At the beginning of the month there is enough money, but by the end there is almost no money left? If this is about you, then it's time to start keeping track of your family budget. It may seem to many that it is very difficult and will only be possible for the most scrupulous. But it is not so. All you need is a simple program like Home Bookkeeping or even just a file where you will record your expenses and income.
Instructions
Step 1
Calculate how much money all working members of your family receive per month. Consider salary (actual, i.e. after taxes), additional income - scholarships, money from part-time jobs, bonuses, etc. The amount learned will be your monthly budget.
Step 2
Highlight the payments you need to make on a monthly basis. For example, it can be loan payments, rent for an apartment. Subtract them immediately from the total.
Step 3
From the remaining amount, subtract what you are saving - for example, for vacation. It is advisable to save the same amount all the time, which will not be too much for you, otherwise the money may not be enough for important everyday purchases. However, it makes no sense to postpone quite a bit or to do it from time to time, because then you risk not accumulating the required amount by the set time.
Step 4
Think about whether you are planning to make big purchases this month? If so, plan to spend on them and also subtract from the remaining amount. Also, do not forget about the possibility of unforeseen expenses (illness of relatives, urgent repairs, etc.). In order not to be left with an empty wallet by the end of the month and not to borrow from friends to solve problems that suddenly arise, it is better to set aside at least a few thousand for unforeseen expenses.
Step 5
All the remaining money is your food, everyday shopping, entertainment. It is this amount that you can freely dispose of without feeling the pressure of important monetary obligations. To spend this money rationally, try to start keeping a diary of income and expenses. To do this, keep your receipts from your purchases and record all your expenses. Subtract the amount spent each time from what you have left for food and daily necessities. This way you will see how much money you actually have.
Step 6
Review your expenses at the end of the month. Most likely, you will notice that there were also such purchases and expenses that could not have been made. In addition, you will see which expenses were more and which were less important. Next month, this analysis will probably make it easier for you to cut unnecessary spending and thereby save money on something meaningful.
