Money, Sorted
Have you started a budget and dropped it within a month? You are not bad with money. Most budgets fail for two simple reasons, and neither one is about willpower.
The first is that the plan has no room in it. It looks bulletproof on day one, then a bus fare goes up, a hospital bill lands, or food costs more than you expected, and the whole thing collapses. The second is that the plan is built on a false income. It counts what you earn, but ignores the help from family, the friend who covered you, and the credit card that quietly filled the gap.
Money, Sorted fixes both.
What is inside
- Why Budgets Fail. The two reasons most budgets fall apart, and how to find out where your money has really been going.
- Understanding Your Income. How to read your pay after deductions, how to work with income that changes every month, how to count a side income, and which other money counts.
- Where the Money Goes. How to tell a need from a want with one simple question, why savings comes before the leftovers, how to treat debt, and the yearly costs that catch people out.
- Building Your Budget. Five ways to build a budget, how to choose the one that fits your situation, and the steps to put it together.
- Over Budget, Under Budget. What to do the moment a category runs over, where to take the money from, and what to do when you finish a month with money left.
- If You Have Debt. What really counts as debt, how to map it, which to pay first, and how to make sure your payments are actually getting you somewhere.
- If You Want to Invest. What has to be true before you start, how inflation and risk work, simple options for beginners, and the warning signs of a scam.
- BONUS: If You Run a Business. A short chapter on keeping business and personal money apart and paying yourself properly.
What you will be able to do
- Find out where your money has really been going
- Work out your income, even when it changes every month
- Tell a need from a want without guilt
- Pick a budgeting method that fits your life and build your first budget
- Handle a month that goes over, and a month that comes in under
- Map your debts and choose which to pay first
- Understand the basics of investing, and spot the warning signs of a scam
- Keep business money and personal money apart
What you get
- The ebook in PDF.
- A separate templates file with seven printable worksheets: Where My Money Went, Your Debt Map, and one for each of the five budgeting methods.
Who this is for
- Beginners who do not know where to start
- Anyone whose past budgets did not last
- People with irregular income, such as freelancers and commission earners
- People who are paying off debt and want a plan
Who this is not for
- Experienced investors looking for advanced strategies
- Anyone wanting personal tax advice or specific stock tips. The book does not recommend any particular investment.
Note: Money, Sorted is educational. It is not personal financial, tax, or legal advice. Rules and taxes differ from country to country, so look up what applies where you live, and speak with a licensed professional for anything complicated.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know anything about money before I read this? No. The book assumes you are starting from zero and explains each step.
Can I print the worksheets? Yes. The templates come as a separate file you can print, or copy into a notebook or spreadsheet.
Does it tell me what to invest in? No. It explains how investing works and how to protect yourself, but it does not recommend specific investments. You do your own research.
What if my income is irregular? There is a section on exactly that, including how to budget around your lowest month so you are not caught out.
About the author
Angel Umez wrote Money, Sorted for people who want clear, honest help with their money and a plan they can follow.
Questions about the book? Email workwithangelumez@gmail.com.
tags: budgeting for beginners, personal finance, money management, how to budget, budget planner, saving money, debt payoff, beginner investing, ebook