Did you know that the amount of money determines not only the level of family wealth, but also the harmony of relationships. Interpersonal relationships reflect both a friendly solution to financial problems in a couple, and scandals between partners on a monetary basis. If in your family the only problem is money, then it is worth doing family bookkeeping and learning how to plan a budget.
We would venture to assume that every month you ask yourself two questions: where to get money and how to spend it correctly. Couples most often don't get to the second question if they can't cope with the first. And if, nevertheless, you have coped with the first question, then you do not know how to make it to the salary. Then you should analyze your spending and start keeping a budget.
In order to make a financial analysis you need:
- Record all your expenses daily. Even small expenses are no exception, such as travel on the bus or a snack on the run. This can help you understand how often you can afford to take a taxi or dine in a restaurant.
- you need to monitor your actions. Are you making unplanned purchases? Do you make a buying decision spontaneously? Do you forget about holidays, anniversaries, wedding invitations? Are you putting off a big purchase for later because your budget is overwhelming right now?
By the end of the month, we conclude that the family has sufficient income, but the expenses are exorbitant. You need to make a budget for the next month. So you've got your salary, but don't rush to spend. Let the money lie in the wallet for a day, so to speak, "overnight." The next morning, the urge to spend will subside a little. You should not put large sums in your wallet, because their presence always prompts you to buy something unnecessary, but cute. When there is not enough money in the wallet to buy, then the desire to buy something cute disappears. And then, on reflection, you already understand that this purchase was not so necessary.
Money loves counting, so counting money more often is organizing and sobering. This will help you quickly identify the "black hole" in your budget, which is sucking out money that is not useful.
It is necessary to postpone. You can start with a small amount, let it be 10 percent of your income, but you can postpone at least a little from any salary.
Discuss spending with your family, and let your children take part in the conversation. This does not mean that the child can decide what to spend money on and what to make purchases. But on the other hand, the child will listen and understand the structure of the budget, as well as the criteria for making financial decisions.
You need to save your budget. But let the economy not come to fanaticism, since this is not the only way to the well-being of the family. Shop at sales, install utility meters, use friends and family discount cards, these methods allow you to save your budget without tightening your belt.
There are several options for managing your family budget. If both partners are working, then there are several ways to keep the family budget. The first method is that all the money is added to the total amount and the decision on large purchases is made at the family council, but each family member takes small things without reporting.
The second method of budgeting is to add up the total expenses in one place. Each family member contributes a portion of their income.
The third method is that the spouses spend their money at their own discretion, and the payment of utility bills and other obligatory expenses are made according to a certain scheme developed by the partners. Thus, the spouse can buy groceries and pay the cash expenses for the children. The wife pays utilities from her income. Or, perhaps, each partner buys into the house, which he sees fit, and the basic obligatory expenses are distributed equally. At the same time, everyone has money separately, there is no total amount.
To understand where the money "goes", start keeping your family budget. So it will be easier for you to assess the financial capabilities of the family and adjust spending.
