Creating a budget is simple, sticking to it is hard.
If you really want to manage your finances successfully, you need to make a conscious decision to commit to it and change your spending habits accordingly.
That can be a challenge, especially for those who aren’t really used to it. But just like any other skill, learning how to do it successfully gets easier with consistent practice and through the help of these 5 simple strategies.
1. Write down your goals.
Aside from outlining your income and expenses, make sure to write down your financial goals. Having a goal for your money will motivate and encourage you to stick to your budget and avoid unnecessary spending. Make your goals realistic and specific. Set a specific date on when you should accomplish it.
2. Drop the credit card.
Credit Card takes the pain out of “paying.” It’s the culprit for unnecessary spending. So just drop the credit card and pay cash for your purchases. This way, you’ll see money leaving from your hands and hopefully, this will encourage you to spend wisely.
3. Use Envelope System.
One helpful budget tip is to use the Envelope System, where you use cash for different categories of your budget inside envelopes. A few examples of these categories are groceries, gas, restaurants, entertainment, etc. When spending, no money comes out of a certain envelope to pay for something that doesn’t belong to that specific category. And the money in that envelope will not be refilled in case you spend them all, not until the next month.
4. Reward yourself.
Strict and successful budgeting is far from self-deprivation. Don’t be too hard on yourself and have a little (smart) fun along the way. Reward yourself with an enjoyable treat to keep you motivated. Remember not to go overboard and waste all your efforts.
5. Surround yourself with budget-conscious people.
You know what they say, “you are the average of the 5 people you most associate with.” So spend more time with budget-minded folks who can influence you to make good financial decisions.
