What Makes The Happy Giraffe Budgeting Method So Different?
This isn’t your typical budget! Most budgeting systems expect you to track every category, update spreadsheets constantly, and still leave you feeling behind at the end of the month.
We rebuilt the whole process from the ground up! So you can set it up once, track just one number each week (your Happy Money), and forget the rest!
And because we’re a nonprofit, it’s all completely free! No fees. No upselling. Just a simple system built to help real people feel better about their money.
If Budgeting Has Never Worked for You… That’s Not Your Fault
Almost every budgeting method you’ll find is based on the same old process that’s been around forever. Whether it’s called zero-sum, envelope, 50/30/20, value-based, or needs vs. wants – it’s all just a new name for the same broken system.
Changing categories or rearranging boxes doesn’t fix the real issue. The underlying process is what needs to change. That’s why we didn’t just tweak the traditional budget, we built a completely different method.
How We Keep Budgeting Simple, Empowering, and Happier
The Happy Giraffe Budget isn’t built on categories or constant reconciling. Instead, you’ll use just three things:
- Setup → a simple spreadsheet to get started
- Insight → a clear view of your next two years
- Action → one weekly number (your Happy Money) to guide your spending going forward
That’s it. These three pieces work together to keep you on track, confident, and living the life you want!
Made for people who don’t LOVE spreadsheets. Simple step-by-step directions walk you through it once, and that’s it! No monthly updates needed.
See Your New
2-Year Future
See every detail, day by day, so you can plan ahead with a bigger perspective than you ever imagined!
A Simple Weekly Allowance
One number to hit.
A short time frame.
No categories or guilt.
Spend however you want.
Real People Are Budgeting Happier
These are real stories from real people who’ve tried other budgets, felt stuck, and finally found something that worked.
The Happy Giraffe Budget is different, and it’s working for families, individuals, couples, and people in all kinds of financial situations.
Sue, Canada
“After reading your book, I see it! I get it! And I’m excited to start our budget! I cannot begin to tell you how empowered I feel about our finances! I wish I had your book 30 years ago!”
Rene, Florida
“We are doing awesome with this new budget! I have been so impressed by how simple budgeting has become. No more categories or intense tracking! This will be my life-long method for budgeting from now on!”
How It Compares to a Typical Budget
Typical Budget | The Happy Giraffe Budget |
Monthly fees for some | FREE to use! |
Countless categories | One target |
Look forward one month | Look forward 2 years! |
Difficult to manage | Simple to live |
Time consuming | Fast |
No giraffes | Giraffes included! |
Complex spreadsheets | Simple spreadsheet. Step by step directions. |
Constantly updating spreadsheets | Once and you’re done! |
Money needs to last a whole month | Take it one week at a time |
Monthly reconciliation sessions | That sounds awful |
Complicated, detailed tracking | Quick tracking with a clear purpose |
Try It for Yourself!
The next step is simple: download the free spreadsheet and try it for yourself! You don’t need to have it all figured out right away. Just start where you are.
And if you ever have questions or need help, you can email us anytime at Hello@HappyGiraffe.org. We’re always happy to help.
In Case You Need Even More Reasons to Love Our Budgeting System…
FREE!
Yes, it’s completely free to learn how our system works! We never liked how much other budgeting programs charge just to teach you the basics. People who are already trying to use their money better shouldn’t have to pay big fees to do it.
That’s why we set up The Happy Giraffe as a nonprofit (we’re a registered 501(c)(3) in the USA). If you’re looking for help with your budget, this is a time to get support, not a sales pitch.
We do sell our book on Amazon. It’s $15 (the lowest price we could make it). You don’t have to read it to use our system, but it’s a great way to understand why the budgeting system works and to see the heart behind it all.
And we promise, it’s not your typical finance book! The first chapter is told like a children’s story, complete with pictures, so it’s fun and easy to follow from start to finish!
Simple, Super Simple
Most budgets say they’re simple… but they’re really not. We get it, you probably don’t love spreadsheets or checking your bank account every day. That’s totally normal!
With The Happy Giraffe, there’s none of that!
No highlighters, no printouts, no monthly resets, no receipt piles, no envelopes, no guilt.
You’ll track one single number each week. That’s it! No confusing categories. No complicated formulas. Just one number that helps you stay on track and spend on what actually makes you happy.
Made for Regular People
Everyone who earns money needs a way to budget, but not everyone wants to become a spreadsheet pro. Most of us don’t have thirty minutes a day to track every little thing. You already have a life to live, and your budget shouldn’t take it over.
Our system keeps things simple: it just makes sure you’re not spending more than you earn. That’s it! A few minutes each week is all you need to stay on track and feel good about where your money’s going.
Focus on Happiness
Did you almost feel a little panicked just hearing the word “budget”? We did too. Most budgeting systems focus on cutting, restricting, and saying no. They come with endless tips for how to “easily” stop spending on the things you actually enjoy.
At The Happy Giraffe, our motto is Budget Happy! You deserve to spend money on what truly makes you happy, even if it looks wasteful to someone else.
And the process of budgeting should feel good too! Creating your plan and living within it can actually be a positive, encouraging experience (we promise).
Giraffes
Giraffes are awesome! That’s no secret! We built our book and our whole budgeting system around this wonderful animal because we wanted a fresh perspective. The budgeting world could use a little more height, heart, and happiness, don’t you think?
Did you know a group of giraffes is called a tower? We love that! It’s such a great image for what we’re trying to do: help people stand tall together.
And just for fun:
- Baby giraffes can walk within an hour of being born!
- Their back legs only look shorter than their front ones, but they’re actually about the same length.
Pretty amazing, right?!
Empowering
This system can completely transform your relationship with money. It’s not in charge anymore. You are!
That feeling of empowerment doesn’t come from earning more or joining hustle culture. It comes from taking charge of what you already have and telling your money where to go.
You’ve always had the power to make change happen! We’ll simply show you how to use it.
One Number to Hit
Do you know how many categories an average budget has? Too many!
We’ll help you simplify it all down to one number, your Happy Money. That’s the only thing you need to track each week!
No juggling endless categories or overthinking every purchase. Just one clear number that keeps you on track and lets you focus on what really matters.
Weekly
You’ve been there: halfway through the month and your budget’s already gone. That’s not your fault! A month is just too long to make spending decisions feel clear or consistent.
With The Happy Giraffe, you’ll focus on one number, one week at a time. It makes so much more sense and actually works in real life.
You’re going to love how much better it feels to budget with The Happy Giraffe!
Flexible
Unexpected field trip? Sale on those shoes you’ve been eyeing? Friends inviting you out last minute?
Life is full of surprises you can’t plan for a month ahead. That’s why our system works week by week, with just one number, your Happy Money, so you can adjust whenever you need to.
Spend a little more on gas this week or enjoy dinner out next week. You’re still in control, and we’ll help you stay ready for whatever life brings your way!
Spend the Way YOU Want
Avocado toast? Starbucks five times a week? Concerts? Collectible antiques? Go for it!
Your money should reflect what makes you happy, not what someone else thinks is “reasonable.” It doesn’t matter if your choices look wasteful to others. They don’t live your life, and they don’t get to decide how you spend.
Your budget is about you. Spend it on what brings you joy! In fact, we encourage it!
