Let’s Talk BUDGET!
Let’s Talk BUDGETING!
A budget by definition is - an estimate of income and expenditure (expenses) for a set period of time.
A budget helps to visually see what money comes in and what money goes out, it can help achieve a certain goal, aid in not spending money you don’t have, prepare for emergencies, pay down debts, plan for retirement, plan for vacations, new homes, or just help you to be in control of your finances.
The importance of a budget is for you to know where your money is going and how to manage it.
I will link a few amazing budget items that can help you on your budgeting journey.
Budget Categories and what each category should include - Take what you need and leave what doesn’t pertain to you. This will help you to know exactly where to place your money each month.
Household Budget
- Mortgage/Rent 
- HOA Fees 
- Property Taxes 
- Home Insurance/Renters Insurance 
- Utilities – cable, internet, trash, water & sewer, electricity, gas, cell 
- Lawn care 
- Home repairs & appliance replacement (This could also be included in your emergency budget) 
- Tools & Supplies 
Personal Use Budget
- Makeup 
- Hair Products 
- Hair Appointments 
- Vitamins 
- Menstrual Products (Pads, Tampons, Liners) 
- Clothing & Shoes 
- Physical Activity (Gym membership, fitness subscription, exercise equipment, fitness class cost) 
- Self-care activities (Waxes, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, etc.) 
Medical Budget
- Health Insurance Premiums 
- Health Insurance Deductible 
- Co-pays 
- Prescriptions 
- Dental Insurance 
- Orthodontics (Braces, Invisalign) 
- Eye Care (glasses, contacts, contact solution) 
- Therapy 
- Life insurance 
Work Budget
- Uniforms or Work Clothing 
- Dry Cleaning 
- Transportation (Parking Fees, Tolls, Train/Bus Fare, Uber/Lyft) 
- Professional Fees & Licensing (Renewal Fees, Certification Fees 
- Equipment, Tools & Supplies 
Transportation
- Gas 
- Car Payments 
- Car Insurance 
- Tolls 
- Car Repairs 
- Car Registration 
- Public Transportation 
- Car Maintenance (Oil changes, services, new tires, etc.) 
- Parking fees 
Family
- Groceries 
- Restaurants & Take-out 
- Subscriptions (Netflix, Peacock, Disney+, Amazon Prime, etc.) 
- Household Supplies (Cleaning Products, Laundry Products, Soap, Paper Goods, etc.) 
Saving & Debt
- Emergency Fund 
- Sinking Fund (Home repairs, Car Repairs, Vacations, Holidays) 
- Retirement Contributions 
- Charitable Giving 
- Minimum Payments 
- Fees & Charges (new card fees, late fees, overdrafts, etc.) 
- Personal Loan Debt/Credit Card Debt 
- Student Loan Payments 
Gifting
- Birthday Gifts 
- Graduations Gifts 
- Holiday Gifts 
- Baby Shower Gifts 
- Job Promotion Gifts 
Fun Money
- Event Tickets 
- Concerts & Festivals 
- Happy Hours 
- Date Nights (Girls/Guys’ Night Out) 
- Vacation 
Pets
- Initial Pet cost 
- Veterinary Care (Shots) 
- Pet food 
- Toys, Leashes, Cages, etc 
- Grooming 
- Pet Sitting Fees 
Do these categories apply to you? Was there anything that you still need a category for? Are you ready to start this budgeting journey?


 
 
             
             
            