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"I'm Sticking to a Strict Budget During the Pandemic But It's Making Me Miserable"
Give your savings account a nickname
When you give your online saving account a fun nickname, it will remind you why you are budgeting and saving.
Instead of an account no, change the name to something like "Quit this boring job" or "Italy trip post-pandemic."
52 SAVES
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
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Key Ideas
A Monthly Budget For Your Money
No matter how little or how much money you earn, creating a monthly budget is one of the most important aspects of managing your finances. What gets measured gets managed.
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The Envelope System
The Envelope system is a way to track your variable expenses like food, entertainment, and drinks.
This method, preferably used weekly, allocates a certain amount in each category in labeled envelopes (food, drinks, movies, etc.). Once the envelope is empty, you are done spending in that category.
How to Create a Good Budget
The principles that make a good budget, something you can stick to:
- Being Realistic: Being too strict is a recipe for failure.
- Making Adjustments: A budget is not set in stone, but a fluid thing.
- A Team Sport: If you live with a partner or spouse, you have to agree mutually on how to budget the financials.
- Expect the Unexpected: Keep an emergency fund, ideally 3-6 months of necessary expenses.
- Budgeting the Expected: Certain upcoming expenses need to be budgeted in advance, like property tax, holiday shopping, etc.
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Key Ideas
Myth: Shop Early for the Best Deals
While early holiday shopping can snag you discounts and the best selection, you are most likely to get the best deal just before holiday shopping.
Retailers need to move h...
Myth: Buy Coupons for Huge Discounts
Coupons are sold in lots to allow couponers to stock up on the best deals.
While coupons are great to save money, it does not make sense to spend on coupons in order to save. Coupons vary greatly by geographic location and store, and may not apply to your geographic area. Instead of buying coupons, get the Sunday paper for better ads, download an app or keep a coupon binder to stash extras.
Myth: Always Buy in Bulk
It makes sense to stock up on non-perishable items such as soap and canned goods.
However, buying wholesale perishable items like fruit and milk might mean it goes to waste if you can't consume it before the expiration date.
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Key Ideas
Steps of the zero-sum budget
- Determine how much you make on any given month.
- List your bills: Once you determine how much money you'll make this month, figure out how much money you need t...
The zero-sum budget
Using this method forces you to “spend” every dollar that you make, by allocating all of your earnings into the different categories that your finances require.
It prevents waste and maximizes your income, with the ultimate goal of reaching zero at the end of each month.