We’ve all heard the saying we plan to fail when we fail to plan. This is absolutely true when it comes to our finances. We want to show you how a budget can help.

A budget is simply a plan. A sort of financial map to direct your money. Some of the benefits of a budget are:

1. It helps you to understand your spending habits.
2. It alleviates the unknown. A budget helps by keeping you aware of what is coming in versus what is going out
3. Helps keep you accountable. It also helps keep you on track.
4. It helps with impulse spending as you can clearly see where the money should be going.
5. As you fine tune your budget; it gives you a starting point to help reduce spending.
6. A budget can help prepare you for things like emergencies and retirement.
7. A budget can help to curb anxiety about money matters.
8. Knowledge is power. This is just as true with a budget. Knowing where there are flaws in your budget gives you a chance to fix them.
9. A budget will help you save that hard earned money. It’s amazing how little things can quickly add up. We often miss how much we are truly spending on things.

A budget won’t happen overnight. It takes time and a few adjustments to figure out. Once you find the right balance a budget can bring order and peace of mind to your financial situation.

Many people are overwhelmed at the idea of a budget. They aren’t sure where to begin. Those that know where to begin aren’t sure how to keep it up. Like anything else worth doing a budget takes time and effort. In the end though it really is worth it.

One problem we see quite often is over complicating your budget. Over a series of articles on the site we will help you with ideas for each of these areas. Watch for our first one on budgeting terms and categories!

Don’t miss out on more budgeting ideas be sure to check the rest out HERE!