Budgeting is not scary, it’s not difficulty and it doesn’t take a genius to do it. You don’t need a degree in finance, or 25 year experience as an economist, nor to you need a financial advisor or book-keeper do it for you.
Budgeting is about knowing what your incomings are (wages normally), and your outgoings (mortgage/rent, utilities, telephone, cable, shopping, credit cards, etc).
Start out by printing off your monthly bank statement. If you haven’t got internet banking then sign-up now. The easiest way to have control of your money is to know how much you have and how much is coming out. This is budgeting.
Make a list of your income:
To make it simple and give you an example we’ll say you receive £1000 wages a month and you have no other income.
Now make a list of your direct debits, standing-orders, and any other monthly payments that you can’t get out of, this should not include any spending on shopping or food:
Rent: £300.00
Electricity: £100.00
Gas: £100.00
Water: £20.00
Taxes: £50.00
Insurance: £10.00
Travel: £20.00
So you start with £1000
When you’ve paid all of the above you’re left with: £400.00
This is your working budget. Spend more than this and you’re going into debt. Debt is the enemy! You should always try to spend within your budget. Food, clothes, going out, holidays, petrol, everything that is not a regular bill will come out of your working budget.
Check your bank regularly, internet banking and telephone banking are very helpful in making sure you are aware of your spending.
Budgeting is the opposite of dieting, but both work in the same (although opposite) way: there are only two ways to improve your situation, get more money in or spend less money. (Dieting is use more calories up or take less in).
Being aware of your financial situation, however bad it may be, is always helpful. Remember that knowledge is power.
Next time: Bills
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