Guide to Budgeting
The Importance of Accountability
Do yourself a huge budgeting favor and get an accountability partner. That’s someone who’s encouraging enough to cheer you on and bold enough to call you out. Got a spouse? Boom. You’ve got a built-in accountability partner.
Here’s why you need one: When you’re in the thick of making any goal happen, knowing you’ve got someone checking in makes all the difference. And budgeting on the reg is not only a great goal—it’s also the foundation of hitting all your other money goals!
Budget Meetings
Get with your accountability partner every month to check in and set up the next budget. If you’re married, do this together and in person at a monthly budget meeting. If you’re working with a friend or family member, you’re welcome to make your budget alone, but never skip the check-in.
If you aren’t sure what to actually do in these meetings, grab yourself a copy of our budget meeting guide at the end of this section.
Listen—there’s no shame in asking someone to help you keep your eye on the goal. Just the opposite. There’s incredible strength in seeking accountability. So, get with your accountability partner and start planning those budget meetings. Today!
How to Get on the Same Page With Your Spouse
If you feel like you’re miles away from being able to have successful budget meetings with your spouse, because you’re not even on the same page about money, start here.
Have a conversation together and follow these four guidelines (from our budgeting BFF and money expert Rachel Cruze).
1. Be Honest
When you’re talking about money, dreams and building your life together, it’s important to be vulnerable and honest with your partner. These types of conversations are the ones that build or strengthen the foundation of your relationship and ultimately your life together. Be honest about what you believe and how you feel, then allow your spouse to do the same.
2. Listen
Really listen to your spouse. Don’t just listen to think up a response of your own. Here’s an idea: When your spouse is talking, you can only ask questions. This will help you get to know the why behind how they actually feel. Then, when they’re finished, you can share your thoughts about what they said.
3. Stay Calm
When you raise your voice, your spouse will likely raise theirs to match. Then you’re both just talking loudly (or yelling) just to be heard. If you’re listening intently and asking questions, there will be no need for yelling. So, stay calm no matter what.
4. Show Grace
Being too hard on yourself or your spouse won’t help. Find a way to bring together grace and truth and live in the center of them. There will be hard truths that you’ll both have to sort through, but learning how to respond to each one with grace will go a long way.
If you want even more help with this, check out our Ramsey+ Marriage Bundle. This ultimate collection of teaching and tools is perfect for any couple—whether you’ve been married five minutes or 50 years. You’ll learn how to start healthy conversations about money, set goals together, and start budgeting as a team.
Couples Budget Meeting Guide
Twelve months of the year means twelve budget meetings in a year. You and your spouse will be ready with this guide.
Classic Budget Meeting Guide
Grab your accountability partner and use this guide to make each meeting easy peasy, budget squeezy. (Just go with it.)