How I Budget Like a Boss (Even With 5 Kids & No Partner)

How I Budget Like a Boss (Even With 5 Kids & No Partner)

Intro

Let’s get one thing straight: single mum budgeting tips with five kids and one income isn’t “inspiring”—it’s survival. It’s spreadsheets, snack negotiations, and the occasional scream into a pillow.

But over time, I’ve built a system that actually works. It’s not cute or Instagram-worthy—but it’s real, and it’s helped me go from overwhelmed to in control.

It has taken me ages, and years, to find a system that works for me and my family. I’ve tried so many different methods over the years and while this method works for me now, im sure in a few years time i will change again because life happens, and our priorities change with it.

Finding what budget style works best for you is simply trial and error.

Before I start any new type of budgeting system though, I first work out exactly how, much I plan on getting paid each month, then again how much I plan on spending each month. This won’t be exact because while I like to budget a certain amount for groceries each week, prices change, kids’ habits and diets change, so the amount I spend changes with it. Just take a rough estimate.

Here’s how I budget like a boss—without a financial degree or a partner.

1. I Start With Zero—Literally

I use a zero-based budget, which means every dollar has a job before the month begins.
Internet? Assigned. Groceries? Assigned. Wine for Friday night after the bedtime chaos? Also assigned.

When going over your budget on payday, ensure you are only planning on spending money you actually have, and not the money you plan on getting. The money you’re going to get next week doesnt exist yet, its not real, so you cant spend it.

This keeps me intentional—and it stops that “where did my money go?” feeling.

2. I Use a Budgeting App That Doesn’t Make Me Want to Cry

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, personal finance is just that, personal. What works for me and my budget probably won’t work for you cause guess what? We’re different people with different things, goals, and lives. One person may want to budget $200 a month to get their hair done while another person might think that’s a waste of money even though they budget $150 per month for wool. Each of these people will look at the other and think that’s a waste of money and what is wrong with that person. Meanwhile, person A is a news anchor and is on TV 5 times a week so having great hair is part of the job, and person b is semi-retired and runs a cute little Etsy store selling knitted sweaters and beanies for cats.

Whatever your life goals how ever you budget, finding a system that works for you is key.

I don’t have the time—or patience—for complicated budgeting tools that feel like doing taxes with glitter. I need simple. Visual. Quick to update. And maybe even a little fun. I’ve tried a lot of budgeting methods over the years—some made me feel like I needed a finance degree, others just made me want to scream into a pillow. Eventually, I landed on one that worked for my chaotic, mum-of-five, real-life schedule.

What helped most was using a budgeting app that let me assign every dollar a job before I spent it. It doesn’t matter which app you use—whether it’s a spreadsheet, which I still use as well because I weirdly enjoy it, an envelope system, or something digital—the key is having a system that’s visual, flexible, and not overwhelming.

My categories aren’t fancy. They’re mine, and they make sense for my life:

“Travel” – because even when we’re broke, I like remembering that adventures are possible.
“New Jeep Fund” – a goal that keeps me motivated when I’m tempted to spend on little things that don’t matter.
“Emergency McDonalds Money” – because let’s be honest, dinner plans fail. Often.
“Oh Sh*t Fund” – for when something hits the fan and I need cash right now.

It’s not about having the perfect setup—it’s about creating a budget that actually feels like it’s working with you, not against you. One that gives you control instead of guilt.

And honestly? Seeing those little amounts grow in each category reminds me that I am making progress—even on the hard weeks.

3. I Meal Plan Like a Savage

Feeding a family of eight on a budget = strategy.
I batch cook. I freeze everything. I rotate about 10 staple meals that are cheap, healthy-ish, and kid-approved.

Bonus tip: having themed nights (Taco Tuesday, Freezer Friday) keeps decision fatigue down—and reduces those emergency pizza orders.

I am also a big fan of pantry shopping. Every week before I do the grocery shopping, I search through all the pantries and chest freezers to take stock take on what we have and try to plan as many meals around what we already have first before buying new things. That way I know everything I buy actually gets eaten and we dont end up with 6 cans of black beans buried in the back f the cupboard, again.

4. I Don’t Pretend I’m a Pinterest Mum

I don’t do perfect planners, colour-coded sticker systems, or bullet journals with washi tape and inspirational quotes. If that’s your thing? Amazing. Truly. But for me? I need budgeting to be simple, fast, and real-world-friendly.

Here’s what actually works for me:

A whiteboard on the fridge where I scribble our weekly spending and meal plan.
A $2 notebook full of scribbled goals, quick maths, and the occasional coffee stain.
Spreadsheets on Google Drive (my favourite—for when I’m feeling fancy and caffeinated).

Budgeting doesn’t have to be pretty to be powerful. It just has to be honest.

If making it Pinterest-worthy helps you stay motivated, then decorate that planner like it’s your masterpiece. But if your budget lives on the back of a grocery receipt or the napkin you found under the car seat? That’s still valid. That’s still budgeting.

Some months I’m on top of my colour-coded life. Other months, it’s just me, a pen, and the back of a daycare newsletter. Either way—I’m still showing up for my finances. And that’s what counts.

5. I Celebrate Every Tiny Win

Paid off a credit card? I celebrate.
Didn’t touch my emergency fund this month? That’s a win.
Said “no” to something I couldn’t afford? Victory.

Small wins might not seem life-changing in the moment, but they keep the fire alive. They remind me that every step forward—no matter how small—is still progress. And when you’re juggling bills, kids, and stress, you need those moments to hold onto.

I’ve started setting little milestones with rewards to match. Nothing extravagant, just something that makes me smile. If you’re drowning in debt but slowly chipping away at it, try this:
“For every $1,000 I pay off, I get to go to my favourite café and order that fancy latte I never splurge on.”

That little reward becomes a goalpost. A finish line. A reminder that your effort is worth something now, not just in the far-off future.

Whatever motivates you—use it. Make the journey feel lighter. You’re not just surviving—you’re winning, one decision at a time.