How to Use a Bullet Journal to Track and Hit Your Money Goals

Bullet journaling isn’t just for tracking habits and to-do lists. It can also be a powerful tool to help you take control of your finances. With a little creativity and structure, you can use a bullet journal to track your money goals, stay motivated, and visually see your financial progress come to life.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use a bullet journal to reach your money goals, including layout ideas, real-life examples, and ways to make your financial journey fun, organized, and incredibly rewarding.

Why Use a Bullet Journal for Money Goals?

While apps and spreadsheets are helpful, bullet journals:

Offer a tactile, creative experience
Allow complete customization
Help you stay mindful of your money habits
Provide visual motivation and satisfaction

Real-Life Example:
Maya started using her bullet journal to track weekly expenses, debt payoff, and savings milestones. In one year, she paid off two credit cards and saved $6,000 – all while rediscovering her love of drawing and journaling.

Getting Started: Supplies You Need

You don’t need anything fancy:

A blank notebook (dotted or grid paper works best)
Pens, highlighters, and/or markers
Ruler (optional for neat layouts)
Stickers or washi tape (if you want to decorate)

Step-by-Step: Bullet Journal Layouts for Money Goals

1. Financial Overview Page

Start with a big-picture snapshot:

Net worth tracker
Monthly income/expenses
Debts and savings balances

Layout Tip: Use bar graphs or line charts that update monthly.

2. Monthly Budget Tracker

Break down each month:

Categories: rent, groceries, gas, subscriptions, etc.
Planned vs. actual spending
Highlight where you overspent or underspent

Real-Life Example:
Tom used a budget layout with a “spending reflection” section. This helped him see why he was consistently overspending on takeout, and he cut his food expenses by 30%.

3. Savings Goal Tracker

Set a SMART savings goal and visually track your progress.

Ideas:

Thermometer-style tracker
Grid boxes you color in per $50 saved
Separate savings for vacation, emergency fund, or car

4. Debt Payoff Tracker

Create a tracker for each debt:

Credit cards
Student loans
Car loans

Use:

Snowball or avalanche method
A stair-step or ladder illustration to show progress

Real-Life Example:
Lana drew a debt mountain for her $8,000 student loan. Every $100 paid meant coloring in one “rock.” When she finally colored the peak, she celebrated with a budgeted weekend getaway.

5. Spending Log

Track every expense by date.

Helps you identify patterns
Promotes mindful spending
Optional: add emotion symbols to track impulse vs. planned

6. No-Spend Challenge Tracker

Want to cut back? Try a no-spend month and track daily success with a simple calendar spread.

Optional: Add “spend exceptions” (e.g., groceries, bills only).

7. Side Hustle Income or Extra Money Tracker

Log all extra cash you earn:

Freelance work
Selling items
Cashback and rewards

Helps you see how small wins add up!

8. Financial Affirmations or Vision Board Page

Write down:

Positive beliefs about money
Monthly affirmations
Images or drawings that reflect your money goals

Tips for Staying Consistent with Your Bullet Journal

Set a weekly “money journal check-in” (e.g., every Sunday)
Keep your journal in sight (on your desk or nightstand)
Use colorful pens or stickers to make it enjoyable
Celebrate small milestones with a checkmark, doodle, or reward

Real-Life Example:
Elise kept her journal next to her coffee station. Every morning, she checked her weekly budget and filled in her savings tracker with her favorite glitter pen. It became a joyful ritual.

20 Inspirational Quotes About Tracking Goals & Money Mindset

“What gets measured gets managed.” – Peter Drucker
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“Small steps every day lead to big results.” – Unknown
“You don’t have to be extreme, just consistent.” – Unknown
“Progress, not perfection.” – Unknown
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
“Track your goals, and you track your life.” – Unknown
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn
“You become what you track.” – James Clear
“Budgeting isn’t about limiting yourself. It’s about making the things that excite you possible.” – Unknown
“What you focus on expands.” – T. Harv Eker
“Dream big. Start small. Act now.” – Robin Sharma
“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” – Tanzanian Proverb
“Money is a tool. Use it wisely.” – Unknown
“Visualize your highest self, then show up as them.” – Unknown
“Don’t tell people your plans. Show them your results.” – Unknown
“Be proud of how far you’ve come, and keep going.” – Unknown
“Stay focused. Track progress. Trust the process.” – Unknown
“If you want different results, track different behaviors.” – Unknown

📸 Picture This

You open your journal to a page filled with progress. Your savings tracker is nearly complete. Your monthly budget has all the checkmarks. Your debt thermometer is almost full. Every pen stroke reminds you of your consistency and commitment. You’re not just making money moves—you’re watching your dreams take shape one colorful line at a time.

What would your financial life look like if you had a visual, creative system that made tracking money goals actually enjoyable?

💬 Please Share This Article

If this article helped you or inspired you to grab a journal and start tracking your money goals, please share it with a friend or on social media. Your story could help someone else start theirs.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects general financial practices and personal journaling experiences. Please consult a financial advisor for personalized advice. Results may vary.