Planning your money

Taking the time to manage your money better can really pay off.

It can help you stay on top of your bills and will help you save money in the long run. You can use these extra savings to pay off any debts you might have, put them towards your pension, or spend them on your vacation.

Read on for money management tips, including how to set up a budget, sticking to it and how to save.

How to set up a budget

To get started on your budget, you’ll need to work out how much you spend on:

• Household bills
• Living costs
• Insurance
• Travel (car costs, public transport)
• Leisure (vacations, sport, restaurants).

After you gather all the information you need, it is best to put together a spreadsheet to keep track of what you are making and spending. This will allow you to add up your spending and compare it to your income or bank balance.

From there, it will take time to analyse your spending patterns so you know which areas you need to improve in. This will also give your insight on things you may have to pay for on a regular basis, such as bills or rent.

After you have worked out your budget, it is good to set goals for yourself. If you are trying to save up for something, try and set goals on where you can reduce your budget to save up extra money.

Figuring out your budget can by scary, but once you are properly planning your money you will be able to focus on other things and now worry about your budget as much.