Money Hack: Make Your 2023 Spending Plan

It's already the start of a new year, and if you're like many people, you may be thinking about your financial goals for the year ahead. One key aspect of achieving your financial goals is creating a spending plan that outlines how you will allocate your money throughout the year.

A spending plan aka a budget outlines how you’ll allocate your income and expenses, identify areas where you can save money, and make sure you have enough money to foot your bills.

Here are more reasons why making spending is a good idea:

• It enables you to understand where your money is going each month.
• It keeps you out of debt since you’ll live within your means.
• It allows you to align your spending habits with your financial goals.

Creating a spending plan can be overwhelming. Luckily,  here are steps to guide you. 

Step 1: Determine Your Income

To get a comprehensive understanding of your financial situation, it's important to determine all of your sources of income. This includes any salary or wages you receive from a job, income from investments, and side hustles such as freelance work. 

To estimate your total income for the year, add up the expected income from each source. If some sources of income are less predictable, you can use past trends to come up with an estimated amount.

Read Also: 7 Ideas to Diversify Your Sources of Income.

Step 2: Identify Your Fixed Expenses

Next, you’ll need to make a list of your fixed expenses. Fixed expenses are those that stay the same each month, such as rent, utility bills, loan payments, and insurance premiums. To track these costs, start by looking at past statements to determine how much you have been spending on each item.  By understanding your fixed expenses, you can better plan for your financial future and make informed decisions about your spending.

Read Also: Skills to Keep Your Income In Check.

Step 3: Identify Your Variable Expenses

Variable expenses are those that vary from month to month and may include items such as food, entertainment, travel, clothing, and medical bills. Also, examine your past statements or receipts to get an idea of your spending in each category. 

It's also important to consider any potential fluctuations in certain categories, such as travel expenses during holidays. By accounting for these potential changes, you can get a more accurate picture of your variable expenses.

Read Also: Needs Vs. Wants: A Budgeting Dilemma That Could Be Keeping You Poor.

Step 4: Identify Areas You Can Cut Back

Look at your income and expenses and see where you may be overspending or where you can find ways to reduce your expenses.

For example, you may be able to save money on transport by living near your workstation, or you may be able to reduce your energy bills by turning off lights and appliances when not in use. 

If you have a surplus, you can use this extra money to save or invest. 

Step 5: Set Financial Goals

Setting financial goals is an important step to take when budgeting.It’s helpful to break them down into short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. This will help you prioritize and make progress toward your financial objectives.

Here’s an example

• Short-term goals: Building up an emergency fund or saving for a family vacation. 
• Medium-term goals: Saving for a down payment for a house or saving for a big purchase item like a car. 
• Long-term goals: Saving for retirement or your kid's college education.

Whatever your goals are, make sure they are realistic and achievable within your means so that they don't become overwhelming later down the track!

When setting financial goals, it’s also important to consider both debt repayment. Repaying any outstanding debts should always come first as interest charges can quickly add up if left unchecked.  Once you’ve repaid your debts,  focus on building up an emergency fund that will help protect against unexpected events such as job loss or medical expenses. 

Read Also: 10 Long-Term Financial Goals to Start Today.

Step 6: Adjust and Adapt Your Budget as Needed

As your situation changes, be sure to adjust your budget accordingly. This ensures you stay on track with your financial goals. 

So, when should you change your budget? 

Adjust your budget whenever there are changes in your income, expenses, or, lifestyle that may affect how you spend your money. This can be as a result of:

• Loss of work
• Salary increases
• Unexpected medical bills.

When making budget adjustments, take stock of any changes in your financial situation, and implement new strategies. This means looking at your incoming revenue versus existing expenses and allocating excess funds towards your savings goals while leaving enough money for everyday living costs.

If necessary, prioritize debt repayment by transferring higher-interest debts into lower-rate ones where possible.

Read Also: 6 Simple Steps To Create a Working Budget.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, creating a spending plan is a crucial step toward achieving your financial goals. A spending plan helps you track your income and expenses, identify areas where you can save money, and ensure that you have enough money to cover your bills and reach your financial goals. 

If you haven't already, now is a great time to start creating your 2023 spending plan. By following the steps outlined in this blog post and making your spending plan a regular part of your financial routine, you can take control of your finances and work towards a more secure financial future. 

Remember to review your spending plan regularly and adjust it if need be.