Budgeting

by Jason Alderman

A budget is a plan for your future income and expenditures that you can use as a guideline for spending and saving. Although many Americans already use a budget to plan their spending, the majority of Americans also routinely spend more than they can afford. The key to spending within your means is to know your expenses and to spend less than you make. A good monthly budget can help ensure you pay your bills on time, have funds to cover unexpected emergencies, and reach your financial goals.

Most of the information you need is already at your fingertips. To create or rework your budget, follow the simple steps outlined below to get a clear picture of your monthly finances. You can also use our free online budgeting calculators below to budget for certain specific purchases or events.

1. Add Up Your Income

To set a monthly budget, you first need to determine how much income you have. Make sure you include all sources of income such as salaries, interest, pension and any other income–including a spouse’s income if you’re married. 

Posted on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 12:17 am | Category Business, News | Comment |