Budgeting 101: Building a Plan that Honors Your Future (and Your Faith)

If you’ve ever felt like your money is controlling you instead of the other way around—you’re not alone. Personal finance can feel overwhelming, especially when no one teaches you how to build a real-world budget that actually fits your life. 

The good news? Creating a simple, flexible budget isn’t just doable—it’s one of the best ways to step into financial freedom with confidence and peace.

As a Christian financial coach, I believe budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about stewardship. It’s about managing the blessings God has entrusted to us with purpose, joy, and a clear plan. 

And the best part? You don’t have to be perfect to start. You just have to start.

Let’s break down the basics...

1. Start With Your Income

Before you can plan where your money should go, you need to know how much you’re working with. This is your income—the money you bring home after taxes. If you’re working multiple jobs, freelancing, or side hustling, make sure to list all your income sources.

Knowing your true monthly income is like knowing how much paint you have before you start decorating a room—you can’t make a plan without it!

2. Plan for Regular and Irregular Spending

Next up: expenses. Your budget should cover both regular and irregular spending.

Regular expenses are the bills and costs that show up like clockwork—rent, utilities, groceries, car payments, subscriptions, gas. You can predict these and plan for them easily.

Irregular expenses are the sneaky ones that can throw you off track—things like birthdays, holiday gifts, car repairs, medical co-pays, or yearly insurance premiums. Just because they don’t happen monthly doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be in your budget! One helpful tip: create small “sinking funds,” or mini savings buckets, to prepare for these ahead of time.

When you budget for both the predictable and the unexpected, you start to remove financial stress before it even starts. (Yes, it feels as good as it sounds.)

3. Don’t Forget to Plan for Giving

As believers, giving isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a priority. Whether it’s tithing to your church or giving generously to ministries and causes you love, setting aside money for giving is a way to honor God with your finances.

When you put giving right into your budget from the start, it becomes a natural part of your life rhythm, not a stressful “if there’s anything left” moment at the end of the month. 

Trust me: when you give first, it changes your heart—and your finances—in amazing ways.

Ready to Get Started?

• Clarify Your Goals: Do you want to get your credit card spending under control? Do you want to pay off your student loans? Do you have a big vacation to budget for?
• Pull Up Those Pay Stubs: Make a list of all your income sources
• Assess the Statements: Go through your debit/credit statements and separate your transactions by regular and irregular spending
• Wants versus Needs: Identify areas you could trim to align yourself with your goals
• Lift it Up: Pray about how much to give on a regular basis

Final Encouragement

If budgeting still sounds intimidating, know this: you’re not called to be perfect—you’re called to be faithful. 

You don’t need a flawless spreadsheet or color-coded apps to be a good steward. You just need a simple plan that reflects your goals, your values, and your faith.

Start small. Adjust as you go. Give yourself grace.
And remember: every dollar you manage wisely is a step toward the life—and the legacy—you’re called to build.

You've got this. And if you need a little guidance along the way, The Bridge is here to help. Check out Where Your Treasure Is: Bible Study & Workbook for a step-by-step guide to budgeting—worksheets included—or book a free consulting call with me today.