Budgeting 101: Paano Ba Talaga Mag-Budget? (With a Little Help From ChatGPT + Your Favorite Tita Raketera Tools)

Real talk?
I used to think budgeting was only for people who had extra money.

Ako? Freelance income. Walang fixed sweldo. May mga buwang okay, may mga buwang... tiis-tiis lang talaga.

And honestly, even as someone who teaches personal finance, I still get overwhelmed, especially kapag sabay-sabay na ang income gaps, adulting bills, at life goals.

Pero ayun na nga. Na-discover ko ang lazy girl hack. And now, I'm sharing it with you. 🙈

Yup, you read that right.

Kung tinatamad ka mag-Excel or gumawa ng spreadsheet from scratch, try this:

📌 Just type something like:

Subukan mo lang. You'll be surprised.

I tested this out of curiosity. And you know what? Maganda ‘yung suggestions.
Sure, may konting tweaks needed (di naman niya alam na minsan delayed ang bayad ni client😅), pero it gives you a starting point.

And when you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, a starting point is already a big win.

Here’s what I personally use:

The 6-Jar Method by T. Harv Eker — but modified to fit my lifestyle.

💡 Quick breakdown:

I don’t track every peso. I automate transfers when possible. Less stress, more structure.

This system helps me save for trips, grow my investments, and still enjoy kape adventures and the occasional Shopee budol. 😉

Budgeting is not about saying no to fun — it’s about saying YES to peace.

It’s not about cutting joy, it’s about adding intention.
You're not depriving yourself, you're directing your money.

Kahit maliit pa income mo, budgeting helps you stretch and maximize it. Because small wins, when consistent, create big peace.

Here’s the exact prompt I tried:

📝

“I’m __ years old, earning ₱_____/month in the Philippines. My total expenses are around ₱_____. I currently have ₱_____ in emergency fund, ₱_____ life insurance coverage, and ₱_____ savings. Create a personalized budget and financial plan so I can retire comfortably at 60. Note that I'm also saving up for _______ worth ₱_____ by (date).”

Try it, tweak it, and see what works for you.

You can also explore these free tools:

✅ Free 90-Day Financial Planner (Beta Test Access)
✅ Master Your Money Workbook
✅ 1:1 Financial Planning Session with Me (No pressure, promise!)

I know budgeting can feel intimidating... lalo na kung feeling mo wala ka namang masyadong i-budget.

But here’s the truth:

Even just looking at your money is already a power move.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start. Let ChatGPT guide you. Let your planner ground you. Let your small habits bring big peace.

You got this.

And if ever you need help? I’m just a message away. 💛