Example household budget spreadsheet
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You can also cut these expenses if economic times are hard and you’re struggling to get by.Įxamples of nonessential expenses might include: If an expense is nonessential, that means you can cut it in pursuit of other goals. You might not incur the costs every month, but they’re big ones that you’ll want to save for and schedule.Ĭut or limit nonessential expenses as necessary. You’re also going to need to pay for maintenance. For example, if you need a car to get to work, every year you’re going to need to pay to get that vehicle inspected. These are expenses that you cannot live a healthy life without.Įssential expenses may occur every month, or they may be more irregular. In addition to these categories, you’ll want to tag each expense as either “Essential” or “Nonessential.”Įssential expenses include things like rent, mortgage, groceries, and utility bills. You can categorize them into groups such as: Now that you know what your expenses are, you’ll want to categorize them. You can simply download your statements from your financial institutions for the last three months, or import them using your favorite budgeting software or app. You don’t have to wait until three months from now to write your budget, though. Ideally, you’ll track your spending for at least three months. This will help remind you of the bills you pay on a monthly basis, identify bills you might be able to negotiate, and help you understand how much all those innocent-seeming $5 purchases you make here and there throughout the week can really add up. That’s why it is imperative to track your spending habits. Before you can change what you’re doing, you need to be aware of it. That’s a big part of it.īut at the end of the day, you’re not going to meet your financial goals if you don’t actually change what you’re doing. Sure, it’s about numbers and spreadsheets, too. Track your spending habitsīudgeting is all about modifying your behavior. Whatever your budgeting goals are, if you identify them before you start, it will help you prioritize your spending later on in the process. You might want to retire early or simply be able to go on a family vacation every year. Maybe you want to leave the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle behind. What was that event, and what about it motivated you to your money right? Odds are there was a defining event that led you to sit down and make a budget. Identify your household’s budgeting goalsīefore you get started with your family’s household budget, it can be helpful to sit down and identify your goals. Wonder no more! Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to build your monthly budget, along with an easy and absolutely free household budget spreadsheet. Money Dials could include things like fitness, convenience, luxury items, travel, self-improvement , and social status.Wondering how to make a household budget that works for your family? By honing in on your Money Dials-the things you really love to spend on-you can prioritize your spending in a way that makes sense for you.
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Following this logic, you categorize your expenses into essential fixed costs, important investments, savings goals, and-last but not least-guilt-free spending.īy allocating space in your budget for the fun stuff (minus the guilt), you’re more likely to stick to that budget in the first place. Instead, consider trying a conscious spending plan. The truth is that living a life of constantly telling yourself “no” isn’t sustainable (or enjoyable). Many people assume that effective money management means scrounging, saving, and never enjoying life. You might also have smaller, more short-term goals, like saving for your dream wedding or buying a luxury car. Smart money management can help you achieve those objectives. You likely have some financial goals in your life, whether it’s improving your net worth, paying off your college student loans, or achieving FIRE (financial independence, retire early). But without planning for expenses, a big income can lead to big debt. But it doesn’t have to be! I spoke with a couple in episode 114 of my podcast who overspent on holidays because their earnings combined were a lot. The entire point of these tools is to simplify money management so you can think about your money less, not more.įor many people, budgeting and planning for big expenses like vacations are a struggle. Simplified spreadsheets help develop your plan, and budgeting apps, like those that automate expense tracking, help you stick to it. Finally, you need to stick to your plan.īudgeting spreadsheets and tools are great resources for creating a conscious spending plan. You then need to decide how much money to allocate to each bucket. You need to start with a bullet-proof budget, categorizing all of your expenses into one of these four buckets: fixed costs, investments, savings, and guilt-free spending. Conscious spending is a great way to enjoy life while still building a financially secure future.