I live on a budget of just $50 A MONTH – here are my genius money-saving hacks that help me cut costs while still having fun with friends

A woman who set herself a budget of just $50 a month to spend on non-essentials for the entire year has revealed how she sticks to her strict budget.

Alexis Howard, 28, of the San Francisco Bay Area, is known as @financiallybrave on TikTok, where she shares her financial journey.

The content creator started the challenge in January, but she recently recapped her July spending, revealing, “I’m happy to share that I spent $41 in July.”

Under the rules she put in place, she was able to carry over the extra $9 until August, the most she has left at the end of the month.

The content creator explained that the $50 is separate from her monthly expenses, including the cost of replacing empty or broken items.

In a recent video, she recapped her July non-essential spending, revealing that she had $9 left after a month of budgeting.

“When I started this challenge, I knew summer was going to be the hardest season to get through,” she admitted.

“So I’m a little surprised that it’s now that I’ve managed to underspend, especially as I’ve been extremely busy in July.

“But what’s most interesting to note is that I thought my $41 was better spent on souvenirs with friends rather than materialistic things.”

Alexis said she spent $14.66 on ice cream for two people, $8 on a cup of kava tea for an “outing”, $10 on bar opening fees for her birthday. a friend and $8 roller coaster for another friend’s party.

The savvy saver also went to a farmers’ market for free for a “fun July activity.”

“These purchases confirm two things for me,” she said. “The first is that you don’t have to give up your social life when you’re on a budget.

“Laughs and memories can still happen among friends, even if you opt for ice cream over an expensive restaurant meal. And second, gratitude can take you a long way when it comes to discipline.

“Focusing on what you have access to versus what you don’t helps alleviate budgeting challenges. »

“What’s most interesting to note is that I thought my $41 was better spent on souvenirs with friends rather than materialistic things,” said Alexis, who still managed to spend time with his friends.

Alexis said she spent $14.66 on ice cream for two people and $8 on a cup of kava tea for a “night out.”

She also explained how she took advantage of the local farmers’ market – a free “fun July activity”.

Alexis also spent $10 on entry fees at a bar for a friend’s birthday and $8 to ride a roller coaster at another friend’s party.

Alexis noted in on-screen text that she is grateful to have clothes, shelter, water and electricity, loving family and friends, fresh groceries, transportation efficient sharing and free activities in its region.

‘I love this account! This is a much more realistic way to approach spending,” one fan responded.

‘Omg, congratulations on your success!!! This is huge, especially doing it in July,” someone else shared.

“It’s so amazing!” I would love to try this, but I really struggle with discipline,” admitted another.

Alexis laid out the rules for her $50 spending challenge in January and has been sharing monthly updates since then.

“I track my expenses on an Excel sheet with all my essentials laid out. This includes rent, groceries, bills and any other financial expenses I have to pay,” she explained.

“To give myself some balance and joy throughout this process, I’ve allocated a very small portion of my budget – $25 per month to be exact – to flowers, weekend coffees or candles.”

Alexis pointed out that the $25 doesn’t count toward her $50 spending limit, nor does the cost of times needing to be replaced because they’re empty or broken.

“This year I will spend a lot less traveling, eating and shopping, and a lot more eating at home and maintaining my discipline by reading, working out and focusing on my career,” he said. -she concluded.