The impact of the pandemic continues to linger and leak into the new year. Although many people were hit with hardship, there is still hope to save money in the future. The first action plan is to finalize a budget plan and stick to it. A budget tracks spending and earnings throughout the day, week, and month. A good plan ensures savings and can pay off debts. A budget plan is not complicated to make and is easy to follow.
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Calculate Your Income
The first step is always easy. Calculate what you expect to make in 2022. Make sure to base this on your average earnings. If your paycheck has stayed constant throughout the years, it is simple to calculate your total earnings. However, sometimes this step can get confusing if specific bonuses or tips are not guaranteed for 2022. In that case, find the average amount of earnings you will make monthly and estimate it for the entire year. Helpful note: always account for taxes. Estimate your net income instead of your gross annual income.
Calculate Expenses
This step may take some time. After all, there are a lot of expenses in today’s world. Here are just a list of a few things you should account for:
- Rent or Mortgage Payment
- Student Loans
- Car Payments
- Credit Card Payments
- Health Insurance
- Utilities (internet, water, electricity)
The expenses listed above are easily calculated. Most of the time, the cost won’t change per week. However, fees like groceries vary per month. The best way to calculate inconsistent expenses is to average the cost and use that as the amount paid per month. Take a look at your credit history and download a copy of all transactions from the past month. A reading of your expenses ensures an accurate calculation of all fees.
Update Budget Plan As Needed
The point of a budget is to save money. So if the plan is not reaching the goal, it is time to change it. First, plan for a specific goal. It can be as simple as saving $50 a week. After one month, how is that plan working? If you are not hitting $50 a week, it is time to switch priorities. Figure out where the money is going and why you can’t meet the $50 mark. Check in on the budget plan per month to see how far you have come in your monthly or weekly goals. Adjust the goals as necessary and do not get discouraged. There are plenty of reasons why a plan does not go well.
Why Budget Plans Fail
The only way to ensure a budget plan is to stick to it. The reason why people fail their budget plan is through impulsive spending. There are plenty of factors that go into impulsive spending. It does not mean buying new earrings or a gaming console. Instead, it can be another drink at the bar or buying another streaming service package. The spending is not always extravagant, but rather, the little expenditures add up over time.
Start A Budget Plan Today
A budget plan may sound intimidating. Fortunately, some companies can help through a budget app. Budget apps track everything listed above for you. All you have to do is import your financial information, and the app does the rest. Don’t lose hope, there are plenty of ways to budget for 2022. Start a plan today and save money for tomorrow.