Budgeting 101: The Ultimate Easy to Use Budgeting Tool

Everyone struggles to make their budget work. This tool will help you maximize every cent you earn. The key to any budget is to stick to the budget no matter what, and for that reason you must try and account for every little expense that you have.

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Income

This is the money coming into your bank account every month. Your income can consist of a salary and if you have a second stream of income from your own business then you need to add that in this section. Be sure to declare any extra income that you earn to the tax man.

Expenses

These are the things that you spend your well earned money on every month. There are so many different expenses, be sure that you account for all of them.

Household expenses

The following is listed under household expenses:

• Mortgage if you own your own house or Rent if you are renting property from a landlord
• Groceries: This will include food, cleaning material and everything else you need around the house on a monthly basis
• Household items: From time to time you will need to buy things like cups, curtains, toaster or anything that breaks and needs to be replaced
• Electricity Bill
• Heating Bill
• Household insurance

Child Care

The following is listed under child expenses:

• School Fees
• Pocket Money
• Toys
• Clothes
• Extra Activities

Travel Expenses

The following is listed under travel expenses:

• Car Payment: If you bought a car and still owe money, this is the amount that you pay each month on the car loan
• Car Servicing: You don’t have to service your car every month, but you need to budget for it. The tool is designed to make this easy, just enter how often you service your car and how much a service costs.
• Insurance
• Petrol/Diesel/Gas: The fuel you put into your car. The tool is designed so you can see what you spend driving to work as well as for pleasure.
• Bus/Taxi/Train

Communication

The following is listed under communications:

• Land line phone
• Mobile phone
• Internet

Entertainment

The following is listed under entertainment:

• Cable TV/Satellite TV
• Eating Out
• Holiday
• Movies/Shows

Personal Care

The following is listed under Personal Grooming:

• Clothes
• Shoes
• Hair
• Make-up

Debt

The following is listed under debt:

• Credit Card
• Personal Loan

Savings. Savings are possibly the most neglected part of any budget because after all the expenses have been subtracted from the income you’re left with nothing. If you have any debt, first pay it off before you think of saving.