Learning how to manage your money is an important skill that will benefit you now and in the future. Budgeting teaches you how to spend wisely, save up for big goals, and avoid going broke! While budgets may seem boring at first, they give you control of your finances.
This comprehensive guide shares budgeting tips tailored for tween and teen girls. Follow along to become a budgeting pro!
What Exactly is a Budget?
Simply put, a budget is a plan for your money. It allows you to track where your money comes from and where it goes each month. The goal is to ensure you aren’t spending more than you earn. Start by adding up all of your income. This includes money from allowance, gifts, babysitting, chores, and any other sources. Write this total down.
Next, write down your expenses. This is anything you spend money on like clothes, makeup, movies, snacks, eating out, etc. Write down the total. Compare your income and expenses. If expenses are higher, your budget shows you need to cut back on spending. Budgeting gives you control!
Picking Budget Categories
To budget successfully, you need to divide spending into categories:
– Personal care – Makeup, haircuts, shampoo, deodorant
– Entertainment – Movies, concerts, downloads
– Shopping – Clothes, shoes, accessories
– Dining out – Restaurants, fast food, coffee shops
– Cell phone – Your portion of the bill or if you are saving up for a new model
– Gifts – Friends’ & family’s birthdays
Keep a miscellaneous category for one-off expenses. Having categories makes it easier to track where money goes.
Setting Up Your Budget
Now it’s time to set up your budget! Here are two easy methods:
1. Budgeting notebook – Use a simple notebook to create category sections. Write down income at the top. Write expenses in the sections. Subtract expenses from income to find leftover savings.
2. Budgeting app – Apps like Pocketapp, Cowryrise, and your notes app help you create customized budgets. Link them to your bank account to track spending automatically.
Choose the approach that fits your style. Update your budget at least monthly to get a full picture of finances.
Reducing Expenses
Once you see spending by category, look for areas to save. Avoid spending money on impulse without thinking. Here are some ideas to reduce expenses:
– Set a monthly clothing budget and stick to it
– Limit dining out to special occasions
– Rent or borrow books and movies instead of buying
– Take advantage of free concerts and community events
– Pack your lunch instead of buying it
Even small changes to spending make a difference! Be creative about ways to cut back and save more.
Setting Financial Goals
Budgeting gives you the power to reach exciting financial goals! Consider setting savings goals for:
– A new smartphone or laptop
– Money for concerts, trips, or activities with friends
– College savings – even small amounts grow over time!
Having goals motivates you to save instead of overspend. Automate savings by setting aside money when you get your allowance.
Managing Variable Income
As you get older, you may start earning money from a job. Just like fixed allowance, job income can be fixed or varies by number of hours worked. Make sure to adjust your budget when income changes.
Likewise, budget for expected expenses fluctuations. Back-to-school clothes shopping or a friend’s birthday gift will spike spending temporarily. Plan for those variable costs.
Building Long-Term Money Skills
Learning to budget young builds financial skills that last a lifetime:
– Planning – Budgeting requires a strategy for saving vs. spending
– Responsibility – You control where your money goes
– Discipline – Sticking to a budget takes practice
– Independence – Manage your own financing wisely
While it takes effort at first, budgeting becomes natural over time. Enjoy the confidence of financial freedom that budgeting brings!
What tips would you share about budgeting and saving money? How do you track income and expenses? Let us know in the comments!