Most people seem to be afraid to budget. Even just the word 'budgeting' makes them nervous and cringe. To them it means living a lesser life while doing more work. They think budgeting is hard and will take away from them the things they love in life. They think they could never budget because it is just too difficult.
To tell you the truth, budgeting is not that hard. In fact, with the right tools, you can make it very simple and very easy to follow. Start out by figuring out how much money you make and spend each and every month, on average.
First add up your income each month. Fortunately for most of us, this is very easy to calculate because it just means adding up our paychecks for the month. If applicable, add in interest income, dividends, tips, bonuses, royalties, and any other money you make.
Next, add up expenses just as you did income. Add every last expense from the smallest candy bar to the biggest payment, which is probably rent. If you don't know exactly, estimate the best you can. Preferably estimate up to get a more accurate count.
Once these are added up, subtract your spending from your income. If you get zero or just above zero, you are breaking even. You need to budget in order to start saving, especially if you want to get out of debt and feel more financially secure. A negative number means you are going further and further into debt each month.
If you're going into debt and paying for that debt with a credit card, you are in trouble and need to get this under control. If you have a large positive number, you are saving each month and that is great. With a budget, you can save even more and complete your financial goals even faster.
You can use any tool or method you want for budgeting such as software, excel spreadsheets, or a simple notebook and calculator. Just plan out how much you want to spend on what each month working around how much you want to save. To make it easier, be as specific as possible. For example, put a certain amount for entertainment, clothes, gift, etc.
When you start budgeting, you will find out that it is not as hard as you thought. The longer you do it, the easier it is. Keep at it and you'll make a habit and you'll find ways to be frugal with the things you don't care for so that you can buy the things you really want. - 15790
To tell you the truth, budgeting is not that hard. In fact, with the right tools, you can make it very simple and very easy to follow. Start out by figuring out how much money you make and spend each and every month, on average.
First add up your income each month. Fortunately for most of us, this is very easy to calculate because it just means adding up our paychecks for the month. If applicable, add in interest income, dividends, tips, bonuses, royalties, and any other money you make.
Next, add up expenses just as you did income. Add every last expense from the smallest candy bar to the biggest payment, which is probably rent. If you don't know exactly, estimate the best you can. Preferably estimate up to get a more accurate count.
Once these are added up, subtract your spending from your income. If you get zero or just above zero, you are breaking even. You need to budget in order to start saving, especially if you want to get out of debt and feel more financially secure. A negative number means you are going further and further into debt each month.
If you're going into debt and paying for that debt with a credit card, you are in trouble and need to get this under control. If you have a large positive number, you are saving each month and that is great. With a budget, you can save even more and complete your financial goals even faster.
You can use any tool or method you want for budgeting such as software, excel spreadsheets, or a simple notebook and calculator. Just plan out how much you want to spend on what each month working around how much you want to save. To make it easier, be as specific as possible. For example, put a certain amount for entertainment, clothes, gift, etc.
When you start budgeting, you will find out that it is not as hard as you thought. The longer you do it, the easier it is. Keep at it and you'll make a habit and you'll find ways to be frugal with the things you don't care for so that you can buy the things you really want. - 15790
About the Author:
Setting up a household budget is not difficult at all. Once you get the hand of it, it's so simple. Use budget software and it's even easier!