paycheck if you aren’t careful.

3. The Only Way to Avoid Overwhelm in Budgeting – Busy Budgeter, Rosemarie Groner

Rosemarie is one of my fellow Elite Blog Academy alums. She was one of the very first bloggers I looked up to for inspiration in launching a blog as a legit full-time business.

In her article about budgeting overwhelm, she shares 10 tips.

Here are a few of the Best Budgeting Blogs Tips:

1. Schedule Your Budget Time
2. Assemble All of Your Bills
3. Calculate your Take-Home Income
4. Calculate Expenses

As I said, there are 10 tips for handling that overwhelming feeling when creating a budget. This is the article to read if you’re afraid to open mail or living paycheck to paycheck.

4. How to Budget Finances As If It’s Your Full-Time Job – Perfection Hangover

I’ve been following some of the best budgeting blogs online since 2007, so I’ve learned a lot from them throughout the years.

When we first moved to Illinois from Georgia, I started back in the banking business, but with childcare being so expensive, we quickly learned that it would be better if we just cracked down on spending so I could stay home with the kids.

The only reason that I was able to be a stay at home mom was that I became a serious budgeter.

My take-home pay (after paying for daycare and fuel for commuting) was a sickening $600 per month, so I figured if I could find a way to save $500-600 per month and pay off some debt, we’d be okay with me quitting my job.

You can see how I learned to budget finances here.

5. The 50-30-20 Rule Explained – Millennial Money Man

Here’s the basic gist of the 50-30-20 rule:

• 50% of your after-tax income goes towards your needs or financial obligations
• 30% for your wants or non-essential items
• 20% for debt and savings

I have my own thoughts about the 50-30-20 rule, and I don’t think 20% is enough for debt repayments. It’s contradictory to lump savings in with debts because they’re polar opposites.

I also think 30% for things you want is excessive (particularly if you’re in debt). But it’s a well-written post that deserves mentioning here.

Here are my own percentage-based budgeting amounts:

• 60% for needs and wants
• 10% for savings
• 30% for debt payments

I break down how much you should allot towards housing and cars (along with how much you can afford) in my Better Budget Blueprint course (launching soon), but for now, you can sign up for my free 5-day budget boot camp.

6. How I Furnished My Entire Home For Under $3,000 – Thrifty and Chic

I don’t often share home decor ideas on Perfection Hangover, but this one deserves a share. Furnishing a home can set you back tens of thousands of dollars, and most people agonize over buying a new mattress or a sofa or kitchen table.

And don’t get me started on the cost of dining chairs (and why they’re all individually priced).

Alicia is an avid DIYer, and she shares exactly which pieces she bought to furnish her whole home for under $3,000 total.

It’s impressive and absolutely stunning!

A few pieces she chose to furnish with:

1. Canopy Bed on Amazon
2. Industrial Metal Chairs
3. Side Table on Clearance at Hobby Lobby
4. Sofa from RC Wiley

I never thought about trying to furnish an entire house for less than $3,000 but this is perfect for people relocating to different states.

It might be more cost-effective to sell most of your furniture, rent a smaller truck or moving pod, and look for furniture deals when you arrive at your new home.

7. How to Change Your Finances in 2020 – Jessi Fearon

Jessi Fearon’s tagline is “Real Life on a Budget”. She shares practical ways to manage your money in everyday life.

Takeaways include:

• You Need a Budget
• You Need an Emergency Fund
• You Need to Stop Relying on Debt
• You Need to Pay Off Your Debt – The Faster the Better
• You Need Life Insurance
• You Need a Retirement Account

Bottom Line

If you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck or never having anything to show for your hard work, it’s time to take control of your budget. These 7 best budgeting blogs can help you get a fresh start in 2020.

Don’t forget to jump in and join my free 5-day budget boot camp!