Let’s be honest — staying on top of your budgeting and bookkeeping can feel like a never-ending cycle of starting strong and then slowly… falling off track. You have the best intentions, but somehow, the piles of receipts, endless transactions, and money goals never seem to line up. Sound familiar?
There’s a reason why bookkeeping is a full-time job description at most companies.
There’s a lot of time and effort that goes into bookkeeping and budgeting, especially as revenue grows.
It’s not just about finding the “perfect” budgeting system or the “right” bookkeeping software. However, if you are still trying to DIY your money management and find yourself struggling with consistency, there’s probably something deeper going on. And until you address it, no amount of spreadsheets, apps, or color-coded charts are going to stick.
Why Are You Avoiding Your Money And Struggling to Do Your Budgeting and Bookkeeping?
If you’re constantly falling off the wagon when it comes to managing your finances, it might be because of how you feel about money, not just how you manage it.
Yes, you could be struggling because your systems are outdated or not the right fit for your business, but you could also be struggling with it because your defense mechanisms are trained to find safety by avoiding money.
Self defense mechanisms that send people into a toxic cycle of not being consistent with their money management systems are triggered by emotions. So, your first step to breaking the pattern and finally doing your budgeting and bookkeeping is noticing which emotions come up for you.
Here are three common ones to be mindful of:
Overwhelm: The idea of sitting down to look at your money feels daunting. Maybe it feels like you’ll never catch up, so why bother trying?
Shame: Past financial mistakes or struggles might trigger feelings of embarrassment, making you avoid the whole process.
Confusion: You’re not sure what to track, how to track it, or what the numbers really mean for your business.
Consistency isn’t just about discipline; it’s about feeling safe and empowered in your relationship with money. So if budgeting and bookkeeping are consistently falling to the bottom of your to-do list, it’s time to look beyond the surface and witness your genuine emotions surrounding money.
3 Steps to Stay Consistent (Even If You Suck at It)
Here’s a game plan to help you break the cycle of inconsistency, without the shame or stress:
Simplify Your Bookkeeping and Budgeting Systems
If you’re overwhelmed, the first thing to do is simplify. Maybe you’ve been overcomplicating the process with too many steps or trying to track every little detail.
Start by getting clear on the basics:
What’s coming in?
What’s going out?
What’s the most important metric you need to keep an eye on weekly?
A simple system is a system you’ll actually use.
Set a Regular Money Date
Consistency thrives on routine. Schedule a weekly money date with yourself or your business partner — block off time to check in on your money and stay up to date with your finances. And no, it doesn’t need to be hours long. Even 30 minutes of intentional focus can help you stay on track.
Make it something you look forward to. Pour a cup of tea or your favorite drink, light a candle, and make it a positive experience instead of a chore.
Address Your Money Wounds
If shame or guilt is keeping you from being consistent, it’s time to face those money wounds head-on. Work on healing your relationship with money by exploring where those feelings come from. This might look like journaling about your earliest money memories, getting coaching or therapy, or doing somatic work to shift your emotional response to finances.
Progress Over Perfection
It might sound cliche but this one is important—you can’t make progress if you’re attached to the idea of getting everything perfect right from the start.
I’m going to say that one again: you don’t have to be perfect to make progress with your money.
The key to consistency isn’t about doing everything perfectly every time — it’s about showing up, even when it’s hard, messy, or uncomfortable. The more you commit to working with your money regularly both strategically and emotionally, the more empowered and confident you’ll feel.
So, if you suck at being consistent with your budgeting and bookkeeping, remember, it’s not about perfection, your feelings are talking to you, your avoidance is a self-defense mechanism, and this conversation is your invitation to decide right now that your relationship to money gets to change for the better.
Start small, stay intentional, and watch how your money mindset (and bank account) begins to shift.
Ready to take your finances seriously and grow your wealth with ease? Check out our services and resources at SacredMoneyInc.com or use the button below to book your free discovery call.
Hey there! I’m Karen.
I'm the Founder & CEO of Sacred Money Inc., where I empower spiritually-minded entrepreneurs to heal their financial wounds and manage their money with confidence and grace.
We offer a unique blend of practical financial expertise, including bookkeeping and tax services, with trauma-informed coaching.
My work is here to guide you toward financial resilience and abundance. I'm passionate about transforming the way we think about money and integrating it with our values, pleasures, and spiritual practices.
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