Feature Articles:
Budgeting & Saving
Learning for Better Living
Managing Your Money
PDF file available in both English and Spanish
Money is a limited resource. If you want to get the most
for your money, you need to have a Spending Plan or
Budget.
A spending plan or budget can help you:
- Get more for your money
- Meet your needs for living expenses
- Provide future security
- Stay out of debt
Steps in making a spending plan:
1. Set your spending goals.
- Write down your goals. Figure out how to work toward these goals. Work first on those goals that are most important to your whole family, such as saving for the down payment on a car.
2. List your expected income month by month.
- Total your income for each month. Write down how much income you think you will have over the next year. List income from all sources.
3. List all your expenses for each month.
- Look over old bills, receipts or checkbook records to see how much you usually spend. Keep track of everything you spend for a month or two. Total your expenses for each month.
4. Compare your income to your expenses.
- Adjust your plan, if necessary.
5. Try it! Put your spending plan to
work.
- Save all the receipts or
write down the amount. Keep all
the receipts in one place. Once
a week, record all the receipts
under basic spending groups:
food, transportation, clothing,
etc.
Your spending plan may not
work the first time you try it.
You may need to make changes to
your plan and try again.
Making a spending plan and sticking to it can help your family live
better on the money you have.
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Last update: Saturday, March 08, 2008
