Budgeting With An Irregular Income

Whether you work in a tip-based or a hustle-based profession, unpredictable income is a pain in the butt. Should you still budget? Can you still budget? Of course! It's so easy to get stuck in a cycle of paying off your debt when you're flush and relying on credit cards when you're broke. A budget will help you with that. But first, you have to get real.

Not that real

Talking About Money

This is absolutely not what I mean

Most of us were raised to understand that we don't talk about money in mixed company. But why? My friends and I talk about everything (everything!) with each other. I know when they lost their virginity, how they feel about their mother-in-law, and what size shoes they wear. 

Saving Money

Saving money is hard, there is no doubt about that. Spending money is easy. SO EASY. Why is it so easy?? Just an "I deserve this!" here and a little "one won't hurt" there and before you know it, you're afraid to check your bank balance. How are you supposed to save when you like to spend? 

It's tricky, but not impossible. 

Building an Emergency Fund

When struggling to get a grip on your finances it is SO SO important to set up an emergency fund. The amount of money that's right for you will depend on your situation, but typically enough money to cover three months of expenses will do. You'll also need a smaller fund to keep the little emergencies away. This smaller fund is how you'll stop using your credit cards and the bigger fund will save your ass in a dire situation. 

Your emergency funds will keep your sticky little hands off the credit cards while you pay them down. 

So how do you save up an emergency fund (or two)?