Budgeting 101 Minding Your Finances Balancing Your Life

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 1. You have to earn more than you spend Sure, short-term loans and credit card debt can get you through a crunch period, but in the long run, you need to bring in more than you are shelling out. This means paying bills first and prioritizing fun expenses. You can also save quickly when brainstorming free fun activities vs always having to spend.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 2. Saving early will help you save more Start saving even a little every paycheck long before you need it. Begin your savings plan by setting aside what you may need someday vs spending what you do not have. This delayed gratification will always leave you with more money and will help you curb emotional spending.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 3. Balance high and low risk savings Short-term savings, like bank accounts, give the lowest return on your money but serve as an emergency fund or for a down payment. Higher risk savings, such as stocks, give a stronger return over time. Stocks, mutual funds and equities are for retirement.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 4. Diversify for lower risk If you diversify your savings between stocks, mutual funds, index funds and IRS’s, you prevent great losses when one sector is in a down time.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 5. Protect yourself from identity theft Identity theft is a rising problem in the financial world. One way to protect yourself is to monitor activity on your accounts. Reviewing your monthly statements for unrecognizable charges helps to quickly alert your bank, who can easily replace your cards.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 6. Invest in insurance for overwhelming situations Many people decide to underinsure only to find themselves overwhelmed financially in unforeseen tragedies. Take out policies for homeowners, health, long-term care and life insurance for important protection.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 7. Enroll in an automated savings program It is amazing how quickly savings can build when it is directed before we can see and especially before we can spend it. Many employers and banks make this type of savings easy.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 8. Keep your debt as low as possible Debt is not a bad thing when it helps you to get an education or purchase a house or car. Making regular payments on debt also contributes to a higher credit score. Consider adding to your monthly payment for the benefit of paying debt off early. It is amazing how much can be saved when paying a house or car off early. Then consider continuing the monthly payment or even a portion of it into your savings account since you were not using this money anyway.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 9. Know your credit score A credit score determines the interest you are charged on a loan. Take advantage of the free credit report at annualcreditreport.com. You can then manage and correct errors.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Money 10. There is always more to learn Whether you are reading articles, consulting your tax or financial advisor, embrace the ever-changing world of finances by seeking out the newest and most helpful information. Continuously learning will make a big difference in your financial health.

About That Budget Since everyone is different, then one size does not fit all for budgeting. So, we will give two different examples of how to create and stick to a budget plan. The ultimate goal in budgeting is to be aware of what you are spending, question what does or does not need to be spent and as a result, increase savings, right?

Structured Budget The first example we will share is a structured table of tracking expenses, income and savings. This is worked out best over several months of tracking and learning what is most consistent and realistic. See “Sample Budget Plan” in this same section. Other ways of tracking are to download a free app such as Mint.com or system such as “Meet Every Dollar” at Daveramsey.com

Expense Tracking The second example is a less structured tracking and categorizing of expenses, income and savings. This is also worked out best over several months of tracking and learning what is really happening with your money. It also helps you question spending as you track in the first several months. See “Sample Tracking Plan” in this same section. You are also able to take advantage of many free online tracking tools listed at budgeting-tools/

Making Your Budget Work A budget can be like a diet with best laid plans that are just that, laid aside or dropped while real life goes on. Being financially fit is the same as being physically fit. It is a process that, if you stick with it succeeds over time by constantly getting back on track.

Making Your Budget Work Ways to Stay on Track and Make Your Budget Work! 1. Start with simple goals – Start with the first small thing you want to accomplish, then move on from there, step by step.

Making Your Budget Work 2. Question credit card use – Are you pulling that card out too often? Is it best to keep it out of your wallet? Is it better to keep a debit or a credit card? Do you know the balance at all times?

Making Your Budget Work 3. Develop Your cash advantage – Your spending could be reduced or even revolutionized when you draw from a decreasing fund in your drawer or wallet.

Making Your Budget Work 4. Limit cash withdrawals – Try withdrawing on a regular weekly or monthly basis to curb your spending. It is amazing how mindful you can become when the fun money is a limited pool to draw from. Once again, you can become amazingly creative when you are excited by reduced debt and increased savings! It is also a great things to teach children and influence other adults to live within or below your earnings.

Making Your Budget Work 5. Set aside time to review expenses – Create an envelope at home for receipts and review weekly or monthly. Also, review your bank statement when you are paying other bills as a check and balance system.

Making Your Budget Work 6. Look for that cash drain – When you follow a regular system of reviewing expenses, you will always be surprised by where your cash is draining or leaking out of your budget. This will create changes in your spending as what you focus on your reinforce.

Making Your Budget Work 7. Pay bills early – This may be tough, but will help to avoid any late charges, which are always a surprise hit on your income!

Making Your Budget Work 8. Avoid shopping as a past time – Eat before shopping at grocery store to reduce impulse purchases, take a list, or give yourself the 24 hour rule of sleeping on it before making bigger purchases.

Making Your Budget Work Have fun – Think of your budget as a great tool for freedom vs a restriction. It will free up money over time and help you reach your goals!

Ask for Help! Employee Assistance is available to help you with free financial advice and help with a budget. Give us a call Anytime!! – Omaha – National EAP Line