How to Create a Budget: 7 Steps

What is a Budget?

A budget is essentially a financial plan that helps you manage your money by allocating funds for different expenses and goals.¹ It involves tracking your income and expenses to ensure that you are spending within your means and saving for the future. Budgets can be created for various timeframes, such as monthly, quarterly, or annually, and can cover both fixed and variable expenses.

By creating and sticking to a budget, you can prioritize your spending, identify areas where you may be overspending, and work towards achieving your financial objectives.

What is Budgeting?

Budgeting is a crucial aspect of personal finance because it allows you to take control of your financial situation and make informed decisions about your money. Whether you're saving on a tight budget or a big purchase, paying off debt, or planning for retirement, having a budget in place can help you stay on track and achieve your financial goals.

When it comes to managing your finances effectively, there are several types of budgeting methods you can explore:

1. Zero-based budget is where every dollar you earn is assigned a specific purpose, ensuring no money goes unaccounted for.²
2. A 50/30/20 budget divides your income into categories: 50% for essentials like housing and utilities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for savings and debt repayment.
3. The envelope system is where you allocate cash into envelopes labeled with different expense categories, helping you visually track and limit your spending in each area.
4. A rolling or continuous budget involves constantly updating and adjusting it when circumstances change, allowing for flexibility in financial planning.

Each method has its strengths, so it's essential to find the one that aligns best with your financial goals and lifestyle.

Overall, budgeting can help you avoid financial stress and uncertainty, knowing that you have a plan in place to manage your finances effectively. Mastering the art of budgeting is a key step towards achieving financial stability and success.

What Does a Budget Look Like?

A budget serves as a financial roadmap, outlining your income and expenses over a specific period, typically monthly. It's like a blueprint for your money, helping you allocate funds toward essential expenses, savings goals, and discretionary spending.

A typical budget can include several key components:

• Income - The bedrock of any budget, income encompasses all sources of earnings, including salaries, wages, bonuses, investments, and side hustles.
• Expenses - From necessities like housing, utilities, groceries, cell phone bills, and transportation to discretionary expenses such as dining out entertainment, and vacations, expenses encompass all outgoing financial obligations.
• Savings and Investments - A crucial facet of financial planning, savings, and investments represent the cornerstone of long-term wealth accumulation and security.
• Debt Management - Whether it's student loans, credit card debt, or mortgages, managing debt effectively is paramount to achieving financial stability.
• Financial Goals - Whether it's purchasing a home, getting married, saving for a college education, or achieving financial independence, setting clear and achievable goals provides direction and motivation to stay on track.
• Review and Adjustments - Monitoring expenses, tracking progress towards goals, and making necessary modifications ensure that your budget remains relevant and effective over time.

Remember, crafting a budget tailored to your unique financial situation and aspirations is the first step toward achieving financial well-being. Embrace the journey, empower yourself with knowledge, and let your budget be your guiding light towards financial success.

What Are The Steps to Create a Budget?

Step 1: Calculate Total Monthly Income

To calculate your total monthly income,

• Add up all your regular income, such as your wages or salary from your job, including bonuses and overtime pay. If you have multiple jobs, include income from each one.
• Consider any additional sources of income such as rental properties, freelance work, or investment dividends.
• Don't forget to include government benefits or assistance programs like social security or unemployment benefits.
• Once you've gathered all your income sources, add them together to find your total monthly income.

Understanding your total monthly income is crucial for financial planning. It helps you create a budget, set savings goals, and make informed decisions about purchasing life insurance. If your paycheck fluctuates, calculating an average over several months can provide a more accurate picture of your finances.

Step 2: List Out Expenses and Categorize Them as Fixed or Variable

When it comes to managing your expenses effectively, it's essential to understand the difference between fixed and variable costs.

