Budgeting Tips for Police Officers: Balancing the Badge and the Bank

Working in law enforcement comes with unpredictable hours and occasional overtime, which can make managing finances a bit tricky. I’ve been trying to find smarter ways to budget, especially since expenses like gear, certifications, and even coffee add up quickly. How do other officers here handle their money? Do you set aside a specific percentage for irregular expenses, or do you have a system for tracking those smaller, frequent costs? Also, with shift work making it hard to stick to a routine, what tools or apps have you found helpful for staying on top of spending? Would love to hear what’s worked for you!

OMG I TOTALLY FEEL YOU!! I use YNAB and it’s a GAME CHANGER for tracking those random cop expenses!! Also, automatic savings for gear is a MUST – set it and forget it, y’know?? SO PUMPED to see other tips here!!! :police_car_light::money_bag:

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