When it comes to managing a budget, it’s essential to prioritize your spending. Making smart choices about what to spend your money on and what to save for later can help you avoid financial stress and stay on track toward your long-term financial goals. In this article, DJ Bettencourt will discuss what needs to be fulfilled first when on a budget.
Basic Needs
The first priority on any budget should be basic needs, which include food, shelter, and clothing. You need to make sure that you have enough money to cover these essentials before you start spending on other things. This may mean cutting back on other certain expenses or finding ways to reduce your costs in these areas.
When it comes to food, you can save money by cooking at home instead of eating out, buying generic brands instead of name brands, and shopping for sales and discounts. For housing, consider downsizing to a smaller home or apartment, or finding a roommate to split costs. And for clothing, look for deals at thrift stores or online retailers, or consider buying second-hand items.
Debts
Once you’ve covered your basic needs, the next priority on your budget should be paying off debts. This includes credit card debt, student loans, car loans, and any other outstanding loans or bills that you may have.
Paying off debts as quickly as possible can save you money in the long run by reducing the amount of interest you have to pay. To tackle your debts, start by making a list of all the debts you owe, including the interest rates and minimum payments.
Then, prioritize paying off the debts with the highest interest rates first, while still making the minimum payments on your other debts. You can also consider consolidating your debts into a single payment, which can simplify your finances and reduce your interest rates.
Emergency Fund
Once you’ve paid off your debts, the next priority on your budget should be building an emergency fund. An emergency fund is a type of funding that you can use for certain unexpected expenses like vehicle repairs or medical bills. Having an available emergency fund can help you prevent any risks of debt in case these types of expenses happen.
To get yourself an emergency fund, you may set your savings goal of three to six months of expenses. After that, make savings automation by setting up automated transfers from checking accounts to your savings accounts every month. You can also look for ways to save money, such as cutting back on entertainment expenses or finding a side hustle to earn extra income.
Retirement Savings
Finally, once you’ve covered your basic needs, paid off your debts, and built an emergency fund, you should prioritize saving for retirement. Retirement may seem far off, but DJ Bettencourt believes that the earlier you start saving, the more time your money has to grow.
To save for your retirement, you may open a 401(k) account or an IRA account and contribute to them as much as you can every month. You can also look for ways to reduce your expenses so that you have more money to save. For example, you can cut back on dining out, cancel unused subscriptions, or downgrade your phone plan.