When working out our budget we should include all our outgoings to make sure that our regular fixed bills are covered. Here are a few tips to get you set up with good budgeting habits.
• Getting bills paid - including annual bills
Include annual and six monthly bills in your monthly budget so that there are no nasty surprises when the bill comes in. That means dividing annual sums into a monthly equivalent. Put this sum in to an interest bearing account.
• Save for special occasions in your budget
Birthdays and Christmas are not surprises - they happen every year. Include them in your budget. Think of it as a bill.
• Shopping
Always write a list when grocery shopping. Buy in-house product or non-branded items. Never shop when you are hungry. More ends up in the trolley that way.
While shopping at sales is a good idea don't just buy because something is on sale. The bargain of the century will just be clutter if it doesn't get used.
• Keep a note book of spending
This is particularly helpful in understanding where your money goes. It's very easy to start with $100 but have no idea where it's gone.
• Pay yourself first
Put aside something for yourself even if it's only $10 to start. To start with this might be an emergency account and later for a saving goal.
• Include entertainment
If you don't allow entertainment expenses budgeting becomes a dirty word and you won't stick to it. The trick here is to keep within your weekly allowance. Get the family involved in coming up with ideas to keep the spending down.
• Regularly revisit your budget
Make any necessary changes. See where you are going wrong, reward what is going well.
Budgeting will give you power and focus your mind but remember that although I previously stated that budgets are one of the building blocks of financial awareness, they are not set in concrete: they are really a living document. Make changes as needed and make sure that it works for you. Get into the budgeting habit - it's well worth the effort.
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