How To Make A Budget

The best way to save money and gain control over your finances is to make a budget. Follow these simple steps to make a budget that will save you money and bring you peace of mind about your spending.

Making a Budget

People often set their budgets according to a monthly schedule because most living expenses are based on monthly billing cycles. As such, it won’t hurt to spend one full month making your budget. That way you’ll come up with the most accurate data possible.

Record All Your Expenses

Keep track of everything you pay each month. This includes:

Rent/mortgage
Car payments
Car warranty
Utility bills
Student loans
Cell phone bill
Gas
Groceries
Insurance (car, health, or any other type)
Home warranty
Memberships to gyms or clubs
Charitable donations

Many of your monthly expenses are fixed amounts. But others, such as gas and groceries, will fluctuate from one month to the next. Round slightly up for these as it’s better to come up a little short of the intended number than to go over it.

Also, some payments such as car insurance might be quarterly or yearly. Figure out how much it equates to per month and factor the payment in that way.

Record Your Income

The next step is to tally up how much money you’re bringing in each month. If you have a job that pays hourly or by commission and each paycheck varies a little, round slightly down. It’s better to bring in a little more money than what you intended as opposed to coming up short.

Do the Math

Now that you know what’s going out and what’s coming in, do the math to determine how much is left over.

If the difference is positive (you’re making more than you spend):

Great! You have extra money that can be put in a savings account, vacation account, or to be used for fun spending money. Or, use it to chip away at those student loans or car payments. Remember, the faster you pay those off, the less you’ll spend in interest in the long run.

If the difference is negative (you’re spending more than you make):

You’re operating in debt and the sooner you can curb the momentum, the better. Examine your list of expenses and identify areas where you can trim some fat. For example, can you do away with the gym membership and get your exercise by running outside instead? Can you downgrade your cell phone, home internet or cable television plans? Is there a more affordable grocery store where you can shop or are there changes you can make to your diet that will impact your wallet?

Stick to Your Budget

There are many great ways to cut your spending without significantly changing your lifestyle.

Sticking to a budget can be difficult for many people, so figuring out a way to reward yourself for staying on task can help. If you have a First Bank personal checking account, the easy-to-use online MyMoney tool keeps track of everything for you in one spot. And the First Bank rewards program* is a great way to earn rewards for qualified purchases. This way, staying on budget doesn’t have to mean cutting out your favorite things.

Contact a First Bank Specialist Today

For additional help in creating a budget and getting on track to a healthy financial future, visit your local First Bank!

*Loans subject to credit approval. See our Terms and Conditions for complete details on our One Rewards Program. MasterCard, Debit MasterCard and the MasterCard brand marks are trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

———

Source:

The Simple Dollar: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/trimming-the-fat-forty-ways-to-reduce-your-monthly-required-spending/

Share:

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Compare First Bank Checking Accounts If you’ve begun the process to compare bank accounts, it’s important that you review the options that differentiate them. Fortunately, you have a local partner in First Bank — a bank that offers a variety of checking accounts, each with unique features. Compare Our Checking Accounts You can visit our website and use our checking account comparison chart** for additional information to supplement the summaries below. Everywhere Checking, our most basic checking account, comes with features such as free online and mobile banking*** and free online bill pay. It also offers the following: MyMoney: a free online budgeting and savings tool Free eStatements or paper statements Everywhere Plus includes all the great benefits of our Everywhere Checking account, plus: Earn interest on your balance Everywhere Premium includes all of the benefits of Everywhere Plus but with added features, such as: No First Bank transaction fees on out-of-network ATM withdrawals Free member checks or 50% discount on alternate check designs 4 free official checks per statement cycle First Bank also offers accounts for students and seniors. Our Campus Checking account is designed for high school and college students under the age of 25, and includes benefits such as: No monthly maintenance fees Mobile check deposit Easy money transfers between First Bank accounts Free online and mobile banking No First Bank transaction fees on 8 out-of-network ATM withdrawals per month Our Senior Checking account is for customers 55 and older and can be kept fee-free by meeting a minimum monthly direct deposit of $250.* Senior checking also includes: Free online and mobile banking Free basic checks or 50% off other designs Open an Account Today at First Bank Now that you’ve compared our bank account options, visit your local First Bank branch to open an account today. * Direct deposit defined as external ACH credit. Transfers from other First Bank accounts or deposits made at a branch do not apply.While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. **Account holders may avoid the Monthly Maintenance Fee by meeting any of the requirements listed in the Keep it Fee FreeTM section of the account summary table for their account type. Other account service fees 3 min read

