Personal Finance Information

Budgeting -- The Critical Flaw That Causes Most Budgets to Fail


Budgeting. It's a word we're all familiar with. Everyone knows what a budget is, right? Yet how many of us actually make and stick to a solid monthly budget? The truth is that most of us start out with the best of intentions, but an unexpected expense comes up and busts our budget. Then we give up and go back to juggling our finances and worrying about having too much month left at the end of the money. However, if you are striving to create a budget for the purpose of systematically paying off your debts, or to start a savings and investment program, then it's critical to develop a workable and realistic budget.

So what's the problem? Why do most of us fail at the simple task of creating a budget so we can live within our means? The simple truth is that most budgets don't work because they fail to account for irregular or variable expenses. Everyone knows how much their rent or mortgage payment is. It's the same amount month after month. If your rent is $1,000 per month, that's a "no-brainer." The same is true of many other fixed expenses, such as auto loan payments, cable TV subscriptions, insurance premiums, and so on. It's easy to budget for these expenses because the amounts don't change from one month to the next.

Besides expenses that are the exact same figure each month, there are numerous types of expenses that vary a little from one month to the next, yet we still have a pretty good idea what we spend each month. A good example is our grocery bill. Most of us have a fairly clear picture of how much we spend each week at the supermarket. So we can insert a realistic figure into our budget-in-progress and not be too far off the mark. Sure, the amounts may go up or down slightly each month, but we usually know the range we're dealing with. Other examples of this category include telephone bills, utility bills, and gasoline (although this one certainly seems to be going nowhere but up these days!).

The real culprit in busted budgets, however, is the variable or irregular expense. How much will you spend on car repairs over the next 12 months? What about medical bills? Home maintenance costs? It seems that bills for these types of expenses hit us out of left field, and there goes our budget. Before long, we're using food money to cover a new set of tires for our car, and the whole budget comes crashing down.

So what's the solution? There is no perfect answer to this problem. But we can come to a close approximation by using the simple technique of monthly averaging. Start by gathering 12 months' worth of checkbook registers, bank statements, and credit card statements. Write down (or enter into a spreadsheet) how much you spent each and every time your money went toward something that was not a fixed expense. Group these expenditures into categories, such as auto, home maintenance, clothes, etc. Don't try to break it down too far. What you want is a handful of useful categories. Then keep listing each of these expenses under their relevant categories for the full 12-month period.

When you are done with this exercise, you should have an excellent idea of your total annual expenditure for these variable expenses. For example, if you add up all the automobile repair or maintenance expenses for the year, and the figure comes to $1,200, then divide by 12 to get the result of $100 per month average. That's how much you need to allow in your monthly budget in order to build up enough reserves to handle an auto repair when it comes up. Again, this method isn't perfect, because an expense may come up that exceeds your estimated outlay, but at least it takes into account a closer approximation to reality than simply guessing, or worse, ignoring auto maintenance in your budgeting.

The trick here is to set up a separate savings account in which to set aside these "extra" funds. Let's say the "extra" $100 goes into the savings account for six months, and then you get hit with an auto repair for $400. You pull the money from your $600 savings that was purposely built up for this type of expense. This way, you're automatically setting aside amounts intended to cover each type of irregular expense that you encountered over the previous year.

Most people are shocked when they perform this 12-month analysis of irregular expenses, and it immediately becomes clear why their budget is always breaking down. This technique leads to the discipline necessary to recognize that "extra" money is seldom really extra. If we think we have our bills covered, and there is some cash burning a hole in our pocket, our tendency is to spend it on something fun. But if we know that there really is no cash left over, because we haven't yet set aside the extra $100 needed to keep our car on the road, then we'll be less inclined to spend it on pizza, beer, and movies.

Budgeting can be successfully accomplished by this technique of monthly averaging, especially if we consistently apply it year after year. As we move forward, our understanding of our true expenses becomes clearer and clearer, and we are no longer surprised by the occasional unexpected expense. The best way to implement this approach is to set up a regular savings program, where the amount you're setting aside to cover irregular expenses gets automatically deducted from your paycheck and forwarded to your savings account. If the money is deducted from your paycheck before you even see it, then you will be less tempted to skip this critical part of the budgeting process, and you will greatly increase the chances of making a budget work over the long term.

Charles J. Phelan has been helping consumers become debt-free without bankruptcy since 1997. A former senior executive with one of the nation's largest debt settlement firms, he is the author of the Debt Elimination Success Seminar?, a five-hour audio-CD course that teaches consumers how to choose between debt program options based on their financial situation. The course focuses on comprehensive instruction in do-it-yourself debt negotiation & settlement designed to save $1,000s. Personal coaching and follow-up support is included. Achieves the same results as professional firms for a tiny fraction of the cost.

http://www.zipdebt.com


MORE RESOURCES:

03/26/2024
New Robinhood Credit Card Will Earn 3% Back on Most Purchases - NerdWallet
The Robinhood Gold Card won't have an annual fee, but to get the card you must be a Robinhood Gold member, which costs $5 a month as of this writing.


more info


03/26/2024
3 Ways AI Could Transform Your Insurance Policy - NerdWallet
As insurers use artificial intelligence to make better predictions, AI technology could spur major changes for insurance customers. Learn more about what to expect.


