Braving Budgets

The budgeting exercise should not be limited to people having problem with their finances per say but it should be inculcated from a very young age for every individual. The budget exercise allows every individual with an income and expenses portfolio to make decisions about how they can best allocate the income to serve the expenses and yet leave some for the future, which may include a suitable retirement plan, a healthy savings plan or just about anything that won’t break the bank. Budgeting helps to create a very visible short term expense scenario, which would include the payments of monthly bills and commitments. Then there is the midterm budgeting scenario which may include holidays, buying a car and other commitments that don’t require more than a few years to pay off. The most commitment demanding budgeting is the long term one where fixed funds are set aside for retirement plans, purchasing of property, children’s education programs and such where the committed amount is significant and has to be sustained for a long period of time. Having a spread sheet drawn up which reflects the current income, projected income and corresponding expenses and future possible - 7 - commitment will give the individual a better overview of how to wise work out a suitable and manageable budget.