28/06/2023
๐ต Adulting & Finance 101
Sharing with you simple tips regarding fixing or adjusting your finances which worked for me, hopefully it works for you as well.
1. Use a tracker. May it be a notebook, excel sheet, or an app. The most important thing is you monitor it. Remember that what gets measured gets done.
2. Track your non-negotiables first (bills/electricity/etc.) Things that should not be missed being settled. Write down the due dates for each.
Second, track down the variables, the things you want to save for but are not something that needs to be settled for urgently (travel, personal, etc).
3. Do not just budget but forecast. Forecasting your expenses and divide them between your payroll dates or commission dates.
Example: If you receive your salary during the 15th/30th of the month and your usual bill is PHP 3,000, then set aside 1,500 during the 15th and another 1,500 during the 30th.
Using this method, it will spread out your finances and make sure that you allocate them properly, giving you an even spread of your salary versus bills, especially if most of your bills come during the end of the month.
Also prevents you from being short at the due dates. ๐
4. Always remember the formula:
(income - savings - non-negotiables = expenses)
When you receive your income, set aside a fixed saving amount, then deduct your non negotiables, then deduct your variables if any, then whatever remains becomes your expenses for the coming weeks.
If you think, you're going to be short in the coming weeks then reduce your variables, not savings and definitely not expenses.
5. Discipline. It's hard at first but being broke is harder. Fix your expenses, if you cannot fix your expenses then fix your income. Look for a part-time or something to increase your income so you could allocate properly.
Fix the mindset and the habit will follow.
And yes, this is my accordion envelope. Medyo old school pero what works, works. ๐คฃ
I hope this works for you as it helped me through the years. ๐ I have more to share with you but hopefully this gives you a good start. Let me know your thoughts. ๐