Here’s a simple guide: 6 easy steps to budget with an irregular income:

1. Write down your income… based on your lowest month in the last 6 months.
2. List out your expenses… start with the “keep me alive” ones first!
3. Subtract your expenses from your income… go for a zero-based budget.
4. Track your expenses… yes, ALL month long. No cheating!
5. Adjust your budget… every time you get paid.
6. Create a new budget… before the new month kicks off.

Now let’s dig into how to really do this thing!

1. List Your Income – Aim Low, Not High

First up, write down how much money you expect to make this month. Not your best month ever—pick the lowest you made in the past six months.

Why? Because it’s better to plan small and have extra, than to plan big and come up short (trust me, that’s a whole mess). Look back at your past paychecks. What’s the lowest you earned recently? Start with that number.

And hey, if you’re new to all this, just estimate your lowest month. You’ll get better at it as you go!

2. List Your Expenses – Essentials Come First

Next, jot down where your money needs to go. The order here matters—a LOT, especially when your income’s unpredictable.

Here’s how you should prioritize:

• Basic needs first: Food, rent/mortgage, lights, gas.
• Other important stuff: Insurance, debt payments, daycare, etc.
• Savings and debt payoff: Gotta build that emergency fund or knock out those loans.
• Nonessential stuff: Netflix, Starbucks runs, shopping sprees—you know, the “nice but not necessary” things.

If money’s tight some months, you’ll know exactly where you can cut back (bye-bye, fancy lattes—for now).

3. Subtract Expenses From Income – Hello, Zero-Based Budget
Now do some quick math: income minus expenses. Your goal? A zero-based budget. That means every dollar gets a job. Saving, paying bills, knocking out debt—it all needs a purpose.

Important: Zero-based doesn’t mean you leave your account with $0! Always keep a little cushion ($100–$300 is smart).

Pro Tip: If you have extra left over (yay you, woop woop!), throw it at your debt, savings, or investments. If you’re short, cut back on the nonessentials until your budget balances.

No drama needed—just adjust and keep it moving!

4. Track Your Expenses – All Month, Baby

Budgeting tells your money where to go. Tracking tells you if it actually went there.

Every time you spend, log it. Yup, every. single. time. Hello?

Use an app, use a notebook, carve it into stone—whatever works for you.

Tracking helps you stay honest with yourself and keeps you from blowing through your budget halfway through the month (oops). And don’t forget to log any extra money you make, too. Especially with irregular income, you need to know exactly what’s coming in and going out.

5. Adjust Every Paycheck

When your income’s unpredictable, flexibility is key.

Every time you get paid, update your budget. Made more than you expected? 🎉 High five! Woop Woop! Let’s Go!!!

Okay, focus, Yara… FO’ CUS!

Now, the extra? Add it to your budget and give those dollars a job.

Didn’t make as much? It’s a’okay! Adjust. Cut back on some nonessentials, that’s it… simple!

The more you stay on top of it, the more in control you’ll feel.

6. Make a New Budget Each Month

News flash: Budgeting isn’t a “set it and forget it” thing.

You gotta make a new plan each month because life changes. And sometimes it throws curveballs the size of meteors… you know what I’m talking about.

Copy over last month’s budget, tweak it for anything new—like birthdays, car repairs, back-to-school shopping—and always budget before the month starts so you’re ahead of the game, not playing catch-up.

Bonus Tip: Download a free budgeting app. It’ll help you track everything right from your phone and keep you on point. Easy peasy!

Here’s the Real Deal…

Managing irregular income isn’t impossible—it just takes some planning, flexibility, and a whole lotta you got this attitude.

Budgeting gives you the power to take control of your money, no matter what your paycheck looks like.

And guess what? You don’t have to do it alone.

We can help you create a personalized financial game plan that fits your life and your dreams.

It’s time to take control and start winning with your money—for real?

Reach out to us for personal financial coaching today. Let’s build your best financial life, one budget at a time💰