Day 3: Budgeting! We all know that budgeting isn't exactly the most glamorous task, but it's a necessary step toward securing your financial future. So, let's break it down step by step!
1. First, you need to calculate your net income - your take-home pay after taxes. Get a clear idea of what you're actually earning, and we'll take it from there.
2. Next, it's time to list out all of your monthly fixed expenses. This includes rent or mortgage, car payments, insurance premiums, utilities.
3. Once you've taken care of the fixed expenses, it's time to move on to the variable expenses. This category includes things like groceries, gas, travel, shopping, eating out, hair appointments, etc.
4. To accurately track your spending on variable expenses, look at your bank statements or credit card statements from the past 2-3 months. This will help you get a better idea of how much money you're actually spending each month.
5. Now that you have a clear understanding of your fixed and variable expenses, it's time to add them up. Get out that calculator and crunch those numbers! This will give you an average amount of money you spend each month - and hopefully, it's less than what you're earning.
6. If your expenses are greater than your income, it's time to make some changes and build better habits. This might mean cutting out unnecessary expenses or finding small ways to pinch pennies throughout the month.
7. Don't worry, we've got your back! In fact, on Day #7, we'll be sharing some great ideas on how to reduce your expenses. So be on the lookout for that.
8. Finally, it's important to schedule a monthly check-in with yourself to ensure that you're staying on track with your budget and overall financial goals. Trust us, this little bit of accountability can make all the difference.
