I started my first budget after graduating from college. I wish I could say it was because I was financially responsible and trying to be proactive with my money, but the truth was I was drowning in student loan debt. I needed a way to help me track the little income I had and the lot of expenses I saw hitting my bank account each month. Fast forward ten years, and I’m still using a budget to track my monthly income and expenses even though I’ve since paid off that debt. Why, you might ask? Because budgets work. SPONSORED BY / ONEKIND The (FREE) Skincare Product That's Saving Our Editor's Skin This Fall just use code EVERYGIRL CLICK TO SHOP How To Budget for Beginners A common misconception is that maintaining a budget equals restriction. But the truth is budgeting allows you to spend money on the things you care about (aka value-based budgeting). Tracking your income and expenses each month or pay period gives you a better understanding of where your money is