How Much Should I Have in Savings at Age 35? How much money should you have in your savings account at the age of 35? It largely depends on when you started saving, your income and lifestyle, and whether you carry consumer debt. Savings for Adults in Their Mid-Thirties You might have heard friends, parents or financial advisors at local banks advise you to follow the 50/30/20 rule. If you follow this rule, you’ll break up your income in the following manner: No more than 50% of your income should go to required expenses, such as shelter or food. No more than 30% can go towards the wants in life, such as your gym membership or cable. The final 20% of your income should to towards savings, retirement and paying off debt. Some experts explain it another way and recommend that your savings should equal your salary by age 35. Still another way to approach savings is by using this guide from CNN Money. According to this, 35 year-olds should have saved the following, depending on their income: Income Estimated Amount in Savings $40,000 $60,000 $65,000 $97,500 $90,000 $135,000 $115,000 $172,500 However, this isn’t necessarily the case for many Americans, especially those with consumer debt or who didn’t get a job until later in their 20s. The savings goal at any age is simply to save so that you have an emergency fund, can pay off debt, and are able to invest. Now is the Time to Start Saving for Retirement Once you begin saving, it’s important to begin investing your wealth to let your money grow. This can be done through stocks and bonds, job promotions and salary increases, or even buying the apartment you’ve been renting. Your investment options should begin small and increase the more you save. Additionally, you should be making regular contributions to your IRA or 401k, whichever your company provides and matches. There’s no single answer to how much savings you should have by age 35. Ultimately, it comes down to your own unique budget and contributions. To learn more about savings at any age, contact your local First Bank* today. Our financial advisors can speak with you about your savings and help you plan for retirement. ——— Sources: CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/retirement/2015/09/01/how-much-do-i-need-for-retirement/2.html CNBC: http://www.cnbc.com/2014/02/10/qa-were-in-our-30s-how-much-should-we-be-saving.html Investment and insurance products and services are offered through Osaic Institutions, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. 3 min read

Fraud Protection Best Practices: When to use a Credit Card vs. a Debit Card Key Fraud-Related Differences Between Credit Cards and Debit Cards A credit card allows you to borrow money from a lender up to a set limit, with the expectation of paying it back later, often with interest if not paid in full. A debit card, on the other hand, directly withdraws funds from your bank account when you make a purchase, limiting spending to the amount in your account. Balancing credit and debit card use can enhance both security and financial stability. If someone steals your credit card information, they are effectively stealing the credit card issuer’s money, not directly accessing your bank account. This separation provides a crucial security buffer, giving you time to dispute charges without risking essential funds like rent or grocery money. In contrast, debit card fraud affects your checking account immediately, which can cause financial disruptions until the issue is resolved. First Bank Cardholders: Did you know that First Bank credit and debit cards offer Mastercard’s zero-liability protection? Whether you are using your First Bank credit or debit card, you’ll only pay for purchases that you have authorized on your Mastercard® card. Unauthorized purchases are not your responsibility. Instances Where a Credit Card can Offer Increased Fraud Protection Online Purchases Credit cards are generally safer for online transactions. They offer robust fraud protection, and most credit card companies monitor for suspicious activity, often reimbursing fraudulent charges quickly. Travel and International Transactions When traveling, especially abroad, use a credit card. Credit cards typically offer better fraud monitoring and reduced liability if your card information is compromised. Big-Ticket Purchases Use a credit card for expensive items like electronics or home appliances. Many credit cards come with purchase protection, extended warranties, and easier dispute resolution if something goes wrong. Recurring Payments or Subscriptions Credit cards provide better protection if you need to dispute unauthorized subscription charges, helping avoid interruptions to your service while the issue is resolved. Best Practices for Card Security Monitor Transactions: Regularly check both credit and debit accounts for unauthorized activity. Use Secure Websites: Look for “https://” in website URLs when shopping online. Enable Alerts: Sign up for transaction alerts for immediate fraud detection. Report Issues Promptly: The sooner you report suspicious activity, the better your chances of minimizing loss. Responsible Credit Card Use To maximize fraud protection while maintaining financial health, use credit cards responsibly by: Paying the Balance in Full: Avoid interest charges by clearing the balance each month. Staying Within Limits: Use only a portion of your credit limit to maintain a healthy credit score. Making Timely Payments: Pay on time to avoid late fees and credit score damage. 3 min read

Equifax Breach: FAQs and Resources A collection of helpful tips and FAQs in the wake of the Equifax breach. 3 min read

How To Make A Budget

Ready to talk to an expert?

Making a Budget

Record All Your Expenses

Record Your Income

Do the Math

Stick to Your Budget

Contact a First Bank Specialist Today

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...