Getting Back to Budgeting
Last night, I lived out one of my favorite realities: like-minded people gathered around a table having meaningful and fulfilling conversations. It reminded me why I love it so much.
Five ladies joined me in person and three joined online for our latest Dollar Date. Yes, it’s a thing. Look it up: #DollarDate (and it’ll probably lead you to one of my old videos lol). It’s the place where we talk about money, tithing, saving, budgeting, and A LOT of Bible.
Last night, they had more biblical questions than financial questions, and I loved every minute of it. Because for me, money has never really been just about money. It’s about stewardship.
And stewardship should be applied to all areas of our lives. Knowing that we are simply managers and not owners of all that the Lord gives us helps us become more disciplined. Ultimately, we’re trusting God while also taking responsibility for what He has placed in our hands.
And sometimes, that means getting back to the basics.
I’ll be honest, I needed this Dollar Date just as much as the girls did. There is something about having a date on the calendar, knowing other people are showing up, and saying, “Okay, we’re actually going to talk about this,” that makes you take action. I pulled out my journals, brought out my calculator, and got to work before they even got to my house.
Accountability can do that.
You can know what you’re supposed to do. You can have it in your planner and everything. But at some point, you have to actually do it. And that’s where discipline comes in.
The same discipline that you’ll need for the rest of your life for just about everything you work toward. The discipline you’ve been building through your daily Scripture reading and personal prayer time shows itself in budgeting too.
One of my favorite parts of our Dollar Date was watching the girls connect biblical principles to their everyday lives. They weren’t just asking, “What percentage should I save?” They were asking questions like:
What does the Bible actually say about this?
How should I think about money as a Christian?
How do I apply these principles to my life?
Those are important questions. But eventually, every question has to become a decision. And every decision has to become an action. Because knowing that saving is wise doesn't automatically put money into your savings account. If that were the case, I would’ve been a millionaire the first time I heard the Dave Ramsey radio show in 2019.
At some point, you have to open the planner. Knowing that giving matters doesn't automatically make you set aside your tithe. Knowing that budgeting is important doesn't mean you actually sit down and tell your money where to go.
You have to look at the numbers. You have to make the uncomfortable adjustment. You have to say no sometimes, especially to that very optional fast-food craving. And then you have to do it again next month.
I think sometimes we make discipline sound like this huge, intense thing. But really, discipline can simply be opening your Bible when you'd rather scroll, putting your tithe aside before you spend the rest and moving money into savings before you have the opportunity to spend it, checking your bank account instead of avoiding it. And then doing it again tomorrow. And the day after that.
So for the month of October, I encourage you to sit down with your planner, check your bank account instead of avoiding it, and start that budgeting habit up again. Go on a Dollar Date. You don't have to start a whole group.
Your Dollar Date might just be you, your planner, your Bible, and a cup of coffee. Or maybe it’s you and a friend sitting down once a month and looking at your money together. Move in honesty, accountability, and a willingness to grow. Because sometimes the financial advice you need isn't something new. Sometimes you just need to start doing what you already know you should be.
So, for this last quarter of 2026, just start. You'll figure out the rest as you go. 💕
Let Us Pray
Dear Father God,
Many of your sons and daughters are crying out to You about their financial situation. Thank You for being mindful of Your creation. Thank You for being a good Father. You would no hear Your children cry for bread and give them a snake. So tonight, I pray that You search the hearts of Your faithful stewards and create in them hearts that are pure. Let those who seek You be the good people that leave an inheritance for their children’s children!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
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