When the subject is about finances, the atmosphere can get tense. A lot of people are familiar with the saying, “money can’t buy everything.” While this is true, financial stability is only one aspect of overall wellness. However, some purchases are essential in building a stable future for yourself and your loved ones and cushion you from emergencies that may strike at any time.
Budgeting money, tracking expenses, and creating separate accounts for savings, income, and emergency funds are some of the necessary steps in proper financial management. While these things may be common knowledge for some, it’s still pretty challenging to follow through.
There are many Filipinos who are living paycheck to paycheck due to plenty of factors. For some, they just aren’t earning enough for them to set aside something for the future. Others work multiple jobs, and due to the burnout, are more likely to spend money on recreational activities to get themselves mental health breaks from their tasks.
Others are too easily swayed by ads or the urge to shop, while some aren’t just supporting one family but two or more. Saving money seems like a simple concept, but in reality, it’s easier said than done. So, if you came here wanting to learn different yet effective budgeting methods, you’re in for a treat.
The Concept of Budgeting
Budgeting is one of the most crucial steps in saving money. It allows you to get an overview of your finances and plot where you’ll be spending everything, down to the last centavo. It also keeps you accountable for where you’re putting your money.
Over the years, it has gained an intimidating ring to it for being tricky to sustain. Some people give up too quickly, while others just aren’t prepared with the needs they have to attend to in the event of an emergency.
The secret to hassle-free budgeting is discovering as many techniques as you can. Try them out to see which works for you best. There are many ways to build a better budget, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to those who want to start. It’s a good idea to gather information and evaluate where you can begin, so it all doesn’t seem as scary.
Top 5 Budgeting Techniques to Help You Save Money
Some of the popular budgeting techniques are:
- The 52-week Money Challenge
- The 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule
- The Envelope Budget System
- The 6-Month Emergency Fund Rule
- The 80/20 Budget Rule
Below is an illustrated guide to help you solve bad money habits and get into the world of proper budgeting. It will also give you insights on which person the technique suits best, helping you identify the ones you can try soon.
The hardest part here will be starting a budget from scratch, so don’t be afraid if things get messy or too difficult to follow in the beginning. Think of this as an investment for your future! Once you’ve found a method that works well for you, it will be easier to maintain.