5 steps to create and maintain
a successful budget!
How often do you reach the end of the month and realize you spent the money you had planned to save? How often do you reach the end of the month and have no idea how much you spent?
If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. People ignore what’s going on with their money for a variety of reasons — whether it’s because they don’t want to face it, don’t think they make enough for it to matter or think they can always deal with it later — whatever the reason, it’s just an excuse. And it’s holding you back more than you realize.
If you can change your mindset, you can change your life
No one actually likes the idea of budgeting — no one says oh I can’t wait to spend my weekend budgeting!
In fact, the word budget has developed such a negative connotation that, for many people, has made the concept more intimidating than empowering.
And that’s what you have to change about your mindset in order to take control of your money.
How to create and maintain a budget in 5 simple steps!
1. Set goals
Figure out what your priorities are for both the near and long-term future. For example, buying a house, buying a car, a big vacation, emergency savings, retirement etc.
If you don’t know why you’re saving, it gets put on the back burner. So identify what your big goals are and then start taking steps to reach them.
2. Know how much you should be spending
While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule for where and how you should spend your money, there are some general guidelines that can help you create and maintain a budget that will allow you to reach your goals.
Your spending can be broken down into three main categories: fixed costs, goals and savings, and flexible spending.
Fixed costs: No more than 50% of your income
Flexible spending: No more than 30% of your income
Goals & savings: Try to put away 20% of your income toward your short- and long-term goals/savings.
3. Figure out exactly how much is coming in and going out each month
This will help you create a realistic budget that keeps you on track, as well as help you identify areas where you can cut back! Taking a good hard look at where your money is going each month will allow you to spot unnecessary expenses and other ways to reduce your overall spending.
4. Create your budget
Once you have an overview of what’s coming in and what’s going out, you can start reducing expenses and then create your budget based on what you should be spending on everything.
The less you spend on the expenses you can control, the quicker you’ll get out of debt and be able to save more toward your goals.
5. TRACK EVERYTHING!
If you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck, you have to give every dollar a purpose.
Tracking how much money is coming in versus how much is going out — and where exactly it’s all going — is the key to making smart financial decisions that have a big impact on your life both now and in the future.
CHECK OUT OUR STEP-BY-STEP BUDGETING GUIDE TO GET STARTED!
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