Money From Scratch is a personal finance website created by José Pérez to make budgeting, saving, and everyday money management easier to understand and put into practice.
The goal is simple: help people who are trying to get better control of their money without making personal finance feel unnecessarily complicated. Whether you’re creating your first budget, starting your first job, dealing with an irregular income, or building savings, the aim is to provide practical information you can actually use.
Who Runs Money From Scratch
I’m José Pérez, and I’m based in Seville, Spain.
I’m not a financial professional. I’m someone who had to learn how to manage money on my own, and I started this site to share what I learned and what I researched along the way.
My Background
I moved to the United States in 2018 and lived in Austin, Texas, until 2022. I worked in an entry-level office job and was managing my own finances independently for the first time.
I rented an apartment for around $1,350 a month, and I had to learn how to balance rent, groceries, transportation, and savings. Some months my income came in lower than I expected. That is what taught me why a realistic budget and an emergency fund matter.
In 2022 I moved back to Spain, and today I live in Seville. Some of the examples on this site come from my time in Texas. Prices and costs have changed since then, so I don’t rely on memory for current figures. I check them against primary sources.
Why Money From Scratch Exists
Personal finance can be overwhelming when you’re starting from scratch. There are countless budgeting methods, financial terms, spreadsheets, and apps competing for your attention. Sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding information; it’s knowing where to begin and what is actually useful in everyday life.
This site is the resource I would have wanted when I was starting out: straightforward, practical, and written for beginners.
What You’ll Find on This Website
- Budgeting Methods: explanations of approaches such as the 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, the envelope method, and Kakeibo.
- Budgeting by Life Stage: practical information for people starting their first job, students, couples, freelancers, and households with different circumstances.
- Tools & Tips: calculators, templates, and habits that make budgeting easier to stick with.
How I Write These Articles
I use examples, calculations, and step-by-step explanations when they help make an idea clear. When an article includes a personal example, it comes from my own experience, mostly from my years in Austin. The specific figures in those examples are simplified to make the concepts easier to follow.
Many articles use US figures and rules, such as dollars, US taxes, and US savings accounts. If you live elsewhere, the principles still apply, but the numbers and rules may differ.
Sources
For statistics, tax information, economic data, and other factual claims, I rely on primary sources such as the IRS, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and I link to them so you can check the information yourself.
Financial information changes over time. I review and update articles when figures or rules become outdated. If you spot an error, please get in touch.
Editorial Independence
Money From Scratch is an independent educational website. When products, apps, or services are mentioned, they are not automatic endorsements. Readers should consider their own circumstances and do their own research before making financial decisions.
Important Disclaimer
I am not a licensed financial advisor, accountant, or certified financial planner. The information on this website is for general educational purposes only and is not personalized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice.
Everyone’s circumstances are different. Before making significant financial decisions, consider speaking with a qualified professional who can look at your individual situation.
Get in Touch
If you have a question, want to suggest a topic, or notice something that needs correcting, visit the Contact page.
Last updated: October 2026.
