How I Budget on a Bakery Paycheck and Still Saved $1,000 (Without Losing My Mind)

Let’s be real: budgeting with a fixed income in a world where eggs cost more than my first car isn’t exactly glamorous. The grocery store feels like a high-stakes game show sometimes, and I’m over here wondering if kale will ever be affordable again. But I’ve made peace with it — and found a way to make it work for my family, my future, and yes… for my occasional Lululemon moment (because we all deserve to look cute while we hustle).

The Budget Breakdown: Simple but Strict(ish)

Our budget isn’t complicated—it’s more like “organized chaos with a plan.” We keep clear categories, because trying to track every penny without them.

That’s a recipe for tears (and wine).

• Groceries (aka feeding the beast that is our child’s snack appetite—why does she need so many Goldfish crackers?)

• Entertainment (family outings, the odd movie night, and yes, the occasional spontaneous ice cream treat)

• Our kiddo (clothes, school supplies, those “can I pleaaaase” moments that make me question my resolve)

• My husband and I (because adults need treats too—whether it’s a coffee date or a sneaky pastry from the bakery I work)

• The cat (he lives here rent-free but not food-free, and honestly, his health is important too)

Some months, we hit our targets like budgeting superheroes. Other months? Life happens. The washer breaks down, a friend throws a surprise birthday party, or I blink and somehow $80 vanishes at the pharmacy. But overall, we keep things balanced enough to avoid those panic calls to my husband asking, “Did we spend that much on toothpaste?”

Automate. Everything.

If there’s one budgeting hack I swear by, it’s automation. I don’t micromanage my money every single week — that’s a fast track to burnout. Instead, every payday, my bank splits my paycheck like a trained assistant, handling the heavy lifting so I don’t have to:

• 1% goes into a dedicated trip savings account (hello, Mexico trip fund!)

• Fixed amounts cover bills, credit cards, and groceries

• A little nest egg grows in an investment account (because I want my money to work as hard as I do)

• And yes, I keep a “household surprises” stash, because random chaos has a funny way of costing money

My Sneaky Savings System

This year, I’ve been testing out a “set it and forget it” challenge—and it’s working surprisingly well. My bank app offers a couple of brilliant tools that do the saving for me:

• The 52-Week Challenge: Each week, I auto-save a slightly bigger amount than the week before. It starts small and sneaks up on you—before you know it, you’ve saved a chunk without a single missed latte.

• Round-Up Savings: Every time I use my card, it rounds up to the nearest dollar and tucks the spare change into savings. So if I spend $21.01? Boom. $0.99 goes to savings without me lifting a finger.

The result so far? Over $1,000 saved in under 6 months, with zero stress. My goal is to hit $3,000 by year’s end — and that’s just from these small, steady automations.

Side Hustle? Save Hustle.

All income from my side gigs (banana bread biz, blog hustle) goes straight to savings for now. I’m planning a big deposit into my daughter’s education fund soon — a little financial love letter to her future self that says, “I got you, kiddo.”

Budgeting Without Guilt

Listen: I don’t feel guilty spending money on myself. I work hard. I mom hard. I deserve nice things sometimes. That might be a yoga top that makes me feel strong, or a fancy dinner with girlfriends where we forget we’re responsible adults for two hours. Because self-care isn’t selfish — it’s survival.

What I Refuse to Cheap Out On

Running gear. Full stop. Good shoes, breathable leggings, the stuff that keeps me moving when my brain wants to crash. I’d budget around it before I’d skimp on it. It’s an investment in my sanity (and my knees).

The Why: Mexico, Baby

This savings journey isn’t just about discipline — it’s about freedom. We’re dreaming of a two-week adventure through southern Mexico next year. Oaxaca and Chiapas, culture and tacos, sun and space to breathe as a family. That’s what I’m working for. That’s what makes the spreadsheet worth it.

Want My Budget Tracker?

I have a super simple spreadsheet I use to keep things on track — not a finance bro template, just something that works for a busy mom juggling a million things. If you want a copy, drop a comment or DM me! -Fabi