Best Ways to Earn Extra Income in Your Free Time
No Filters: How I Manage My Monthly Budget
Transparency is a rare thing in the world of online finance, but since you’ve been following my journey at OIH for a while, I want to pull back the curtain. I’m not here to show you a curated version of my life – I’m showing you exactly where the money goes so you can see that financial stability isn’t about luck; it’s about a system.
The Breakdown: Where the Money Goes
I follow a modified “50/30/20” rule. It keeps things simple so I don’t have to spend hours in a spreadsheet every night.
- 50% for Essentials: This covers the “must-haves” – mortgage, utilities, groceries, and insurance. This is the foundation that keeps life running smoothly.
- 30% for Lifestyle & Growth: This is where my “spa fund” lives! I believe that if you don’t budget for joy, you’ll eventually burn out. This category also covers my professional tools and memberships that help me grow my income.
- 20% for the Future: This goes straight into savings and investments. I treat this like a bill I owe to my future self, it’s non-negotiable.
The “Spa Fund” Philosophy
You might have noticed me mentioning my end-of-month spa trips. To some, that looks like a luxury. To me, it’s a calculated reward. By using small pockets of spare time throughout the month to generate extra income, I specifically earmark those funds for self-care. It’s a closed loop: I work a little extra, and I get a tangible, relaxing reward for it. It keeps me motivated and prevents the “grind” from feeling like a chore.
Why I Track Everything
I finally sat down and looked at my numbers because you can’t manage what you don’t measure. When I stopped guessing and started tracking, I realized how much “leaky” spending I had – subscriptions I didn’t use or daily habits that didn’t actually bring me value.
Cutting that waste allowed me to reallocate my money toward things that actually matter: financial security and personal well-being..