sample personal budget for single person

#Sample personal budget for single person how to

You can add extra money to your budget categories, put it toward your financial goals, or save it in an interest-bearing account like the Personal Savings Account at Stellar Bank. If you find you have money left after all of your bills and obligations, your budget surplus puts you in a great position. Do you really need to eat out five times a week? Can you cut out any unnecessary subscriptions? If you’re down to your essential expenses, are there ways you could bring in additional income? Be prepared to ask yourself some hard questions. Take some time to review all of your expenses and cut out anything extraneous.

This happens, but you can’t spend more than you make. While you’re calculating your budget, you may find that you have more expenses than income. Your budget won’t be accurate if you’re not including every transaction.Ĥ) Subtract your expenses from your income Be sure to record everything you spend, even if it seems minor. Next, list your variable expenses such as power, water, food, entertainment, and transportation. You can always make adjustments if your income changes later.īegin by listing your fixed expenses such as rent, mortgage, insurance, car payments, or student loans.

If you have an irregular income, such as a small business owner or an independent contractor, you can review your net income from the last few months and calculate your budget based on the lowest amount. If you have a regular income, it’s easy to just look at your pay stubs. You want to use the amount of money after taxes are taken out. Be sure to calculate your budget based on your net income, not your gross income. Income is any money you have coming in each month, such as your normal paychecks or any extra money you earn. Try to go back at least six months so you can make the most accurate predictions. Start by collecting your financial information-pay stubs, bank statements, receipts, and bills-so you can list out all of your expenses and income.

#Sample personal budget for single person how to

Here’s how to create a personal budget in 6 steps. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the average household spends more than $3,000 a year eating out. For example, you may be shocked when you see how much you’re spending at restaurants every month. And those tiny, miscellaneous expenses can really add up. Many people spend small amounts day to day (hello, coffee run) without even thinking about it. Having a budget helps you get a clear picture of your income and spending, so you can decide the best way to allocate your money-like paying specific bills, going on a trip, starting an emergency fund, or saving for college. While creating a budget may seem overwhelming at first, it is easier than you may think. Where does all your money go? A budget can show you how you’re spending, help you take control of your finances, and enable you to achieve your short- and long-term financial goals.