Create Your First Budget
Learn how to create a zero-based budget that gives every penny a purpose. This step-by-step guide will help you build your first budget in CashCat.
Calculate Your Monthly Income
Start by determining your total monthly inflow to your bank accounts. Include all sources like salary, any freelance work, and side hustles. This will be your starting point to your monthly budget.
Create Budget Categories
Set up categories for your expenses like housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. You can group related categories together.
Learn about recommended Categories & GroupsAssign Every Penny
Allocate your entire income to categories until you reach zero. Remember: Income minus expenses should equal zero.
Learn Zero-Based BudgetingStart Tracking
Begin recording your transactions and assign them to your budget categories. Monitor your progress throughout the month.
Go to Budget💡 First Budget Tips
- Your first budget won't be perfect - adjust as you learn your spending patterns
- Include a "miscellaneous" category for unexpected small expenses
- Budget for fun money - being too restrictive can lead to budget failure
Next Steps
Now that you have your first budget, here's what to do next: