Finance

Top 17 Biggest Budgeting Mistakes You can Avoid

Budgeting Mistakes

Budgeting doesn’t mean denying yourself the things you want. is a great budget account that allows you to purchase incidentals and pay your bills and save money for the future.

False perceptions of budgeting can lead to many people making mistakes or giving up on the idea altogether. These are the most common budgeting mistakes to avoid. Also, tips and tricks to help you save money each month.

1. Estimating how much you spend

Before you can make a budget, it is important to understand where your money goes as well as your actual cost-of-living expenses. It won’t work to estimate or guess your expenses because you are likely spending more each month than you think.

Barry Choi, personal finance expert at Money We Have says that it’s a good idea for you to keep track of your spending for a few months before you attempt to create a budget. Keep a record of all the money you spend. You can then see where your money is going, and create a realistic budget.

Also read: Top Free Financial Planning Apps

2. Without a plan, you can save money

Budgets are not only useful for managing your bills but they can also be used to increase your savings. You must also make sure you pay yourself when creating a budget for fixed or variable expenses.

Making a plan is the best way to achieve this. Smart tools such as the Monifi Bank App can help you stay on track. Monifi Save Balance uses goal-based banking. You can create a goal using the app. The Save Balance features a 0.60% Annual Percentage Yield (APY*) which is well above the average and will help to reach your goals faster.

You can also use the Monifi Banking App to access Spend Balance features such as custom alerts and balance rules. These are all designed to help you keep your budget in check.

The Monifi Banking App is a great time to get started. You can earn an additional $250 by setting up a payroll direct deposit with Monifi. Set up payroll direct deposit to receive two direct deposits of $1,000 each into your Spend balance within 90 days after opening your Monifi relationship.

3. Having Unrealistic Expectations

While you may be motivated to improve your financial position, it is important not to set too high standards. Although extreme budgeting may look appealing on paper, it is not always practical or feasible.

Stephanie Genkin, a financial advisor in Brooklyn, New York, says that “Novice budgeters especially those trying to repay credit card debt often get the numbers to add up on paper but They don’t have any basis for reality.” These budgets are so unrealistic that I have to ask: “Are they really going to quit eating out every single day?”

Genkin recommends instead that you start small and take baby steps. For example, pack your lunch twice per week, then add an additional day until you stop eating out five days per week.

4. Budgeting based on your Gross Income

Although you might make $40,000 per year, after taxes, insurance, and other payroll deductions your real earnings will likely be much lower. To create a realistic budget, use your net or take-home income to determine a spending plan.

5. Not Considering Cheaper Alternatives

While lowering expenses is one way of keeping costs under budget, you may feel that there is little you can do to reduce the cost of utilities. Utility rates are not set in stone and there are many options available to you.

Andrea Woroch, the money-saving expert, recommends looking at your monthly utility bills to find ways to save. Search for new providers, compare rates, and speak to a retention specialist to find out if you are eligible for a special discount or promotion. Your rate might be lower if you want to keep your business.

6. Owning Too Many Financial Accounts

It’s easy for people to lose track of their cash if they have too many checking and credit accounts. Woroch recommends streamlining and simplifying all of your accounts.

She says that having so many credit and store cards can make it difficult to keep track of spending and pay your bills on time. This can lead to expensive disasters such as credit damage, late fees, and overspending.

7. Don’t Buy Too Much House

While most people would not dare to leave their dream home, buying too many houses can be costly. It might be time for you to downsize to something more affordable if your rent or mortgage payment is the root cause of your financial anxiety when you are creating a budget.

Also read: Top 9 Money Saving Apps for Your Android Phones

8. Spreading Yourself Too Thin

It’s only natural to include expenses such as paying off debt, creating an emergency fund, saving money for vacations, or helping a relative financially in a budget. Your cash can only go so far. It is possible to save money for multiple goals at once or take on too many responsibilities. This could cause financial strain.

9. Never adjust your variable expenses

Budgeting is not effective if you aren’t willing to make changes in your spending habits if necessary. An assessment of your expenses reveals You’re spending too much in categories like entertainment, shopping, and recreation, You’ll need to adjust your spending or you’ll overspend every month.

10. Stealing money from other savings funds

As tempting as it might be, Don’t “steal” or dip into cash from other spending categories. For example, If you have already spent your shopping or recreation budget, don’t spend money on your transportation or grocery fund because of a mall sale.

11. Don’t ever update your budget

You can see how your income and expenses change year to year. The budget you make today may not be relevant next year.

Choi states that costs change constantly so it is important to keep your cash flow in check by regularly updating your budget. Don’t forget to increase your income.

12. The Wrong Budgeting Software

There are many budgeting tools available, including apps, websites, and computer software programs. A budget tracking system that works well for one person may not work for another. It is important to evaluate all options and find the budgeting program or app that you feel most comfortable with.

13. Try to Keep Up with Friends

Your peers may not be as financially conscious or as affluent as you are, which could impede your ability to make progress.

Avery Breyer, the best-selling author of Smart Money Blueprint: How To Stop Living Paycheck to Check, says, “In an attempt to keep up with spendy friends, it’s possible that you are spending more than you should.”

This does not mean you should cut out these people entirely. Just be mindful of who you shop with.

14. The Family Budget

Couples should not allow one person to dictate or control the household budget. The budget will only be effective if both parties agree to it. Talk about it before you sign anything.

Also read: 5 Best Apps to Budget Your Finances

15. Forgetting about Irregular Expenses

While it’s great to plan for unexpected expenses such as gifts, repairs, and home improvements, you also need to budget for regular expenses such as tax bills and annual insurance payments.

Stefanie O’Connell, a millennial finance expert, and founder, of “The Broke and Beautiful Life”, says, “I try to build those expenses into my budget. I estimate the annual cost and then divide by 12.”

16. You are denying yourself fun money

Spending less and being serious about your money doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be bored or stay at home. Everyone needs to take a break every once in a while. It’s okay to have a little fun with money.

“No budget on Earth is long-term effective” If you don’t make time for fun things, Breyer agrees, even if the amount is only a handful of chocolate bars once a week.

17. A Budget Doesn’t Matter if You Think You Don’t Have One

You can’t expect to see a positive change in your financial situation if you don’t take the time to create a budget for each week or month. It takes work and effort to improve your financial outlook. It’s not enough to just say that you want to make changes. You must actually take the first step.

Written by
Isla Genesis

Isla Genesis is social media manager of The Tech Trend. She did MBA in marketing and leveraging social media. Isla is also a passionate, writing a upcoming book on marketing stats, travel lover and photographer.

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