• Fixed expenses stay consistent month after month, such as rent or mortgage payments, insurance premiums, and subscription services. These are costs that you can count on and typically don't fluctuate much.
• Variable expenses are more flexible and can change from month to month. These include things like groceries, entertainment, and dining out.

To list your expenses and categorize them:

• Gather all your financial statements, bank statements, credit card statements, utility bills, and any other monthly bills you may receive.
• Separate them into fixed and variable categories based on their predictability and consistency.

By categorizing your expenses in this way, you can better prioritize your spending and make adjustments as needed to meet your financial goals. Remember, the key to successful budgeting is regular review and adjustment, so don't be afraid to tweak your plan as your circumstances change.

Step 3: Calculate Total Monthly Expenses

After you list out your expenses and categorize them, the next step is to calculate your total monthly expenses. To calculate your total monthly expenses,

• Add up all your fixed expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, insurance premiums, child care, and subscription services.
• Calculate your variable expenses by estimating past spending habits for categories like groceries, entertainment, and dining out.

After adding up both your fixed and variable expenses, you will clearly understand how much extra money you need to cover your monthly expenses. This total will help you determine if your expenses exceed your income or if you have room in your budget for savings and investments.

Keep in mind that unexpected expenses can arise, so it's always a good idea to build a buffer for emergencies or unexpected costs.

Step 4: Subtract Expenses From Income To Determine Surplus or Deficit

Now that you have an understanding of your monthly expenses, it is time to determine if you have a surplus or deficit. Determining your surplus or deficit involves a simple yet crucial calculation: subtracting your expenses from your income. To do so,

• Total all your monthly expenses together and multiply by 12.
• Subtract your total expenses from your total income.

If the result is

• Positive, you have a surplus, meaning you're spending less than you earn. This surplus can be used to save, invest, or pay down debt.
• Negative, you have a deficit, indicating that your expenses exceed your income. In this case, it's crucial to reassess your budget, identify areas where you can cut back, and possibly explore ways to increase your income.

To gain a clearer picture of your financial health, it's beneficial to track your surplus or deficit over time. Regularly monitoring your income and expenses allows you to identify trends, make adjustments as needed, and work towards achieving your financial goals. By maintaining a surplus or striving to minimize deficits, you can build a solid foundation for a secure financial future.

Step 5: Set Savings Goals and Allocate Accordingly

Setting savings goals and allocating your resources accordingly is a vital part of financial planning. Here's how to approach it effectively:

• Assess Your Financial Situation: Start by evaluating your current financial standing. Consider your income, expenses, debts, and existing savings. This evaluation will provide a clear picture of your financial situation.
• Set Specific Goals: Once you understand your financial picture, establish clear and achievable savings goals. These goals might involve either building an emergency fund, saving for retirement, or for future expenses.
• Allocate Resources: After identifying your savings goals, allocate your resources accordingly. Determine how much money you need to save each month to reach these goals. Prioritize your expenses based on these savings targets.
• Consult a Financial Planner: Consider working with a financial planner to develop a personalized savings and investment strategy. A professional can help align your financial plan with your long-term goals and risk tolerance, guiding how to make the most of your resources.

By following these steps in your financial plan, you can effectively work towards your savings goals while protecting your financial future.

Step 6: Adjust Variable Expenses To Align With Goals/Income

Adjusting variable expenses to align with your financial goals and income is crucial for effective financial planning. Here's how you can do it:

Evaluate current spending habits

• Identify areas to cut back or optimize.
• Reduce discretionary expenses like dining out or entertainment.
• Find ways to save on essentials like groceries and utilities.

Allocate freed-up funds towards savings goals

• Build an emergency fund.
• Save for retirement.
• Invest in your future.

Regularly review and adjust variable expenses as income and goals evolve. Working with a financial planner can provide valuable guidance and support in making informed decisions aligned with your priorities and aspirations.

