Step by Step – How to Start Budgeting with The Happy Giraffe Method
Our system isn’t like a typical budget, and that’s a good thing for you!
We help you plan ahead and focus on one weekly number. That shift makes your day-to-day spending feel simpler, smarter, and easier to manage, even if it feels unfamiliar at first.
This guide will walk you through everything step by step, whether you’re using the spreadsheet or the app.
Understand the Big Picture Before You Jump In
Instead of budgeting by category or having to start over every month, The Happy Giraffe budget keeps things simple by focusing on just a few key things:
- Setting up your budget once (using a 2-year forecast)
- Creating a customized weekly spending amount (your Happy Money)
- Tracking that one number
That’s it! The result? Less stress, fewer decisions, and more confidence that you’re actually okay (now and in the future)!
Step 1: Download the Tool That Does the Math for You
The spreadsheet (or the app, coming soon!) is the heart of The Happy Giraffe budgeting system, and it’s already set up for you. All you need to do is enter your income and fixed expenses once, and it will show you how much you can safely spend each week.
We call that weekly spending amount your Happy Money, and it’s the only number you’ll need to focus on going forward.
You’ll also see a full 2-year cash flow forecast, so you’ll know whether your budget actually works for your specific situation (not just this month, but long term).
No categories. No monthly resets. Just clear, confident direction.
(Opens in a new tab so you can come right back here to keep going!)
Step 2: Enter Your Income and Bills
This part is simple, but it’s also where most people bring old budgeting habits with them.
Here’s what to enter in this step:
- Only include dependable income. If you’re guessing, estimate low. If it’s not something you can count on (like bonuses or gifts), leave it out for now.
- Only include fixed expenses. These are bills that happen on a regular schedule: rent, insurance, subscriptions, etc. If you’re unsure about an amount, estimate high.
- Don’t add categories like groceries or gas. We’ll handle those differently using your weekly spending amount (Happy Money) in the next step.
Once your income and bills are in, the spreadsheet will forecast everything for the next 2 years, and that’s where the real magic starts!
Here is where you enter your income, the amount, and frequency.
This is where you enter your regular monthly bills like rent, utilities, or internet.
Step 3: Use the 3 Checks to Find Your Happy Money
Once your income and bills are entered, the spreadsheet (or app) does the heavy lifting for you!
You’ll see three simple checks that show if your plan works. They summarize everything happening in your two-year forecast so you don’t have to analyze all the details yourself.
Here’s what each check means:
- Over / Under Spending – Shows whether you’re living within your means each week. A positive number means you’re underspending (you could increase your Happy Money), and a negative number means you’re overspending (you’ll need to lower it).
- Number of Negative Days – Tells you how many days in the next two years your balance will drop below zero. Ideally you want your negative days number to be zero.
- Lowest Balance – Shows the lowest your account will go over the next two years. If this stays positive, your budget is solid!
Your goal is to increase your weekly Happy Money amount until your Over/Under Spending number is close to zero and your Lowest Balance stays positive. That’s the sweet spot; your real-life budget, balanced for both now and the future!
Step 4: Track Your Weekly Spending
Once you’ve found your Happy Money (your weekly spending amount) all you need to do is track that one number! No categories, just keep a running total of what you spend to make sure you stay within your weekly limit.
You can use:
- A simple notes app
- A free app like GoodBudget
- Pen and paper
- Or soon… The Happy Giraffe budgeting app, built specifically for this system!
Use whatever method helps you keep a running total during the week. As long as you stay within your Happy Money, everything else has already been taken care of!
What tracking looks like in real life:
You start the week with $140 of Happy Money.
Monday: $4 coffee
Tuesday: $42 groceries
Wednesday: $18 gas
Thursday: $12 lunch out
Running total: $76
That means you’ve got $64 left for the rest of the week. Simple! No categories. No complicated math. Just one number to watch.
Step 5: Notice What Changes (and Keep Going)
This is where the budgeting part starts to feel happy. With your weekly allowance in place, you’ll begin to see your money (and your choices) in a whole new way.
Each week gives you a short, fresh chance to learn from what happened and make small adjustments.
- If you spent less than your Happy Money, you can roll it forward or move it to savings.
- If you went over, take a moment to see why. Was it a one-time thing, or something you might want to plan for next time?
You’ll start to notice patterns: what really matters to you, what doesn’t, and how good it feels to know you have a plan that actually works. A weekly rhythm keeps budgeting from feeling overwhelming and helps you make confident choices again and again.
You’re not aiming for perfection, just progress. And every week, you’ll get a little better at it!
You’ve Got This! (and We’re Here if You Need Help)
If you ever have questions or just want someone to point you in the right direction, reach out anytime. We love hearing from you!
Or explore more ways to learn and live your happy budget:
