How To Build A Budget On A Bar Napkin

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I like Bars. Airport bars, hotel bars, restaurants with bars, bars with bars! Don’t judge!

Sitting at the bar connects with me great people and I have the best conversations. For example, I recently met a new client at a restaurant and we chose to sit that the bar. As we were talking, my client was sharing how challenging it was for her to create and stick to a budget.

“It’s so complicated and every month I don’t even come close to what I write down. So, I just quit.” she explained.

As I sipped my favorite drink, I calmly said …

“There are many things you should quit, like overspending, getting into more debt, maybe even that man you’re with. However, taking control of your money is not something you should quit. It is something you must Master.”

I went on to share with her that it is understandable to want to quit something that seems complicated and that building a budget can be, and is actually, very simple.

I saw the look of disbelief and skepticism wash over her face. So, I said …

“Here, let me show you.”

I asked the bartender for a bar napkin and wrote down a simple Spending Plan (Budget) and explained the idea percentage of her income she should spend in each category. I shared that she just needed to start where she was and understand what her spending actually looks like in those categories.

“That’s it?” she ask in amazement.

“That’s it!” I responded and took another sip of my drink.

The bartender stood across from us behind the bar and watch what I was doing.

“Will that work for me too?” he asked.

I nodded and smiled as he grabbed another bar napkin and copied the information I wrote for my client.

If you, or someone you know, likes the bar like more OR just need a simple way to create a simple Spending Plan, click here to get a copy of my Bar Napkin Budget template for FREE!