Build Your First Monthly Budget

A one-month budget sheet with your income, fixed costs, flexible spends and a savings goal, plus two decisions you will change next month.

Money habits set in your teens tend to stick. A budget you built yourself teaches more than any lecture on saving.

• Separate fixed costs from flexible spending
• Set a savings target that survives a normal month
• Explain a money trade-off you chose to make

1. 1

   List your money in

   Pocket money, part-time work, gifts, scholarships — monthly totals only.

2. 2

   Track one week of spending

   Note every spend, however small. Chai counts.

3. 3

   Sort into three buckets

   Fixed, flexible, savings. Estimate the month from your week.

4. 4

   Set one savings goal

   Name it and give it an amount and a date.

5. 5

   Choose two changes

   Pick two flexible spends you will reduce, and say by how much.

• Your completed budget sheet as a link, PDF or screenshot
• Your savings goal with amount and date
• A reflection on the two changes you chose

Accepted formats: Canva link, PDF, image, document, video link or written reflection.