Bullet journaling can get expensive. As someone who has only ever done it on a budget, I am very aware of that reality, but bullet journaling being expensive shouldn’t be the reason we give up. Here are some tips that I’ve discovered that have made bullet journaling on a budget easier.

#1 – Get an inexpensive notebook

As pretty as some of the higher end notebooks are, they are also expensive. I have found some high quality bullet journals on Amazon and other places for a third of the price. As long as it has a built-in bookmark, dot grid pages (or your preferred type of pages), and a sturdy cover, it will probably work great. Also, always remember to read reviews. There are some low-quality cheaper notebooks out there, so do your research and find something that will be worth spending your money on.

#2 – Find creative ways to decorate

There are a surprising number of cheap and free ways to decorate your bullet journal. I’ve used pages from old books (you can stain them with tea to give them a vintage, weathered look). The brown paper that comes in a lot of packages also works great. Additionally, you can cut out words and images from magazines to decorate your planner. When journaling on a budget, get creative and you’ll be surprised how inexpensively you can bullet journal!

#3 – Invest in the essentials

I love selling sticker sheets because most people can afford them (even if you can only get one or two at a time) and sticker sheets make a huge difference in how your bullet journal looks. Washi tape, if you can afford it, also makes a big difference and isn’t usually super expensive. Also, I recommend getting a couple different types of pens (fineliners and mildliners are great for starting out).

#4 – Prioritize which extras you buy

Do you need a bunch of cool stencils and alcohol markers to have a bullet journal? Nope. Would they be nice? Yeah, probably. But when you’re on a budget, you’ll have to prioritize the extras you get. The most important thing to remember is to only get the stuff you need when you’re first starting out, and if you stick with your bullet journal, get the things that would be really helpful later on. You definitely don’t need everything.

#5 – Set reasonable expectations

We all want our planners to look like they came straight out of a Pinterest photo, but for some of us, affording everything that goes into that is not realistic. As I mentioned previously, you can get a long way with a couple rolls of washi tape, a sticker sheet, and a couple great pens. However, a lot of supplies are simply unaffordable. I love the look of the nice brush pens, however, at the moment since I’m bullet journaling on a budget, I just don’t have the money for something like that, and that’s fine. Learning to be content with the supplies you can afford is essential in being consistent with your bullet journal.

#6 – Learn art and lettering skills

If you have the time, learning how to draw and letter, even if it looks simpler can greatly enhance your bullet journal while taking very little money out of your wallet. It will also make your journal more personalized and be more special. This one does take more time, so it’s definitely not essential but is something to consider.

Not having a lot of money to use toward bullet journaling often makes it difficult for people to get into bullet journaling, but there are many ways to make bullet journaling more affordable, and I hope you found these tips helpful! Do you have any tips on bullet journaling on a budget? Let us know in the comments!