Top 9 Budgeting Tips That Will Help You Save Money!
” A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.”
Dave Ramsey
Budgeting is the answer to all the questions that come into your mind whenever you think about your financial position. After so much of hard work, are you able to make yourself financially strong? If yes, then do you need any further improvements? If no, then you need to immediately place your hard-earned money to go in the right direction. Of course, there are ways if you desire to seek them. I discovered some of them to budget on my personal finances. And, today I am here to discuss those Top 9 Budgeting Tips That Will Help You Save Money after spending on your monthly requirements.
Before switching on to the Budgeting techniques that I follow in my life right now, I considered my money is spent on necessities that I can never restrict upon. Moreover, I considered my savings as my Bonus amount. Always, I thought once these necessities of life get settled, I will be able to save more money.
Ah! Its a delusion. Take yourself out of this if you also think this way. This is just an immature thought because the necessities of life will be there until life exists. No matter how much you make, the only thing that matters is, how you save it?
Even today, when I am a Homemaker, I have learned how important it is to budget on the income you receive so that in the long run you will never regret your mistakes. Thanks to my Better Half to help me grow up.
“The best way to stick to a budget is to start one.”
Important Points To Consider
- Do not make it complicated, when you are a beginner. If you follow difficult financial methods to budget on your monthly or yearly income, you may get confused and stop doing it.
- Stick to a plan, make it simple.
- Have back up for emergencies.
- Share it only when required.
Best Methods of Budgeting
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Proportional Budgeting or 50/20/30 Method
One of the most popular methods of budgeting. Not only that, you will find it easier to follow. In this method, you have to divide your income in proportions of 50-20-30. By 50-20-30, it means that 50% of your income will be allocated to your basic needs, 20% to your savings, and the remaining 30% of your income will be for your wants or extra needs that you desire. This method is the most popular one due to its flexibility and fixed savings. You already have a 30% allocation to your extra needs which will keep your savings untouched and secure.
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Zero Based Budgeting
This is a unique method of Budgeting starts from a zero base. Whatever income you generate is assigned to a particular task which includes both your expenditure and savings. This means that every month you start your budget with a zero amount. Do not get confused with a start from zero amount. Your bank account has to not be nil or zero every month, it’s only that your income, expenditure, and savings should go in particular heads and the balance should be zero at the end.
Both theses methods discussed above are the best methods for a simple budget pattern you can follow as a beginner. But if you want to know more methods which can be used in making monthly or Annual Budgets you can gain Detailed knowledge about more budgeting methods here.
“A budget tells us what we can’t afford, but it doesn’t keep us from buying it.”
William Feather
A Budget helps us understand which places we spent our money actually. The dilemma of overspending can be easily figured out when we follow a budget plan. The only thing is when you plan a budget you can come up with an idea about your spending habits. You come to know whether you are spending your hard-earned money in the right direction or in unnecessary places.
When you spend your monthly paycheck according to a plan or budget, you can even buy stuff that you desire and that too without exceeding your spending limits. You can track your savings, accumulate it together at the right place, and then decide what part of it should be spent on your extra needs after fulfilling your money-saving goals. so now, let’s discuss some budgeting tips which will help you keep a track of your earnings and save some extra bucks at last.
TOP 9 Budgeting Tips That Will Help You Save Money
1. Calculate Exact Net Income From All Sources after Deductions
The first and foremost thing your budget plan should have is the Total Net income you receive in Hand from all sources. All sources of income may include income from salary and also the income from your investments. Put it all together to calculate your total net monthly income. Take note to not confuse yourself from Gross Salary because it may also contain deductions from any other liabilities which is auto-debited each month from your gross income.
2. Categorize your Budget Heads individually
Make categories to your Budget Plan. With this, it simply means to categorize the budget sheet into different heads such as Transportation, Food, Rent, Extra Expenses, and any other categories according to your expenses. This makes your Budget simple and easy to understand. Apart from that, the calculation of Total Expenses incurred monthly becomes easier if you are new to planning your Monthly or Annual Budget.
3. Keep a Note of Every Single Amount Spent
This is one of the most important steps to plan a budget. If you are not able to note down your individual expenses correctly in your budget calendar you will not be able to figure out the exact amount which you can save each month. Initially, you may face challenges to calculate your exact monthly expenses, but do not give up on this. Stick to your plan and in a few month’s time, you will be consistent and accurate in calculating your budget in an expert way.
4. Have a Co-Partner And Plan It Together
If it’s your first time planning and preparing for the budget, you must find a co-partner who can accompany you. The process of budget planning should not be tiresome or boring. Instead, this should have a touch of humor with fun-filled moments. Your better half can be the best companion in this process if you are married but remember to make it a combined effort or a family exercise. Do not differentiate his/her money as a separate entity otherwise this may raise concerns in the long run.
Also, if you are not married, find out a co-partner, or a friend who knows all about your accounts and is ready for sharing the accountability issues if any. The person must also know your money goals so that he can help you settle the accounts more clearly.
5. Secure an Amount to Unexpected Funds Every month
This is an invisible part of our lives which we can assume to hit at any time. So, why not be prepared for this! We, humans, live in a social structure and this is the reason why these unexpected emergencies are a part of each one’s life. Some of the most common examples of unexpected emergencies may be an unplanned Holiday, an unexpected medical emergency, funeral ceremony of a relative which was totally unexpected, and many others like these. So, it’s better to secure a fixed amount to this fund so that the money goals you have fixed can be achieved unharmed.
6. Keep a Track of overspending in your Budget Plan
To stop yourself from overspending is the main purpose of any budget plan. From the day you start to make a budget, you will be able to find out where your money actually goes. So, friends! This is the time to take an advantage of your budget calendar. Find out where to have you done overspending and cut on those expenses if not necessary. Take the help of Budget worksheets if you wish to make the process of budget calculation easier and less time-consuming.
7. Do Not Allow Debt To Creep In, Make Adjustments
Whenever you find yourself burdened with unwanted expenses sometimes inevitable, you can give yourself permission to deviate and fulfill them. But do not allow debts to become a part of your regular budget plans. Of course, you can make adjustments to your budget worksheet as and when required in upcoming months. Give yourself some time to get back to the same plan after you finish making those adjustments and get back on track.
8. Make Budgeting Easier with Techno Budgeting Tools
Support yourself with easy online Budgeting Tools. The new era of smartphones has made it possible for every individual to fulfill their goals with no time lag. You have it in your hands now, anytime, anywhere! Help yourself with easy online Budgeting Tools. I recommend using Every Dollar for your Budgeting requirements. It is an easy way to craft your monthly budget with perfection and accuracy. Apart from that, you can keep a check on your spending limits immediately or the same day and stop yourself after getting alarmed.
9. Have Your Family or Individual Saving Goals
When you keep a watch on your spending and cut on expenses that you did not think of before you started budgeting, you need to establish money saving goals. If you do this as and when you start over, you will be able to save more money than ever before. After you do this successfully, contribute a fixed amount to an automated recurring account which gives you good returns. This is the best way in which I save my money every month and achieve my money-saving goals in an easier way.
Conclusion
So now, after all of this discussion, I finally want you all to be alarmed. Saving more money with all your expenses towards a better standard of living is not very easy. Still, you can do it! Be alarmed and persistent. Make yourself organized and productive, Stick to the Budgeting rules you made, follow them consistently and success will yours, for sure!
Did you like this article. Please share your views and comments on whether these budgeting tips can help you in achieving your money-saving goals.