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Stacy's Savings

Budget-Friendly Home Design & DIY

Getting Organized: Budget Binder!

Organizing · December 29, 2014

This post contains affiliate links. More information is available in my Affiliate Disclosure.

Want to get your financial house in order? If you like to keep track of your budget by hand instead of online, check out my Budget Binder and get organized today!

Stacy's Savings Budget Binder

Organize Your Life With Binders

This is the third binder in my Organize Your Life With Binders Series!  So far, I’ve showed you our House Binder, Emergency Binder, Blog & Small Business Binder, and Meal Planning Binder.  Here’s a really important one for frugal living: The Budget Binder!

The Budget Binder is crucial for living a Frugal Lifestyle.  This keeps us on track to make the most of the money that we have and maximize our savings.

Supplies

Budget Binder Supplies

To make my Budget Binder, I used these supplies:

  • 1″ Staples Better Binder
  • Avery Big Pocket Dividers – 5 Tab
  • Staples Pencil Pouch
  • Avery Monthly Dividers
  • Baseball Card Pages
  • Notebook Paper
  • 3 Hole Punch
  • Label Maker

You might also want to use these supplies:

  • A Second Set of Avery Monthly Dividers
  • Avery Heavyweight Page Protectors

My binder is pretty basic, but I’ve added some things that you might want to use for your own binders!  I decided on Green for the Budget binder, because Green = Money.  Get it?  Staples has a ton of colors and sizes in their Better Binder Line.  They really are better binders.  I love them!

Budget Binder

I printed a basic “Budget” in 48 pt font for the spine window.  This way, is easily visible from a distance, and matches my other binders.

Budget Binder Contents

I have a pencil pouch in each binder so that I always have a pencil/pen/eraser.  This is where I also keep things like State Fair Coupons in the zipper pouch because they are small and you can use them next year.  I always use pencils for my budget binder so I can make changes.  You can pick up a bunch of mechanical pencil packs for cheap during Back to School Sales!

budgetcoverwm

I created a set of cohesive printables for each binder that was modern, yet simple.  Since I would be printing a lot of pages, I didn’t want something that used all of my ink.  The design is subtle, and meant to conserve as much ink as possible, while still looking cool!  I made a cover page to slip in the clear binder cover, and use another in a page protector to make it like a real book.  You know, a title page!

The Budget Section

Empty-Monthly-Budget

The first section is the actual Budget.  I’ve broken this down into monthly Budgets using my Avery Monthly Dividers.  Each month has a blank copy of our Monthly Budget, as well as 2-3 Expense Detail sheets.

Expense-Detail

These are for our “problem” categories, so that we can see where our money is going.  Currently, the “problem” categories are Clothing, Personal Care, General Merchandise, and Restaurants.  All of the fun stuff!  Bummer.  I basically jot down each transaction in those categories with details about what was purchased and how much on these pages.

Bills Section

BillsPaidChecklistBlank

The second section is the Bills Paid section.  I just have a simple checklist in this section that I use for the entire year.  Once I pay a bill, I mark off the box.  There are 12 boxes for each bill, 1 per month.  Since you only print one of these pages per year, you could keep it safe in an Avery Page Protector.

bills-due-calendarwm

Some people might want to use a calendar to jot down due dates for each bill, and I’ve included a blank Calendar Printable if you want to use it.  If I were going to include this in my binder, I would use a second set of Avery Monthly Dividers inside the Bills Paid section to keep them organized.

Those two sections are the meat of the Budget Binder.  I have a few more Budget-related sections to keep things in one place and easy to find.

Reward & Gift Cards Sections

Budget Binder

The next two sections house my Store Rewards Cards & any Gift Cards we receive.  Each section has Baseball Card Pages to keep things organized.  I use the Keyring App on my phone, so I don’t carry my Store Rewards cards.  You need them sometimes, so I keep them in the 3rd section in my Budget Binder.

Budget Binder

I love getting Gift Cards!  They are my favorite gifts!!  I keep any gift cards we get in this section.  Restaurant Gift Cards, Shopping Gift Cards, whatever, they are fun money that doesn’t come out of the budget.  I keep them here so we don’t lose them!  You can’t use them if they are lost!

I keep some loose Notebook Paper in the back of the binder for any notes I want to jot down.

Financial Accounts Section

Account-Log-In-Info

One section that I don’t have in my binder that you might want to have in yours is a place to jot down Log In information & Account Numbers for your bills/accounts.  I personally don’t include this in my budget binder.  This information is very sensitive, so I keep this locked up in a safe place.  But, I realize that some might want to include this in their Budget Binders, so I’ve made a printable for that information.

I use my label maker to create all of the label tabs.  It just makes the binder look more polished and neat!

That’s it!  The Budget Binder really helps to stay on track and organized!  You can’t live frugally if you don’t know where your money is going.  Keep track of your income and expenses with a well-organized Budget Binder!

Printables

budget-printables

I’m attaching my Printables here for you to download for FREE!  These are non-editable PDF Printables.  That’s why they are FREE!  I do have some conditions of their use: These printables were created by me under a creative commons license.  You may use these for your personal use to create your own House Binders, but please do not sell them or use them for any commercial reason.  Enjoy!

