For the first time, a person meets the concept of "family budget" in childhood. In the parental home, the baby learns the model of handling money. It can be reasonable savings, and "holding out" from paycheck to paycheck, and savings for the sake of savings themselves. Having created their own family, newlyweds sometimes find significant differences between each other's financial rules. To avoid "monetary" quarrels, the family budget must be properly organized.
It is necessary
- - home finance accounting program;
- - a notebook in a cage;
- - calculator;
- - a pen.
Instructions
Step 1
Agree with your significant other on a way to manage the family budget. It is essential to do this before the wedding. There are three options: split, partially shared, and shared.
Step 2
In the first case, the husband and wife do not have common finances. Partially the joint option is a kind of compromise. The spouses agree on how much each of them will contribute monthly to the family budget, as well as what expenses will be paid from the total money. The husband and wife spend the remaining personal income according to their own opinion.
Step 3
With a joint budget, all spouses' income is added to a common wallet and spent on the needs of all family members. This option is most often chosen by young families. However, it requires the most careful planning.
Step 4
Analyze your income and expenses for 2-3 months. To do this, you will have to strictly control incoming funds and record all purchases. You can keep records using a special computer program, or you can do it the old fashioned way, armed with a pencil and a calculator.
Step 5
Be patient and consistent. Take notes daily, take into account all income, do not miss any expenses. Both spouses must take part in this important stage.
Step 6
After a scrupulous calculation, you will clearly understand the main types of family income and expenses. The main source of income is the wages of the husband and wife. Bonuses, part-time jobs, interest on bank deposits, rental income, etc. are often added to them. If older relatives live in the family, their pensions are also often included in the general wallet.
Step 7
Highlight the obligatory expenses: food, payment for housing and utilities, stationary and mobile phones, the Internet, travel in public transport or gasoline, payment of loans, expenses for clothes, shoes, hygiene items, etc.
Step 8
Find financial black holes. These are the purchases that are made thoughtlessly and seem not burdensome for the budget: another glossy magazine, or a blouse from a sale, or a bright fountain pen from a kiosk near the metro. On reflection, you will probably realize that the money spent on beautiful trinkets can be better used. However, do not consider spending on family vacations, going to the cinema and cafes, personal hobbies and other pleasant moments as unnecessary expenses.
Step 9
Start planning your family budget. On the first day of the new month, calculate the amount of mandatory payments and put it aside in a separate envelope. As soon as you get your hands on payment orders, immediately pay them with deferred money. This way you won't be tempted to spend it on something else.
Step 10
In another envelope, put the amount your family spends on food. From it you will take money when going to the supermarket or the market. Do not spend money from the "grocery" envelope for other purposes.
Step 11
The next envelope is a reserve one. In it, collect money intended for unforeseen expenses. Try to set aside some of your income. Start at 5-10%. Over time, you will be able to open a bank account, to which a certain percentage will be automatically transferred from each of your salaries. But while you are just getting used to planning your budget correctly, keep reserve money close at hand so that you can quickly eliminate the financial miscalculation.
Step 12
Divide the remaining amount into additional envelopes that reflect the needs of your family: “Clothes and Shoes”, “Leisure and Hobbies”, “Laundry and Cleaning”, “Education”, etc. Determine the amount of funds at your discretion. The main condition is not to change the purpose of the envelopes and not to transfer money from one to another.
Step 13
Once you have learned to control your monthly expenses, identify the major financial costs. These include the purchase of household appliances, furniture, a car, apartment renovation, vacation abroad, etc. Make a list of all the family's costly needs and desires. Then number them in descending order of importance: the first item is the most needed or desired thing, the last is a purchase that can be postponed for a while (no more than a year). For large acquisitions, you can save purposefully, reviewing expenses, or use part of the reserve money.
