How to Create a Budget That Supports Your Simple Living Goals

Let’s talk about how to create a budget that supports your simple living goals, without making you feel deprived, overwhelmed, or stuck.

If you’ve been craving more ease, freedom, and peace in your day-to-day, you’re not alone. I’m going to walk you through exactly how I built a values-based budget that reduces stress and supports a more intentional, grounded life. And the best part? You can absolutely do the same.

Why Budgeting for Simplicity Feels Different

Let’s be real: traditional budgeting advice can feel rigid, judgmental, or just plain overwhelming. “Cut out all your lattes!” “Track every penny!” But simple living is about more than just frugality, it’s about aligning your spending with what really matters.

When I started budgeting with simplicity in mind, I stopped asking, “How do I save more money?” and started asking, “What kind of life do I want to create, and how can money support that?”

Step 1: Define Your Simple Living Goals

Before you open up any spreadsheets, pause. Let’s get clear on your why.

Ask yourself:

What does “simple living” mean to me?
What do I want more of in my life? (Time, freedom, calm, family dinners, travel, creativity?)
What do I want less of? (Debt, stress, clutter, rushing?)

For me, simple living looked like slow mornings, fewer commitments, more family time, and space to write. I wanted to stop over-scheduling, over-buying, and over-explaining my financial choices.

Action Tip:
Write down 3–5 simple living values you want your money to support. Mine were:

Time freedom
Creative work
Nature and home life
Low stress
Health and wellness

These became the backbone of my budget.

Step 2: Track Your Spending (With Curiosity, Not Shame)

This part can feel intimidating, but it’s important. For one month, I tracked everything I spent. No judgment, just awareness.

I learned that I was spending:

$230/month on eating out because I was too exhausted to cook
$80/month on subscriptions I forgot about
$100/month on impulse Amazon purchases

Here’s the thing: I wasn’t “bad” at money. I was just coping with stress and busyness in a way that didn’t serve me anymore.

Try this:
Track your spending for 30 days. Use an app, a notebook, or a simple spreadsheet. Highlight any purchases that don’t support your simple living goals, and notice any spending that does.

You might be surprised. Maybe that yoga class actually is aligned with your peace and health goals. Maybe that late-night online shopping binge? Not so much.

Step 3: Categorize Your Spending by Values

Now we’re getting to the good part. Once you’ve tracked your expenses, go back and sort each line into categories, but this time, base them on your values, not just traditional labels.

For example:

“Convenience” (grabbing takeout, Uber rides)
“Peace/Calm” (meditation app, therapy, cozy home upgrades)
“Connection” (dinner with friends, travel to see family)
“Creativity” (art supplies, writing courses)

This reframes budgeting into a values check-in, not a punishment.

When I did this, I realized I was overspending on “convenience” because I didn’t have space for meal prep or planning. That was a time issue, not just a money one. So instead of guilting myself, I focused on simplifying my schedule and batch-cooking meals on Sundays. I still spend on takeout occasionally, but now it’s intentional.

Step 4: Build a Values-Based Budget

Now that you’ve got clarity, you can create a budget that’s actually supportive, not restrictive.

Here’s a simple layout I use:

1. Fixed Essentials (Rent, utilities, groceries, health insurance)
2. Aligned Spending (This is where your values go!)
3. Extras (Things you want to cut back on or eliminate)
4. Savings & Goals (Emergency fund, debt payoff, future dreams)

Example Monthly Budget:

Category	Amount
Rent	$1,200
Utilities/Phone	$250
Groceries	$450
Aligned Spending:
Nature/Outdoor Fun	$100
Creative Courses	$75
Health/Yoga	$50
Extras (Cut Back)	$100
Subscriptions, random	$75
Savings/Debt Payoff	$400
Total	$2,700

Note: If this seems tight, don’t worry. You can absolutely adjust over time. The point is to give your dollars a job, and make sure they’re working for you.

Step 5: Simplify & Automate

To make your budget sustainable, make it easy. I automate my fixed payments and transfers into savings each month so I’m not constantly stressing about forgetting something.

I also simplify my spending by:

Using one debit card for aligned spending
Having a separate “fun money” fund to use guilt-free
Unsubscribing from marketing emails that tempt me to impulse spend

And I do regular “check-in” days, just 15 minutes every Sunday to look at the week’s spending and see how I feel about it.

Keep a journal or note where you reflect monthly. Ask, Does this spending support the life I want? If not, gently adjust.

Step 6: Make Room for Joy

Budgeting doesn’t mean killing joy. In fact, when your spending aligns with your values, you often feel more satisfied with less.

For example:

I canceled several subscriptions and used the extra money to buy fresh flowers every week. That tiny shift made me feel more peaceful and grounded at home.
I spent less on clothes but more on one pair of quality shoes that I wear every day. No more random shopping hauls that end up collecting dust.
I prioritized coffee dates with friends over “stuff.” I remember the conversations, not the price tag.

Ask yourself:

What small joys make me feel rich in spirit?
What can I spend on that gives me long-term satisfaction instead of short-term dopamine?

Step 7: Keep It Flexible and Evolving

Your life will change. So will your values and budget priorities. That’s normal, and good. Your budget should flex with your life, not the other way around.

Every quarter, I revisit my simple living goals and do a “budget reset.” It takes me about an hour, but it’s honestly one of my favorite rituals. I light a candle, open my notebook, and ask:

What’s working?
What feels stressful?
What do I want more/less of next season?

You can do this too, make it cozy and judgment-free.

Your Budget, Your Life

Creating a budget that supports your simple living goals isn’t about restriction. It’s about alignment. When your money starts reflecting your values, life feels lighter, more meaningful, and way less chaotic.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be intentional. And trust me: small changes add up.

I’m living proof. I went from overspending and feeling frazzled to living on less, with more peace. I still make mistakes. I still buy the occasional silly thing I regret. But I also have a life that feels aligned, grounded, and mine.

So, what about you?

What are you spending on that no longer serves you?
What would it feel like to make money decisions from a place of calm, not chaos?

You’ve got this. Start with awareness. Then shift, one dollar at a time.

And remember: simple doesn’t mean boring. It means free.

With Love,

Bri & Cat

Related Posts You Might Like:

Intentional Spending: How to Align Every Dollar with What Truly Matters

How to Save Money by Embracing a No-Buy Month Challenge

10 Ways to Make Wellness a Daily Habit Without Spending a Dime

10 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Cut Everyday Expenses Without Sacrificing Comfort