The Truth About Budgeting (From Someone Who Thought They Didn’t Need One)

The people who say they don’t need a budget are usually the people who need one the most — and I feel fine calling that out because I used to be one of them.

I was lucky enough to land a job in software development — a field that pays above average, especially for a fresh grad back in 2017. With that kind of paycheck, it always felt like the money was just… there. I wasn’t balling out, but I also didn’t really watch where my money was going. If the bills were paid and I could grab food and whatever I wanted here and there, I figured I was good.

But that mindset cost me. Not in the “I couldn’t pay rent” way — but in the “why do I make good money and still feel broke?” way.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You can’t outwork a bad diet.” Well, the same is true for finances. You can’t out-earn bad spending habits. If making more money were the answer, you wouldn’t hear the stories about lottery winners or NFL players ending up broke. It’s not about how much you make — it’s about how well you manage it.

Fast forward to today, and while things still aren’t perfect, my wife and I have been able to pay off large chunks of debt each year and build a healthy amount of savings—without surviving on rice and beans and beans and rice, as Dave Ramsey likes to say.

You know, it’s funny, we had a brand-new house at one point. Like, freshly built, we were the first people to live there. And now? We live in a house that was built in 1932, lol. It’s not a downgrade in the ways that matter. We made that move intentionally — to be closer to family and to reduce our monthly expenses. Honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made. We’ve got more margin in our budget, and there’s just something about the charm of an old house that new builds can’t quite capture. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss having everything shiny and new, but hey — it’s chill, we’ll manage.

That move, along with a bunch of other money lessons I learned the hard way, eventually led me to build something I wish I had from the start: TheZeroBasedBudget.com. I needed a tool that worked the way my brain does — not just a spreadsheet or a bunch of numbers, but something that actually gave me clarity. A way to see exactly where my money was going and when.

Now, to keep it 💯—this tool isn’t free. It’s $9.99 a month, which breaks down to about 33 cents a day. I know nobody’s exactly excited to add another subscription to their life, but if you actually use this thing the way it’s meant to be used, you’ll save (or make back) way more than that.

I built it to help people like me — people who want to be intentional with their money without turning budgeting into a second job. Honestly, I also believe you need to have a little skin in the game. When something’s completely free, it’s way too easy to walk away and quit. But when you’ve got even a small investment in it? You show up differently.

We use a method called zero-based budgeting — every dollar gets a job. Nothing floats around waiting to “disappear” into random spending. Pair that with our Spending Schedule, I know what my bank balance should be every day of the month. That’s been a game-changer.

With TheZeroBasedBudget, I feel in control. And trust me — when you know your monthly expenses down to the dollar, you start to feel like a superhero. Less fighting over money. Fewer surprises. More confidence.

Money isn’t everything, but let’s be real — it touches everything. One of the top reasons couples argue or split is finances. When you’ve got a shared budget, a plan, and real visibility — the conversations stop being fights and start being just… teamwork.

If you’re anything like I was — whether you’re making a lot or just getting by — and you’re constantly wondering where your money is going, you’re not alone. You don’t need to feel shame. You just need a plan. Start small. Get clarity. And if you want a tool that was built by someone who’s been through the mess and figured out how to get back on track, check out TheZeroBasedBudget.com.