After talking to several friends and family, it seems we’re not the only ones feeling a bit of pain in the pocketbook. Holiday season 2013, is going to be a bit lean for us and others. Which is why I thought it would be the perfect time to be the “Debbie Downer” of the Black Friday buzz. Why? Because of our recent vacation views like these… (Which really keep us centered and remind us of the importance of celebrating the holidays with family and friends, is more important than the stuff.) 

Also having our second water heater blow up, and new car brakes will keep a person very budget conscious. Budgets are something I love! Friends sometimes tease us about our OCD tendencies and the mysterious “budget” we refer to. Yet  budgets work, and we thought it might be useful to others out there experiencing a lean Holiday season. Also a great way to kick off our Busy People series, starting with the Busy Budgeter…So here it is…

Free_printables_mini_monthly_budget_sheets_assets_liabilities_tracker

(I’ve taken our spreadsheets and turned them into a handy mini budget binder!) Aren’t you just as excited as we are?!

Not to be left out, we included the Assets and Liabilities tracker (Forgive the financial lingo) as the second page to the monthly budget printable. Also here is the newest edition…A spending journal (I started paying for the personal and grocery expenses with cash and an envelope system) and we needed a place to track all the details. Luckily Sarah at the Accidental Okie has a lovely budget system (seriously she makes budgeting so stylish), and we need to give her full credit for the inspiration of my mini spending journal. 

free mini spending tracker and journal sheets

Basically all the sheets are sized to fit a 1 inch 5×8 binder. I use the Avery pocket binder with the built in folder/pocket to store my cash envelope system, receipts and pens.

Also the 5×8 size allows me to easily store the binder away in the purse so I can always budget on the go.

Each sheet is separated by a divider: Monthly Budget, Assets Sheet, Liabilities Sheet, and Spending Journal. Just fold and cut the sheets in half for each one, and three hole punch for the binder.

I even found some plastic protectors for my coupons and mini binder paper for brainstorming weekly meal plans and grocery lists. (I’m not nearly as organized with my meal planning yet because of a new diet)

We hope you find our system useful and that I didn’t completely kill your Black Friday Buzz. However as sneak peek for next Sunday’s post we have a couple follow up posts for our Busy People Series…Have a safe, fun and budget friendly Thanksgiving from us and the pups!