It's All About the Money - Budget Your Best

Many of us find ourselves stumped finding the best and most efficient ways to budget our money. Here are four basic tips to help improve your financial situation.

1.           Create a Monthly Spread Spreadsheet

Creating a monthly spreadsheet is probably the greatest method to keep track of all your finances. It's not uncommon to desire nice things; a spreadsheet helps you navigate to obtain that desire. For instance, if you would like to get a new car but don’t have the available funds, a spreadsheet is perfect for you. It helps you structure your goals, and through saving, you’ll be able to have the things you desire. A monthly spreadsheet not only considers wants, but it also takes into account your sources of income, your spending, and your debt. Making a monthly spreadsheet may indeed be difficult and time consuming, so we identified a website that offers free spreadsheets, so you don't have to do any of the tedious work; all you have to do now is plug in the numbers!

https://knowtechie.com/20-monthly-budget-templates-in-google-sheets/

2.           Be Mindful of What You're Spending

Being mindful about everything in your life is essential. Yet being cognizant of the money you spend is one of the most difficult. In our society:

•            We try to catch up on our favorite tv shows that are only available on certain streaming platforms.

•            It's easier to eat out rather than cook.

•            You know that the clothes you saw in an online ad would look great on you.

However, it's critical to be aware of these expenses by asking oneself questions during the transactions:

•            Is it really necessary to have five streaming platforms?

•            Is it possible for me to schedule cooking meals on particular days?

•            Do I truly need these new shoes right now?

By asking yourself these simple questions, you may develop better alternative strategies to help you be more conscious of how you spend your hard-earned money.

3.           Save Money for Rainy Days

Unfortunately, bad days happen. One day you're driving in the city when you encounter the city's notorious pothole, flattening your tire. It’s incredibly difficult to pay for such expenses if you do not have a plan in place for these "rainy days." Emergencies are inevitable, so put aside some funds to ease the blow.

4. Pay Off All Debt

Debt is inconvenient by itself, but it becomes even more cumbersome as the interest increases. To truly be able to look forward to the future, it is critical to focus on paying off debt. Once your debts are paid off, you are free to focus on other critical financial successes such as retirement, purchasing a vacation home, or buying whatever your heart desires. Paying off debt will catapult your future financial success while sustaining your legacy.