Budget Basics
Consu
mer
Jung
leWhat is a Budget?
A plan for
spending and
saving money
“A budget takes the
fun out of money”
Mason Cooley
Consu
mer
Jung
leBudgeting: A Perspective“Budgeting has a bad rap. Too many people
who give budget advice are detail people and/or
control freaks. They make you think that if you
don’t record every taco and pair of pantyhose,
you’re on the road to financial ruin. You don’t
have to track every penny to have an effective
financial plan. The secret is setting priorities.
Pay yourself first, then pay your bills, then you
can blow what’s left with a clear conscience”
Ann Coleman
Consu
mer
Jung
leWhy Do Budgets Get a Bad Rap?
Does the mere mention of the word “budget” conjure up images of drudgery and deprivation? You’re not alone. Most people think budgets are
Rigid and inflexible Painful – who wants to eat Top Ramen
every night? No fun!
Consu
mer
Jung
leWhy Budgets Really Do Make SenseA good budget should help you set priorities
and achieve what’s important to you. Not
what’s important to your banker, your best
friend, or your relatives. A good budget
should be Flexible: It should change as your needs change. Ongoing: It’s not a one-time event. A budget
should be part of your everyday life. Clear and easy to use: 12 page spreadsheets are
out!
Consu
mer
Jung
leBudgets: Where to Start
Be clear on
what you make
and how much
you spend. Anticipate all of
your potential
expenses.
Consu
mer
Jung
leBudget Categories Income
GrossNet
SavingsEmergenciesLong-TermRetirementShort-Term
ExpensesFixedVariableDiscretionary
Consu
mer
Jung
leIncome: The Amount of Money Earned Gross income: An
individual’s income
before taxes. Net income:
Income after taxes
are paid. Fasten your seat
belts: Taxes can
range from 15% to
31%. Yikes!
Consu
mer
Jung
leThe Amazing Disappearing Paycheck Your first real job pays $30,000/year. You’re
rolling in the bucks, right? Not necessarily. Your salary is your gross income. Take off at
least 25% for taxes and other deductions.
That’s what’s left for you to spend. Example:
Gross salary = $30,000
Minus 25% taxes and deductions - 7,500
Net income $22,500
Quite a hit, huh?
Consu
mer
Jung
leSavings: Pay Yourself First Savings is unspent income. Types
Emergencies: Plan to set aside three months’
living expensesLong-term: Large ticket items (house, car,
college)Retirement: It’s never to early to startShort-term: Vacation, clothes, new skis
Consu
mer
Jung
leThe Power of Saving Early Save early and regularly. Then watch your
money grow!
If you start at age 21 with $1,000 and add
$50/month until you’re 55, you’ll end up
with $120,373!
You contributed only $21,400. The
remaining $98,793 is interest. You didn’t
have to lift a finger for it. Sweet deal!
Imagine if you saved even more monthly!
Consu
mer
Jung
leExpenses Expense: A cost
to meet a need
or pay a debt Types of
expensesFixedVariableDiscretionary
Consu
mer
Jung
leFixed ExpensesA cost that occurs
regularly and
doesn’t vary in
amountRentMortgageCar paymentInsurance
premiumSchool loansOthers?
Consu
mer
Jung
leVariable ExpensesA cost that occurs
regularly but may
vary in amountElectricityWater and
GarbageTelephoneGasolineGroceriesOthers?
Consu
mer
Jung
leDiscretionary ExpensesA cost determined
by personal wants
that may be
controlled Movies, videos, CDs Sports Eating out Grooming and clothes Concerts and plays Vacations Others?
Consu
mer
Jung
leSafe PercentagesThe percentages shown below represent guidelines for safe amounts for major budget items. These are guidelines. You may choose to adjust these, but remember, if you spend 80% of your income on housing, you’ll be eating lots of Top Ramen during the month!
28% Housing
16% Food
7% Credit Payments10% Saving
6% Clothing
20% Transportation
5% Health
8% Misc.
Consu
mer
Jung
leBudget Basics Summary Set your
priorities. What
do you want to
accomplish with
your money?
Establish a budget with the following:IncomeSavingsExpenses
• Fixed• Variable• Discretionary
End up with a budget surplus and you’re a success!
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