My Favorite Resources

What book should I start with?
How do I start a budget?
Which budgeting app is the best?
Where should I keep my sinking funds?

To answer these common questions, I've decided to put together a resource page with links to all my favorites. Yes, some of these are affiliate links, but I'd recommend them regardless, cuz I just love them so much!

I've put a lot of my favorite books (and coloring resources) on one Amazon page that you can see here.

Books

Total Money Makeover - The best book for getting you fired up to attack your debt and change your family's finances forever. Most libraries will have this book, so check there first.

Your Money or Your Life - This classic book has been helping people mind the gap between their income and their expenses for over 40 years. A great next step after Total Money Makeover.

Budgeting

You Need A Budget (YNAB) - Using YNAB was a game changer for us getting our finances in order. The first zero based budgeting software, this program actually shows you how much money you have left to spend in each category, and lets you roll with the punches with easy transferring of funds between categories. Plus they have a free 34 day trial!

Your Sunny Money Method - If your finances are a mess and you just don't know where to start, or if you simply want someone to take you step by step through the process of budgeting and getting all your finances in order, this online course by Sami Womack is calling your name. Sami and her husband got out from under a giant $490K pile of debt, and her she is ready to take you by the hand and show you how to do it too. She's generously offered you a $10 discount for signing up through my link.

Banking

Capital One 360 - I love my Capital One 360 account, because I can set up as many sub accounts as I want. So perfect for sinking funds (saving for known upcoming big expenses) as it keeps the money out of my local checking account. I've got it set up to auto transfer the day after payday so that I'm automatically saving for things like vacations, car repairs, car replacement, property taxes, and more. Sign up through my link and get a $25 bonus when you open a 360 Savings, and up to $100 when you open a 360 Money Market account.

Retirement

Vanguard - We have two Roth IRA accounts with Vanguard, one for each of us, and we do our best to max out the contributions each year. We hold the majority of our Roth funds in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) and have liked the return even when the market slips. Note: I am just sharing the fund we use for ourselves, I am not a financial advisor and am not giving financial advise, just sharing what we do.

Classic bundle

I like that you get pick how many line are worth whatever increment of money you decide

Love the charts! Keep me accountable

I love the charts, they are a great visible accountability tool! Each eeek I fail it in, and get a quick happiness jolt to see my progress immediately. I know apps can do the same, but the physical act of filling the chart in makes me feel like I’m in charge.

Book tracking chart

Love it! I use this with my grandson who's in the first grade. He's learning to read and loves coloring a book on the chart every time he finishes reading me a book. It's great to watch him gain confidence in his reading and see how excited he gets when he see's his progress on the chart. Thank you!!! :)

Debt Free Coloring!

I absolutely LOVE and appreciate the free coloring designs. Coloring each page definitely is therapeutic for me and the sayings are inspirational and provide me with motivation to keep on my debt free journey 💙 I use them in my budget binder and on the wall in my office area. Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful creations 🥰🙏

Helpful Charts!

The charts are very helpful with keeping me on track with my debt cancellation. Having them to color and see my progress makes this journey more rewarding.