TL;DR – Budgeting may be challenging at the start. But like any new habit you’re trying to cultivate, it just takes practice and discipline.
Budgeting monthly expenses is an essential part of financial planning. It involves taking a hard look at your income and expenses and finding ways to live within your means. By creating a budget, you can ensure that you have enough money to cover your necessary expenses while also setting aside funds for your retirement and other goals.
Here are some steps to follow when budgeting your monthly expenses:
1. List your expenses
Make a list of all your monthly expenses. This should include everything from rent or mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, and transportation to entertainment, subscriptions, and other discretionary spending. Be sure to include any debt payments or other recurring bills.
2. Categorize your expenses
Once you have a list of your expenses, categorize them into fixed and variable expenses. Fixed expenses are those that remain the same each month, such as rent or mortgage payments, while variable expenses can fluctuate from month to month, such as groceries or entertainment.
3. Set priorities
Determine which expenses are necessary and which are discretionary. Prioritize your necessary expenses, such as housing, utilities, and food, over discretionary expenses, such as eating out or buying new clothes.
4. Determine your budget
Using your income and expenses, create a budget for the month. This should be a realistic estimate of how much you can afford to spend in each category. Be sure to leave room for unexpected expenses or emergencies.
5. Evaluate and adjust
Keep track of your spending throughout the month to ensure that you are staying within your budget.
At the end of each month, evaluate your budget and see where you can make adjustments for the following month.
If you found that you overspent in one category, try to cut back in another category to make up for it. If you have extra money left over, consider putting it towards savings or paying down debt.
Budgeting is an important part of financial planning. It gives you control over your finances and ensures that you are living within your means.
Following these steps will allow you to prioritise your expenses while you set aside funds for your retirement and other goals.
Retirement age and re-employment age to increase to 63 and 68 respectively from 1 July 2022