Unexpected injury? Refrigerator stops working? House fire? You have some money set aside in case insurance doesn’t cover what you thought it would. Saved money is perfect for times when you need to pay for something that costs more than what you budgeted for. “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” Proverbs 21:20 Life happens when you least expect it, which is why regardless of which month it is, you should never spend all you make. Known costs are a thing, and planning for that will help you in the long run. Knowing in advance is great, like during Christmas, you’ll likely need to save a little more to buy gifts and décor, or you know you have a wedding coming up in June, so you should set aside some money for a wedding gift that month. “A wise man thinks ahead a fool doesn’t, and even brags about it!” Proverbs 13:16 You never know what is going to come up, whether it’s a happy surprise like a last-minute birthday gift or an unfortunate surprise like a damaged car. Don’t delegate money in maximums delegate it into the minimum amount you can spare for each category so the extras get saved. It can be hard to stick to your budget when you don’t account for upcoming expenses, which is why putting money away is just as important as figuring out how much you should spend. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 Plan Ahead, and Save Your Money A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. God will always provide, and I firmly believe that He will make sure you’re never without if you’re giving. That $20 which was a small amount for you could make all the difference for someone else. There’s a lot of discourse about 5% or 10%, which is appropriate, but at the end of the day, giving is giving. We often feel pressure to give a lot or a certain amount, and that’s the only way it counts. In one of my college classes where we discussed money, one of my professors gave me a piece of advice I remember when considering how much or if someone should give. And giving feels better than a latte ever could. In terms of helping you stick to your budget, I find that I’m less tempted to stop for an extra Starbucks I didn’t account for if I know that money would be coming out of what I could give at the end of the month. While creating a budget, I think that giving should be a priority for everyone, and like the Bible says, do it as cheerfully as you can. The last sentence of my previous tip, in my opinion, is one of the most important. If you do find you need assistance, consult with a family member or friend that you trust to help. I get it, I’m NOT a math person, nor was I an Excel person, but I have a simple spreadsheet that anyone could make. It’s wise to have a plan, and one of the most intimidating parts of making a budget can be all the numbers to keep track of. As prices change, the way we allocate what we spend has to change. It also gives you a more accurate idea of what you’re working with.Įven if you currently have a budget, it may be time to reassess it. Seeing the numbers physically laid out in front of you can be one of the most impactful ways to keep yourself in line. It sounds intuitive, but if you want to stick to your budget, you need to have a budget in the first place. To Stick to a Budget, You Must Have a Budget And to rise to that challenge, there are a few surefire strategies you can use to stick to that budget no matter what. It can be challenging to stick to your budget, but it can be much more challenging and stressful in the long run to end up spending more than you can afford. However, regardless of the time or the circumstances, regardless of if you’re a party of one or paying for a family, having a good, well-thought-out budget in place is a necessity. Gas, groceries, restaurants, and activities living just seems to cost more these days, and having money put away for emergencies or spending wisely has never been more important. It’s no secret that prices around the country have gone up.
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