Let’s be honest, sticking to a budget is sometimes kind of like trying to keep a toddler clean during spaghetti night. You try, but life is messy. 

So many people think budgeting is something you set once and leave alone. In actuality, budgeting is more like a sourdough starter. You’ve got to check in, stir things up a little, and feed it regularly or it falls apart fast.

Instead of waiting for the end of the month to wonder where all the money went, I highly recommend doing a simple 5-minute budget check-in every week. It just might completely change how you handle money...and it’s so simple! 

Here are the six questions I recommend asking at the end of each week to keep your budget on track:

1. What Worked This Week?

Let’s start with the good stuff. Did you stick to your grocery budget? Actually skip the drive-thru? Pack lunches three times instead of eating out at work? Even if your big goal is to pay off debt or save $1,000, the little wins count. For whatever went right: notice it, name it, and acknowledge the win.

2. What Didn’t Work?

This part isn’t for shaming yourself. It’s for learning. Did you blow the takeout budget on Wednesday because you forgot to meal prep? Did you “accidentally” walk into Target and unintentionally spend $67 on things you didn’t really need? This awareness is key! Now, you can plan in advance OR budget for it. Boom. Problem solved!

SIMPLE PRACTICE JUST MIGHT HELP YOU GO FROM "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING" TO "I'VE GOT THIS. I HAVE A PLAN.

3. What Do I Want to Change?

This is where the magic happens. Maybe your Dining Out budget needs more wiggle room. Maybe you didn’t track things well this week because life felt crazy.

Ask yourself: What could I change next week to feel more prepared or in control? Sometimes the answer is simple, like setting a phone reminder to log receipts. Sometimes it’s deeper, like realizing your budget doesn’t match your real life and needs a total refresh. Either way, there’s always something you can adjust.

4. What Surprised Me?

Did something cost more than expected? Did you get a refund you forgot about? Was the electric bill way lower thanks to cooler weather? Surprises are little gifts of insight...even the frustrating ones.

5. Was I Over Budget Anywhere?

If you went over your budget, ask yourself: Was this a one-time thing, or is it happening often?

If it’s a pattern (like groceries being $50 over every week), it might be time to either adjust the budget, adjust your spending habits, or both!

Either way, don’t beat yourself up. This is just helpful information. Think of your budget like a GPS: if you take a wrong turn, it just recalculates. It doesn’t call you irresponsible.

6. Any “Aha” Moments?

Sometimes during this check-in, you might discover something big about your money mindset. Maybe you are noticing how calm you feel and you realized it’s because you’ve been planning ahead and saving for upcoming bills. 

Those little lightbulb moments are powerful. They help you understand yourself and build better habits that actually stick.

Weekly Check-Ins = Real Budget Confidence 

This simple practice just might help you go from “I have no idea what I’m doing” to “I’ve got this. I have a plan. And I’m living in a way that lines up with my values and priorities!”

So this weekend, grab your planner, a sticky note, or even just the Notes app on your phone. Set a 5-minute reminder and ask yourself these six questions. You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a willingness to check in, to learn from what has happened, to make some small tweaks, and to try again next week. 

Because every little step matters.

Find more practical financial advice from Crystal at MoneySavingMom.com.

This article was published in our Faithful Steward magazine, a quarterly publication filled with encouraging stories, biblical teaching, and practical tools to help you grow as a wise and joyful giver. If you'd like to begin receiving Faithful Steward, consider becoming a FaithFi partner.