Skip to main content

Build A Budget

Budgeting Isn't Glamorous
(But You Will Be)

Let's face it. Budgeting does not sound very glamorous. But creating a budget will slow you to get your spending on track to reach your financial goals. We know you want to live your best life, and a budget can help get there.

Set Your Priorities
Everyone has different values when it comes to their finances. Your values will change throughout your life depending on experiences and personal circumstances.


Now that you know what values drive your spending decisions, it's time to create your budget. First, make note of your after-tax income. This is how much money you have to work with when planning your monthly budget. Then, subtract your fixed expenses, such as your rent or mortgage, utility bill, cellphone bill, credit card bill, student loans - whatever is applicable. Next decide how much money you are willing to put towards your financial "wants," including money for food and entertainment. Consider putting to the remainder into savings.

Find Your Style
Budgeting isn't one size fits all. You have to find out what style of budgeting works best for you. Some people might want to use mobile applications to track spending, others might use a pen and paper. It's all trial and error, so don't give up if the first budget style you try doesn't work for you.

Track Your Spending
Now that you have your budget planned out, track your spending over the next month. Did you stick to your budget? Or did you find yourself spending mindlessly on items outside of your budget? It's okay if you didn't perfectly execute your spending plan this time around; there is always room for improvement. It may not seem ideal now, but when you reach your savings goals, you'll feel pretty glam.

As always, we've got your back.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Best Way To Budget? Try Pen And Paper -- How Bullet Journaling Can Fix Your Spending

Bullet journaling is a new and trendy way to track your spending. Using pen and paper can make you more active in your budgeting and can be fun too. Here's how to start keeping a bullet journal. You can hear it in the swell of retro-inspired music. You can see it in the resurgence of vinyl records and vintage cameras. You can feel the hum of simple circuitry in the air. Analog is back. Analog products fill a very real, very legitimate desire to untether from the digital world we've been enslaved by. In a society where the speed of information is ramping up at an exponential rate, the world of analog is a reminder to slow down and connect to your surroundings. The analog approach can be implemented in a variety of ways -- even budgeting. The bullet journal community has embraces this pen and paper approach to money-management, developing simple and time-saving methods to track and organize your finances offline. What is bullet journal budgeting? The goal of bulle...

What Are The Best No Annual Fee Travel Rewards Cards?

Do you refuse to pay an annual fee of $95 or more for a credit card? No problem - you can still earn fantastic travel rewards with these cards that, in some cases, can be worth more than cash back.  Everyone loves the idea of travel hacking their way across the globe. Trouble is, many of the best travel rewards credit cards have annual fees of $95 or more, and most don't love the idea of paying an annual fee to earn "free" travel. Fortunately, there are plenty of good no annual fee travel rewards credit cards. These cards are perfect if you want to pocket points toward a free vacation but don't spend enough - or don't want to spend enough - on your cards justify an annual fee. In some cases, you might just be against the idea of paying an annual fee on principle. Either way, consider those top travel reward cards that do not charge an annual fee. Best no annual fee travel rewards credit cards BankAmericard Travel Rewards Credit Card Card...

How To Build Savings

It only takes one financial emergency to convince you of the importance of savings. It's recommended that everyone aim to save 3- to 6-months' worth of expenses, which might seem like an impossible target, but every achievement begins with setting a goal and taking the first steps toward reaching it. Why Save? Life is full of surprises - an accident, injury, illness, home repair, legal issue or even a fun opportunity such as an unexpected vacation, festival or concert are all good reasons to build up savings. With no money saved, your options are limited to earning the money or borrowing it, which usually means paying interest. Learning how to build a savings account makes you self-sufficient. You can stand on your own without relying on anyone else to bail you out. Smart Small Saving gets easier and more enjoyable the more you do it. At first, you might feel deprived if you have to trim expenses, but this feeling quickly subsides when you see your account balance rising...