1. Look at Your Budget
Once you have a solid understanding of your income and expenses, it’s time to create a budget. Start by identifying your fixed expenses, which are those that are the same amount each month (like rent or a mortgage, car payments, cell phone bill and garbage service) as well as monthly utility bills. Also, consider any expenses that occur annually, such as property taxes, doctor or veterinary visits and vacation costs. Next, identify your variable expenses, which include items like groceries, clothes, entertainment and eating out. Scan through past credit card or bank statements to estimate these amounts, and remember to factor in any seasonal spending you might have.
Once all of your expenses are listed, add them up to get a true picture of where you’re spending your money. You can use an app or spreadsheet to do this, but even tracking your spending manually can help you get a better idea of what’s going on with your money. You might find that your spending on impulse purchases at Target is costing you more than the shoes are worth, or that you’re paying for recurring subscription services that you could easily cut.정보이용료 현금화
Then, compare your total expenses to your total income and see where the difference is coming from (or going to). If your expenses are higher than your income, you’ll need to make adjustments, whether it’s by cutting back on variable expenses, finding ways to increase your income with a side gig or safe investments, or eliminating debt through a repayment plan or a balance transfer.
Once you have a clearer picture of your spending, it’s important to review your budget regularly. This will keep you from getting blindsided by unexpected expenses and will allow you to adjust based on any changes in your financial situation. A good place to start is by setting a goal to review your budget at least once a month, but you can also make it more frequent if that’s easier for you. Keeping an eye on your spending will also help you recognize any bad money habits and start addressing them.