September 12th 2008
A Good Budget Leads to More Available Income
It might seem that developing a budget should be an elementary task. But many people are simply not inclined to use spreadsheets, balance checkbooks or lay out a formal budget. Whether by nature, or as a result of a reaction to public school mathematics training, some people just aren’t ‘number people’.
Even if a person is not good at budgeting, the benefits make it worth the effort, even if it requires getting outside help. A good budget accounts for monthly income and expenditures, and anticipated changes in these. It is also important to plan for unanticipated changes.
A spreadsheet can be helpful and can be easily obtained free of charge. However, if this approach is intimidating, pen and paper will work just as well.
Whether you are using a spreadsheet or a notepad, here is an easy method to follow: Separate your page into two columns, one for income and one for expenditures. Expenditures should include regular monthly bills, amounts spent on food, transportation and other routine expenses. If possible, include an extra 10% for miscellaneous expenses that you could not anticipate.
To get an idea of how you can increase your available income, make another “hopeful” budget. List your income the same as in your real budget along with your monthly expenses that are unchangeable. What will be the difference in your “hopeful” budget?
Exclude monthly credit card interest amounts. Exclude auto loan interest. Exclude 25% of any ‘impulse buy’ amounts. Then sum the total of those three.
Possibly non-essential expenses make up only a small portion of your total expenditures. However, even if the total is a minimum 10% by eliminating them you can notably increase your available income.
No one but you, being as realistic as possible, can decide whether that 10% overhead you pay is worth what you get in return - having certain items earlier than you would by saving for them. But, consider this: saving that 10% APR paid on $2,000 for one year is: $110. And many people pay only the minimum monthly payment, which amounts to much more. That’s $110 you are paying solely to have something costing $2,000 a year earlier.
Your spending habits are your decision. Having a good budget will help you decide how to use your income wisely.
