Bravera Bank


Budgeting

A practical, workable budget is one of the most crucial tools in your financial wellness arsenal.

Starting Points

Your budget is your blueprint for keeping cash flow positive, and for sticking to your saving goals.

If you have a partner, it's essential to have one overall household budget. That big picture is indispensable for having a good sense, based on actual numbers, of where the two of you stand financially, and how you plan to stay on track throughout the year.

Remember, a budget is there to help you, and it's not written in stone.

Whether or not you have a partner, start your budget by listing all your anticipated monthly expenses. It can be helpful to divide them by how frequently they occur.
 
Budget Calculator
Insert your monthly income and your monthly and yearly expenses to find out your net monthly and yearly income.
 

 

 

 

 

 

        Budget

$1,835
Monthly Savings
$22,020
Yearly Savings
 

 

 

 

 

 


Fixed vs. Variable

For the fixed expenses, such as rent or phone, it's easy to fill in the exact amount you know you'll have to spend. On the other hand, with the variable expenses, like groceries, there is no single amount you'll spend each month. But based on what you've spent in the past, you should be able to estimate a fairly accurate number for most weeks.

The next step is to compare your income to your expenses. In order to achieve (and maintain) a positive cash flow, you may have to adjust some of the variable expenses—which probably means cutting back or cutting some of them out altogether.

You should revisit your budget on a regular basis. Remember, it's there to help you, and it's not written in stone. Adjusting it if your overall household income changes is important.

 


Spread the Wealth

If your budget changes because you get an influx of cash, maybe from a bonus or an inheritance, you may be tempted to use it to cover increased variable expenses, like eating out, travel, or the newest phone. Certainly using some of the money that way is fine. But it's also a great opportunity to pay down debt or to increase what you're putting away in savings—either in an emergency fund, a retirement plan, or your investment portfolio.

Banzai Coach Session • 5 minutes
Create a Budget

  1. Create a budget that fits your lifestyle.
  2. Discover the importance of giving every dollar a job.
  3. See how to reduce spending for specific expenses.


 


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Disclaimer
While we hope you find this content useful, it is only intended to serve as a starting point. Your next step is to speak with a qualified, licensed professional who can provide advice tailored to your individual circumstances. Nothing in this article, nor in any associated resources, should be construed as financial or legal advice. Furthermore, while we have made good faith efforts to ensure that the information presented was correct as of the date the content was prepared, we are unable to guarantee that it remains accurate today.

Neither Banzai nor its sponsoring partners make any warranties or representations as to the accuracy, applicability, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose of the information contained herein. Banzai and its sponsoring partners expressly disclaim any liability arising from the use or misuse of these materials and, by visiting this site, you agree to release Banzai and its sponsoring partners from any such liability. Do not rely upon the information provided in this content when making decisions regarding financial or legal matters without first consulting with a qualified, licensed professional.











Need assistance with your budgeting? 

We're happy to help! Contact a banking advisor by calling 877-483-6811, contacting us online or scheduling an appointment.