more info


03/26/2024
Taryn Phaneuf, Lead Writer - NerdWallet
Taryn Phaneuf is a lead writer at NerdWallet. She previously spent more than a decade reporting on business, education and public policy for local news outlets.


more info


03/26/2024
Financial News - NerdWallet
NerdWallet reporters bring you the latest in financial news, with a focus on what it means for your wallet.


more info


03/26/2024
Lottery Pool? Take These Precautions Before Diving In - NerdWallet
A lottery pool can be a thrilling way to socialize with coworkers. But if luck strikes, the stakes can be a lot higher. Here's how to avoid legal tangles.


more info


03/26/2024
Latest FAFSA Error Affects Aid for 200K, Offers for Everyone Else - NerdWallet
The Education Department miscalculated the financial need of roughly 200,000 dependent students who submitted FAFSAs before March 21 — nearly 15% of processed forms. Those students could get less aid than they expect, and everyone else might face further delays.


more info


03/26/2024
What’s at Stake as the Supreme Court Hears an Abortion Pill Case? - NerdWallet
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case that could limit access to mifepristone.


more info


03/26/2024
Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards of March 2024 - NerdWallet
Save money while getting out of debt by doing a balance transfer: Moving debt to a card with a 0% introductory interest rate and low fees.


more info


03/26/2024
Best 0% APR and Low Interest Credit Cards of March 2024 - NerdWallet
Using a credit card with an introductory 0% APR period can save you big money when financing a major purchase. See all of our expert recommendations.


more info


03/26/2024
Best Cash Back Credit Cards of March 2024 - NerdWallet
Cash back is the most flexible credit card reward, since you can use it for anything. Our list will help you find the perfect card for the way you spend.


more info


03/26/2024
New Breeze Airways Credit Card Takes Flight With Up to 10X Back - NerdWallet
Airline also launches Breezy Rewards, the airline’s loyalty program, which supercharges rewards earned with the credit card.


more info


03/25/2024
Buying Life Insurance if You're Transgender - NerdWallet
Your gender identity doesn’t impact your eligibility for life insurance, but there are a few things to be aware of when you apply. Learn more now.


more info


03/25/2024
Egg and Chocolate Prices Are Hopping — Just in Time for Easter - NerdWallet
Bad weather and disease are straining the supply of cocoa. Meanwhile, another outbreak of bird flu is pushing up egg prices again.


more info


03/24/2024
Jae Bratton, Lead Writer - NerdWallet
Jae Bratton is a writer on the credit cards team at NerdWallet.


more info


03/24/2024
Mega Millions, Powerball Jackpots Near Combined $2 Billion - NerdWallet
The Mega Millions jackpot is now $1.1 billion, while Powerball has grown to $865 million. Mega Millions will be drawn on Tuesday night; Powerball on Wednesday.


more info


03/23/2024
Government Shutdown Threat Finally Put to Rest — For Now - NerdWallet
Congress missed its midnight deadline, but shortly thereafter approved the final set of appropriations in a $1.2 trillion spending package. The last-minute deal prevents a government shutdown that would have furloughed government workers.


more info


03/22/2024
Alaska Access: The New Subscription Service from Alaska Airlines - NerdWallet
Like its existing Flight Pass subscription, Alaska Access could be a good deal for frequent Alaska flyers looking to get the best deals with the airline.


more info


03/20/2024
American Airlines To Add Streaming and Free Wi-Fi - NerdWallet
American Airlines says it will be the first airline to offer video streaming capabilities on its entire mainline fleet. It is also offering free Wi-Fi with ads.


more info


03/20/2024
Fed Chair Powell: Rate Cut Risks Are ‘Two-Sided’ - NerdWallet
For the fifth time in a row, the Federal Reserve paused the federal funds rate at 5.25%-5.50% as Americans continue to wait for lower rates to cut costs on mortgages, credit cards and other loans.


more info


03/20/2024
Tailpipe Emission Rules Give Automakers More Time to Ramp Up EVs - NerdWallet
New stricter rules for vehicle emissions are expected to roll out more slowly than initially proposed last year, which gives automakers more time to beef up electric vehicle stock.


more info


03/20/2024
Powerball Hits $750M as Mega Million Jackpot Nears $1B - NerdWallet
The estimated Mega Millions jackpot is $977 million, while Powerball has grown to $750 million. Drawings are Friday and Saturday respectively.


more info


03/18/2024
How Is the Economy Doing? - NerdWallet
The state of the economy is generally strong and inflation is slowing down, but still remains elevated. The Federal Reserve is looking at key economic indicators to signal it’s time to cut rates.


more info


03/18/2024
Caitlin Mims, Content Mangement Specialist - NerdWallet
Caitlin Mims is a content management specialist on the credit cards team at NerdWallet. She has covered credit cards, credit scores and retirement planning.


more info


03/15/2024
What the Big Realtors Settlement Means for Home Buyers and Sellers - NerdWallet
A landmark legal settlement between home sellers and the real estate industry could complicate negotiations, let home sellers keep more of the sales proceeds, and require buyers to negotiate how their agents would be paid.


more info


03/15/2024
Biden’s Battle Against Junk Fees Turns to Colleges, Student Loans - NerdWallet
The Biden administration, in its efforts to curb junk fees, is proposing eliminating origination fees for federal student loans in addition to other fees that college students pay.


more info



home | site map | contact us