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How to Budget for Life: Part 2

Using Your Budget

As described in Part 1, once you know how much money you're spending every month, it's time to develop and follow a budget. Budgets have three columns and in some ways look a lot like a worksheet.

Monthly Amount

This is the column that represents how much you expect to spend. You choose the amounts to reflect what you think is important – keeping in mind your long-term financial goals.

Actual Amount

This column tells you how much you actually spent this month.

Difference

This is the difference between the planned amount and the amount actually spent.

If you've spent more than you wanted one month, don't panic. Now that you have a good understanding of your money situation and where it's going, you can get creative and make informed decisions. Spent too much on clothes in May? Scale back a little in September. Too much take-out? Buy or make a few pre-made dinners or brown bag your lunches to offset the costs.

Note: You might decide that developing a budget that follows your pay period is easier. In that case, you could try a bi-weekly budget. It's important to remember to choose a budgeting plan that works for you.

Finding practical ways to cut expenses

There are always areas to scale back and cut down your expenses that eventually become habit. We have collected some common sense tips from a variety of sources and listed them below. These are general ideas and may not reflect your specific situation. However, they are provided as simple suggestions for shaving or finding extra money that may help out with your personal budget:

  • Brown bag it one extra day a week.
  • Share magazines and newspapers with coworkers and friends.
  • Use the Internet for news and research.
  • Have your morning coffee and muffin at home.
  • Use a list when grocery shopping.
  • Get a long-distance telephone package (or use e-mail instead).
  • Take a look at your cell phone bills. Are you really using up all those minutes? Can you switch to a better plan?
  • Accelerate your mortgage payments with extra payments to the principle.
  • Revisit your insurance — can you consolidate your home and auto insurance into a better plan?
  • Consolidate your borrowing at a better overall rate.
  • Check your bank statements to see if an all-inclusive monthly fee is for you.
  • Save stamps by paying your bills online, by phone or at an ABM.
  • Use public transportation more often or carpool.
  • Skip the movie theatre and wait for the DVD release.
  • Shut off the lights when you leave a room.
  • Save all your loose change.
  • Gather together all the stuff you don't use anymore and organize a yard sale in the spring.
  • Check your mail for coupons and specials at your grocery store (do the same for dining out).

Interested in more ideas? Just go online and search key words like "budget tips" or "saving money” – it’s that easy.

Again, the points above may or may not be applicable to your situation. Just remember that keeping an accurate record of your expenses puts you in the best position to effectively manage your budget.

There are some expenses that sneak up on you, but if you have a budget and know to look ahead, few of these expenses will be a surprise when they finally happen. Think emergency fund with a twist.

Most financial experts tell us to develop a traditional emergency fund with money often stored in a money market account or your bank's high interest account. This ensures you can access it easily, but the money still accumulates some interest. This fund doesn't always cover expenses if you feel the emergency is unexpected and the price is high, however.

A planned emergency

It’s always best to anticipate early when planning for an emergency. How? Pay yourself first and pay yourself often. If you were to put $50 in an easily accessible place every month, the money adds up and before you know it, you have money for the unexpected.

The beauty of the planned emergency fund, however, is that few emergencies are actually surprises. Suppose you know your house will need a new roof in five years. Determine how much you need to save, then put money aside on a regular basis to reach that goal.

Still retain a traditional emergency fund for true emergencies, but don't keep all your money there.

It also helps to include a category in your budget called "repairs and maintenance" or "future dental" or anything else you feel may become an issue years down the road. Remember to write them down, estimate the cost, and plan to save for them.

Peace of mind

Budgeting is a fundamental part of taking control of your present and future finances. By knowing exactly how much money you hold to save and spend, you are in a much better position to determine where that money needs to go and how much.

Now that we've given you an idea about how to set up a budget and how to follow it, the next step is up to you. Pay yourself first, use practical ways to cut your expenses, and learn how to anticipate expenses and emergencies. And remember to write down what you spend. Your long-term financial strategy will be better for it.

Scotiabank's Money Finder Calculator can help your determine your surplus or deficit by month or by year.

Points to keep in mind

Pay yourself first
Use practical ways to cut your expenses
Don’t panic if you go over your monthly budget
Anticipate expenses and emergencies

Scotiabank's Money Finder Calculator can help you determine your surplus or deficit by month or by year.