Step 7: Monitor and Update the Budget Monthly

To maintain financial stability and achieve your goals, it's crucial to monitor and update your budget every month. Here are a few tips to help you stay on track:

• Track your income and expenses throughout the month, either manually or by using budgeting apps or software.
• Regularly review your budget as the month progresses to ensure you're sticking to your financial plan.
• At the end of each month, evaluate your budget and make necessary adjustments based on your actual spending and any changes in income or expenses.
• Consider reallocating funds, cutting back on non-essential expenses, or finding ways to increase your income to meet your financial goals.
• Work with a financial advisor to get valuable guidance and support in making informed decisions that align with your long-term financial objectives.

By staying proactive and regularly updating your budget, you can better manage your finances, save for the future, and ensure you have the necessary resources to help protect your loved ones.

Tips and Key Considerations

Creating a budget is an essential step in managing your finances effectively and ensuring that you can achieve your financial goals. Here are some key tips to help you get started:

Identify areas for cost-cutting

One effective way to identify areas for cost-cutting is by conducting a thorough review of your expenses. Start by categorizing your spending into essentials, like housing and groceries, versus non-essentials, such as entertainment and dining out. Look for patterns and areas where you might be overspending, then set specific budgeting goals to trim unnecessary expenses.

Additionally, consider negotiating bills, switching to more cost-effective alternatives, or eliminating subscriptions and memberships you don't fully utilize.

Use budgeting tools and apps

Budgeting tools and apps are good resources for managing your finances effectively. Firstly, they help track your expenses, categorize spending, and set budget goals, giving you a clear picture of where your money is going.

These tools often offer features like bill reminders, savings goals, credit card payments, and even investment tracking, empowering users to make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial objectives with ease.

Whether you're a budgeting novice or a seasoned pro, utilizing these tools can streamline your financial management process and pave the way toward greater financial stability and success.

Plan for emergencies

Planning for emergencies is crucial for financial stability. Start by creating an emergency fund with enough spending money to cover at least three to six months' worth of living expenses. Additionally, consider purchasing appropriate insurance coverage, such as health, auto, and home insurance, to protect against unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or home repairs.

Lastly, develop a comprehensive budget that includes saving a portion of your income specifically for emergencies, allowing you to handle unforeseen circumstances without derailing your financial goals.

Consider your long-term financial goals

When mapping out your long-term financial goals, it's crucial to envision where you want to be financially in the future. Start by setting clear objectives, whether it's saving for retirement, buying a home, having multiple children, or funding for their education.

Consider factors like your current financial situation, risk tolerance, and time horizon, and remember to regularly reassess and adjust your goals as your life circumstances evolve. For example, if you are thinking about paying off your debt faster, look for ways to put more money toward your debt payments.

Building a diversified investment portfolio aligned with your goals and regularly reviewing it with a financial advisor can help keep you on track to achieve your long-term financial aspirations.

Be realistic and flexible

One effective strategy for realistic and flexible budgeting is to prioritize your spending based on needs versus wants. Start by identifying essential expenses such as housing, utilities, and groceries, then allocate funds to discretionary items like entertainment or dining out.

Additionally, regularly review and adjust your budget as circumstances change, allowing for flexibility to accommodate unexpected expenses or changes in paycheck.

By being mindful of your spending and adaptable to changes, you can maintain financial stability while still enjoying some flexibility in your budgeting approach.

Conclusion

A budget is essential for financial health. Our 7-step approach outlines the key components to budgeting successfully. Use this process to gain control of your finances, reduce unnecessary spending, eliminate debt, and achieve your money goals.

The time you invest in budgeting now will pay off tenfold down the road with the savings and security that a budget provides. Taking that first step, while it may seem daunting, is crucial to gaining control over your finances. Start with your complimentary financial review plan today!

Sources

1. Budgeting and Goal Setting. https://finlit.yale.edu/planning/budgeting-and-goal-setting.
2. Budgeting methods: Five ways to manage your business budget. https://www.bill.com/learning/business-budgeting-methods.