Budget Cover Page
Blank Monthly Budget
Expense Detail
Bills Paid Checklist
Bills Due Calendar
Account Log In Info

What do you think? Anything you would do differently? Do you think this would help you get organized and stay on top of things? Do you like the printables? Tell us in the comments! If you like this post, please Pin it to Pinterest!

Check out the entire Organize Your Life With Binders Series!

organize your life with binders

Coming soon: House Remodel Binder, Manual Binders, File Box!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for the latest budget-friendly tips in DIY, Home Decor & Discount Shopping!

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Comments

  1. Crystal says

    April 5, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    I love your binder!!! Just quick question, how would you label the tabs for each section of the binder? Started putting mine together but wasn’t sure about the tabs part. Any ideas will help to where I can just go to the tab I need and finished. Keep up the awesome work that you are doing> I will be coming back for the other binders as well. Have a very Blessed Weekend!!!

    Reply
  2. Jessica says

    May 2, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Thank you so much for these printables.

    Ideas

    I would love to be able to get a monthly bill and due date sheet! And a weekly budget sheet. Because I budget weekly for our income.

    If you could edit the monthly budget and add at least 5 weeks of incline plus an extra slot that would be great for people who get paid weekly and not biweekly.

    Thank you again!

    Reply
  3. Jessica says

    May 2, 2016 at 12:25 am

    Idea for you…

    My husband gets paid weekly. So could you do another printable with at last 5 income slots and an extras slot.
    I have been cramming everything into the notes area for now.

    Also a monthly bills with due dates would be awesome!

    Thank you for your blog!!! I’m loving it!!!!

    Reply
  4. felicity says

    December 29, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    thank you so much for these

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    May 29, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Hello, I have enjoyed using your printables very much. After trying others and ultimately coming back to yours, I have a few suggestions/requests. I like having the binder, but also the ability to take my budget easily where ever I go. Is there any way your printables could be made smaller to put in a purse-friendly, mini binder? Also, I use my expense detail differently, and maybe less efficiently, but could you add an expense detail with Date, Payee, amount, Balance, and Notes? I appreciate all your hard work and organization!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 29, 2015 at 9:33 am

      Thanks Rachel! I’m glad you find my printables helpful. Those are awesome suggestions! I can’t really get to them right now, but I will definitely put it on my “Blog Wishlist” to work on in the future.

      Thanks for reading!

      ~Stacy

      Reply
  6. Jamilyn says

    March 4, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    I love, love , love this but I am having a problem getting the printables. Whenever I choose one I get an add instead. Could you tell me why?

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      March 4, 2015 at 11:21 pm

      Oh no! Have you run an anti-virus lately? I’ve checked on safari, firefox and chrome, and I’m getting the links just fine. Sounds like you might have picked up a trojan somewhere. I tested the site tonight, and its clean.

      Hope that helps a bit! Thanks for reading!

      ~Stacy

      Reply
      • Jamilyn says

        March 5, 2015 at 12:48 am

        Thank you for the quick response. I think you just saved me from disaster! It was a virus and thanks to you my computer is saved :). And I now have your prints 😀 I am so excited to get started! Thanks again!

        Reply
        • Stacy says

          March 7, 2015 at 5:29 pm

          Oh no! I’m glad everything worked out!

          ~Stacy

          Reply
    • Stacy K. says

      October 27, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      I had the same issue at first. Are you clicking on the link in the instructions or are you clicking on them at the bottom. When I clicked on them in the story line, I got adds!

      Reply
  7. Pat says

    January 21, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Perfect. Thank you so much for sharing this. Trying to get organize with the finances.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 21, 2015 at 10:41 am

      You’re welcome! I hope it helps you!

      Reply
  8. Kambrea says

    September 19, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Thanks for the great printables!

    Reply
  9. JJ says

    August 18, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    I found your printable via pintrest, and I have been reading all your organizing posts. SO! great! Thank you so much for sharing them. Off to get organized!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      August 19, 2014 at 11:49 am

      Glad you found me! Good Luck!

      Reply
  10. Kelly says

    August 12, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Super cute! I am working on our budget after having my baby a couple of months ago and am really needing to get back on track! Thanks for your super helpful guidance!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      August 12, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      You’re welcome! Good luck!

      Reply
  11. Eve says

    April 30, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    I just wanted to let you know that your printables are my absolute favourite of all the ones I’ve ever seen on Pinterest. Thanks for making my life SO much easier!

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      May 1, 2014 at 8:46 am

      Aw, you’re so welcome! I’m glad they help!

      Reply
  12. Sabrina says

    January 24, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    ADORABLE!!! I love these printables 🙂 Thanks for sharing and all of your effort to make them.

    Reply
    • Stacy says

      January 25, 2014 at 10:31 am

      Thank you so much! You’re so sweet! There’s new ones coming soon!

      Reply
  13. angela says

    December 28, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Thanks for the great printable!s Looking forward to getting organized:)

    Reply

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About Me

Hi y'all, I'm Stacy! I'm a wife & mom of 3 from North Texas who is currently renovating our 90's Builder-Grade Fixer Upper with DIY Projects that incorporate Function, Organization and Style - all on a budget. At Stacy's Savings, you'll find ideas & strategies to save money transforming your home without sacrificing style. Never pay full price.

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