Budgeting is the way to achieve your goals, whether it’s to pay off your credit card debts, start a retirement plan, or set up an emergency fund. But as beneficial as it is, it’s not practised by most adults – in fact, a study by Credit Donkey found that most American adults don’t prepare a monthly budget. 

If you’ve never made a budget before but you want to be more responsible with your money, we’re here to set you on the path toward financial freedom. Build a budget you can live by and allocate your funds the proper way with these top personal finance strategies:

1. Go into budgeting with the right mindset

Your budget is designed to be a tool that allows you to meet your financial goals, from short-term goals such as setting up an emergency fund, to long-term goals like making a robust debt management plan. Without these goals, you may struggle to stick to your budget as you will likely wonder “what’s in it for me?”. 

With that in mind, the first thing you must do before budgeting is to identify your “why”. Understanding your budget’s significance will allow you to create a more positive and personal relationship with your money. If you make a budget with a negative mindset, or without any motivation, you may be tempted to break it along the way. Furthermore, if you vilify it and view it as something that’s preventing you from doing as you please with your money, you may be tempted to rebel. 

Remember to be realistic with your goals! If you aim to save $20,000 by the end of the year but you can only manage to save $1,000 a month, you might struggle to meet your goal, causing you to feel discouraged. This isn’t a competition, so set realistic set goals you know you can accomplish. 

2. Determine your monthly earnings

Calculate how much money you earn per month to know how much you can work with. Determine your monthly take-home pay from your job, making sure to deduct tax. If your monthly income is inconsistent (e.g. you’re a freelancer whose projects vary), just use your average monthly income. 

Pool all of the money you make from other sources, too. Do you have a side gig such as driving for Lyft or delivering food? Do you earn rental income? Do you receive financial support in the form of alimony? As long as it’s bringing money into your bank account, it counts! 

3. Total your monthly expenses

Once you’ve calculated your income, it’s time to see where that money goes at the end of each month. First, create a list of all your fixed expenses – these are expenses that cost the same from month to month, such as rent and utilities. Next, calculate your variable expenses – as the term implies, these are recurring costs that vary per month. For example, you buy food monthly, but the amount you pay for food isn’t consistent – some months you might spend $500 on groceries, while other months you might spend less or more. 

If you can’t recall where your money went and how much was spent, consider checking your credit card statements. For future expenses, use a spreadsheet or app so you can easily track your daily spending. 

4. Follow the 50-30-20 rule

Now that you’ve totaled your income and expenses, examine them side by side and ask yourself if you’re satisfied with the numbers. Note that these will only be estimates, but they should give you a good idea of where you stand financially. 

If you’re not proud of how low your savings are, it’s time to examine how you’re spending your money. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 50% of your monthly income toward needs, 30% toward wants,  and 20% toward debt and savings. Study the first two categories to see if you’re spending the ideal amount in each of them – if not, you’ll have to re-evaluate your priorities. 

Cut costs where you can. Start with your wants, but if that isn’t enough, go ahead and tweak your needs, as well. For example, maybe you could buy a cheaper homeowner’s insurance policy, or commute to the office so you can save on gas. When you limit your spending, you’ll have more savings per month. 

Of course, the 50-30-20 method isn’t the only way to manage your money. You could also try the “Budgeting by Paycheck” strategy, which is perfect for people who get paid bi-weekly. It’s where you use each paycheck for a certain budget category. For example, you could use your first paycheck for the month to pay for needs, while the second paycheck can go towards wants and savings. 

5. Break bad money habits

Bad habits will be the downfall of your budget. Even if you’ve designed your budget according to the best methods out there, you might end up self-sabotaging if you’re not careful with your money. 

Do you often use your credit card? Relying on credit can raise the risk of overspending, so you try to slow down with your swiping! Do you shop on impulse? Take time to think about big-ticket buys so you don’t ruin your budget. Can’t remember your bills’ due dates? Set reminders to steer clear of late fees and fines. 

Another way to stick to your budget is to have a “budget buddy”. Not only will they keep you accountable for your goals and targets, but they’ll also make sure your bad habits stay broken. 

6. Change your budget as needed

A common misconception is that budgets are set in stone. But over time, your goals may change, you may earn more (or less) than what you were earning when you made your budget, and life may get in the way. For instance, you might want to get into real estate investing, which means you’ll have to cut costs where you can. Or, you might have gone over budget last month due to a medical emergency. 

Every month, revisit your budget to make sure it still works for you. Tweak it as needed and ensure your new budget gets you back on track with your goals. 

7. Reward yourself for meeting your goals

Whether you aim to save $2,000 in two months or pay off your credit card debts, it’s important to reward yourself whenever you meet your goals. That way, budgeting won’t just be something you have to do, but an enjoyable, fulfilling experience. Celebrating your wins, regardless of how big or small, can help you feel more motivated to make sound financial decisions. 

Wrapping Up

By creating a budget, you can clearly see where your money is going, have more control over your finances, and be confident that you can handle life’s surprise expenses along the way. While it will take time to get used to budgeting, you’ll soon get the hang of it and experience its benefits for yourself. With these actionable tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a financially sound future.