I’ve tried them all — Mint, YNAB, Goodbudget, spreadsheets, even Notion. But after years of app-hopping, I went back to basics: a $3 notebook and a cheap pen. And honestly? It’s the only method that’s actually stuck.

🧠 Here’s Why It Works

• ✅ Writing makes me think twice before spending
• ✅ No logins, subscriptions, or syncing errors
• ✅ I can track exactly what I want — nothing more

I use a simple page-per-week setup. Left side: planned spending. Right side: what I actually spent. I jot down notes like “ate out twice” or “car repair coming next week.” It’s part budget, part journal, part accountability partner.

📉 But Isn’t That Inefficient?

Honestly, no. Most people overspend not because they lack a fancy app — but because they lack attention. Writing things down forces awareness. And awareness = control.

✍️ Want to Try It?

• Grab a lined notebook or journal from Amazon or Target
• Use one page per week
• Track only 3–5 categories that matter (groceries, gas, fun, etc.)

Apps are fine. But if you’ve downloaded six and stuck with none, maybe the low-tech solution is your real power move.

For more realistic budgeting tools that don’t require a subscription, check out: Best Budgeting Tools for Broke Millennials.