You’ll learn 

• How to organize your finances in one place
• How to use a “Zero-based budget” to quickly find out your cash flow

Why we like zero-based budgeting

• It helps you see what you’re actually spending your money on vs. what you wish you were spending your money on
• It can help you make room for your goals (like saving and investing) by adding them as a line item in your budget
• It’s an easy first step to figuring out how much money you really have to play with each month

How to get the most out of this PDF guide + spreadsheet template:

Go to the tab labeled “Zero-based budget” and try making a rough draft of your monthly income and expenses. Don’t get too hung up on any single expense, for example, if you don’t know your grocery budget – just guess!

At the end of the exercise, you’ll be able to check in with yourself and gauge how accurate this version of your monthly budget is.

For example, if you feel like you never have money left over at the end of the month, but your budget says you have $500 that hasn’t been allocated to a specific expense or goal, you need to start tracking your spending! Track your spending for a few weeks, return to this exercise, duplicate the tab, and try again. We recommend manually tracking your spending in a spreadsheet, phone, or notebook or trying out a personal finance app like Mint.

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach.

You’ll learn 

• How to use our bucket table to build on your zero-based budget
• How to easily group expenses by buckets to make managing your money on payday less stressful

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between the debt snowball method and avalanche method for debt payoff
• Additional options available for those with good credit

How to get the most out of this PDF guide + spreadsheet template:

Review the different strategies available to you to pay off your debt and choose the method that will work best for you. Please note that the strategies will require you to make extra payments to your debt to see progress. We typically suggest making additional payments to one debt at a time.

Continue to make ALL of your minimum payments on time and in full each month to maintain good standing. If you can’t make your payments, you must proactively contact your creditors as soon as possible. Make every effort possible not to miss payments.

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

You’ll learn:

• The factors that affect your credit score
• Strategies to improve, maintain, or optimize your credit score

How to get the most out of this PDF guide:

Review the factors that impact your credit score. Next, access your credit score through your bank or credit card provider or through a third-party website like Credit Karma (We highly recommend checking with your bank or credit union for access to your credit score first!).

Begin monitoring your credit score. Resolve to make all minimum payments on time and in full. Keep credit utilization below 10%.

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

You’ll learn:

• What it means to save and invest for retirement
• How to estimate the nest egg you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle in retirement

How to get the most out of this PDF guide + spreadsheet template:

Read through the PDF guide to get an overview of what it means to save and invest for retirement. In general, Americans are not saving enough for retirement with each paycheck. Increase your contribution by 1% today and create a plan to increase the amount you’re saving over time. Your goal is to build a nest egg that will allow you to maintain your standard of living in retirement. Everyone will have a different number that allows them to do that. However, most advisors recommend folks aim to save one million or more for retirement. The younger you are, the more likely you will need a million plus. Focus on saving and investing as much as you can comfortably afford.

This guide is not investment advice. Please speak with an appropriately licensed financial advisor for specific investing questions. We recommend meeting with a fiduciary financial planner to work on a retirement plan that’s catered to your needs. The closer you are to retirement, the more highly we suggest meeting with a fiduciary financial planner.  Look into Garrett Planning Network, X Y Planning Network, or the CFP site ‘Let’s Make A Plan.’

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

How to get the most out of this PDF guide

Answer the reflection questions at your own pace. Start to cultivate more awareness around how you use your money to spend, save, borrow, and plan for the future. Make tweaks to your behavior to align your spending with your values and goals.

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

Goals covered:

• Emergency Funds (Peace of Mind Funds)
• Debt
• Credit
• Retirement
• Sinking Funds 

How to get the most out of this PDF guide:

Review the checklist provided to see where you’re at with your financial goals.

Start with small, manageable goals!

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

You’ll learn:

• How lenders determine what you can afford
• How to optimize your credit to get the best rates
• How to save for your down payment
• Questions to ask a potential real-estate agent

How to get the most out of this PDF guide:

Review the steps in the home buying process and start to prepare your finances as soon as possible.  You don’t need a 20% down payment to secure a mortgage. 

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

You’ll learn:

• How  to develop a savings habit
• How to develop a tracking and analysis habit
• How to use analysis to develop custom habits unique to you, your lifestyle, and your goals
• Key elements of good behavior design

How to get the most out of this PDF guide:

Review the ideas and action items in this guide to help you create financial habits that align with your goals and values. Good financial habits can be the difference between an okay relationship with money and a great one. 

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach. 

You’ll learn:

• How to plan low-cost events to look forward to
• How to recognize strategies retailers use to get you to buy
• How to determine if something is a good deal
• Reflection exercises to reframe gift-giving

How to get the most out of this PDF guide:

Use this guide to prepare for the holiday season before overwhelm kicks in. Create realistic plans to reduce overspending, increase joy, and breathe a sigh of relief this holiday season.

For additional guidance and support in getting your finances on track, please schedule a call with a HoneyBee financial coach.