My Budget Failed in January (How My Sinking Funds Saved Me)

Описание: January 2026 was a "real life" month. Between a winter storm utility spike and a $500+ plumbing disaster, my budget didn't go as planned. In this video, I’m showing you my real numbers—the good, the bad, and the expensive. You’ll see exactly how my Sinking Funds became the "hero" of my month, preventing these unexpected costs from derailing my progress toward financial freedom. I’m also walking you through my February 2026 budget updates and how I track every dollar in real-time using my custom template.

👉 The Exact Budget Template I use in this video:
https://easeintoearningsco.etsy.com

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In this video, we cover:
How a winter storm blew my utility budget by $126.
The $500+ plumbing emergency (and how I negotiated the bill).
Why I don’t "sweat it" when one category goes over.
My February 2026 Budget: Why I’m increasing my utility buffer.
Real-time tracking: My "2-second" habit for staying on top of expenses.

Total cost breakdown for sink plumbing repair:
Plumber to unclog sink 🙄 $288.40 (negotiated down from $325)
New Garbage Disposal $157.94
Garbage disposal install $100 (found more affordable person through referrals)

Whether you're struggling to stay consistent or just want to see how someone else manages the "chaos" of real-world expenses, I hope this helps you realize that a "failed" budget isn't a failure—it's just a reason to adjust.

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▶️ How I Pivoted Careers & Increased My Income (coming soon)

✩ Timestamps ✩
0:00 January Budget Reality Check
0:30 The Utility Spike (Winter Storm Costs)
1:19 The Car Seat & The 15% Discount Hack
2:18 Tracking Variable Expenses
2:55 The $500+ Plumbing Disaster (Negotiating the Bill)
3:58 My sinking fund savings strategy
4:18 Where I went UNDER budget (The Wins)
5:03 February 2026 Budget Adjustments
5:48 How I Track Expenses in Real-Time using budget template
7:08 Final Takeaway: Why Savings "Clutch" is Essential
7:28 Watch next: 5 Money Lessons Traveling Has Taught Me

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✩ About Ease Into Earnings ✩
I created Ease Into Earnings to share simple systems and templates I use to budget, save, invest, and earn more, so managing money feels easy and stress-free. My goal is that after watching each video, you’ll walk away feeling empowered to take small steps toward improving your financial life today.

Disclaimer: This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not a financial advisor. The tools and systems shared are based on my personal experience and goals for 2026. Personal finance is personal; please always do your own research, consider your own circumstances, and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions.