Student-first budgeting system
Take control of your cash,one student budget at a time.
A simple weekly and monthly cash planning system built by an accounting mind. See your income, expenses, and leftover cash clearly so you can make real decisions without subscriptions or paywalls.
Takes about 2 minutes to get your first draft plan.
How it works
Three simple steps to control your cash
Start with your income and bills, zoom out to see your month, then check your categories so your plan and your real-life spending line up.
Step 1
Weekly Cash Plan
Enter your monthly numbers to see how much cash you have left after essentials, and how much is safe to spend per week. This is the core of the Cash Control Method.
Total cash you actually see hit your account each month.
Bills that don't move much month to month.
Money you plan to spend on flexible things like groceries, gas, and fun.
What you're setting aside on purpose each month.
Summary
- Total monthly expenses
- $0.00
- Cash left after expenses
- $0.00
- Savings rate (monthly)
- 0%
SAFE TO SPEND PER WEEK
$0.00
This is your weekly “cash control” number — what's left after your plan, divided by 4 weeks.
Step 2
Monthly Cash Snapshot
This is your big-picture view: how your monthly income breaks down into spending, savings, and leftover cash after everything. Numbers pull in automatically from your Weekly Cash Plan and Expense Categories.
Aim for a plan where your spending and savings fit comfortably inside your income, and your leftover cash isn't negative.
Cash Control Summary
Weekly Income
$0.00
Your monthly income divided by 4.
Weekly Expenses
$0.00
Fixed + variable + savings, divided by 4.
Weekly Cash Left
Key metric$0.00
If this is positive and realistic, your plan is on track.
Monthly Income
$0.00
Pulled directly from your Weekly Cash Plan.
Monthly Expenses
$0.00
Total fixed + variable + savings for the month.
Monthly Cash Left
Key metric$0.00
Cash left after everything for the month.
Savings Rate (weekly)
0.0%
Savings as a share of your weekly income.
Savings Rate (monthly)
Key metric0.0%
Savings as a share of your monthly income.
Step 3
Expense Categories
Break your monthly spending into simple categories. This mirrors how you'll track things in your spreadsheet: clear buckets instead of a million tiny rules.
Rent, utilities, internet, etc.
Groceries, eating out, campus snacks.
Gas, rideshare, bus pass, parking.
Books, fees, supplies, software.
Clothes, hygiene, subscriptions.
Hobbies, going out, games, trips.
Anything that doesn't fit above.
Category summary
Total across all categories: $0.00
Average per week in categories: $0.00
Tip: If your category total is higher than your variable budget from Step 1, you're planning to overspend and should adjust one of them.
The Cash Control Method
A structured financial discipline framework
Financial control means you decide how your money moves—not stress, not impulse, not the economy. Cash Control is a simple, structured system designed to teach clarity, stability, and confidence with money.
The core framework
- Pause and get clear on your real starting point.
- Establish weekly cash inflows you can depend on.
- Define obligations: rent, bills, and non-negotiables.
- Build controls for flexible costs like food, gas, and fun so they don't run the show.
- Protect emergency stability with a real buffer, not just vibes.
- Layer in smart economic decisions (like real-rate thinking) so your choices make sense in today's environment.
About the Creator
Cash Control Method was created by Dion Pina, an accounting student who wanted a simple, no-subscription way for students to stay on top of their cash. The system combines real accounting logic with simple spreadsheets so you can build strong money habits now and carry them into your career.
This is just the first version. Over time, the plan is to add downloadable templates, walkthroughs, and simple tools that help you apply what you learn in accounting, economics, and personal finance—without losing control of your cash.
Have ideas for new tools or want to use Cash Control Method with a class or club? A simple contact form will live here soon.
Coming soon · Student tools in progressCash Control Method is an educational tool and does not provide personalized financial, investment, or tax advice. Talk to a qualified professional before making major financial decisions.