Spending our hard-earned money involves making important decisions, and although we may not consider our spending exorbitant or extravagant, it all adds up. Consider the frequency with which you purchase coffee, eat out for lunch, take your children through a drive-through, pay for veterinary expenses, attend a show, contribute to your RRSP, and pay for car repairs. None of these expenses is right or wrong; we make decisions based on our priorities.

Without previous planning, it might be challenging to establish your current priorities. Here are five things that will make it easier for you to determine where your money goes:

Note down all transactions

Unsplash/ Rumie | “If you make meaning, you’ll make money

Writing things down is sometimes the easiest method to keep track of everything, even your transactions. You need not worry about becoming elegant. Use a standard notepad and record your transactions as they occur. You can also utilize particular ledgers, diaries, or even Microsoft Excel.

Check your account statements.

Take stock of your accounts, including your bank account and all your credit cards, to pinpoint your spending tendencies. Examining your accounts will enable you to recognize your spending trends.

Your expenditures will include both fixed and variable expenses. Expenses that are fixed are less likely to fluctuate from month to month. Mortgage or rent, utilities, insurance, and debt payments are included. You will have greater flexibility to manage variable costs such as food, clothes, and travel.

Treat your credit card like a debit card.

BUDGET GUIDES/ TBM | "Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement

You might believe it would be difficult to maintain a running total if you paid for most of your purchases with a credit card rather than cash or a debit card. However, this is an excellent time to keep track of your expenditures. Treat your credit card as if it were a debit card, and do not spend more than you can instantly pay off with cash from your bank account.

Every time you tap or swipe your credit card, you will consider your requirements vs. your desires and how much money you spend.

Use an expense management app.

Manually tracking your expenditures is helpful but can lead to inaccuracies. The procedure is tedious and time-consuming. What if there was a superior alternative? What if there was an app that could perform all of your tasks? We’ve got the solution for you!

The Money View Money Manager app offers streamlined financial management and is the leading financial management software in the nation. This application is accessible in seven languages and has been downloaded over 10 million times. In addition to automatically tracking your funds, this software allows you to classify them and obtain a personal loan in an emergency.

Build your budget

BUDGET GUIDES/ TBM | A budget tells us what we can't afford, but it doesn't keep us from buying it

Total your costs for each requirements category wants and savings/debts, then enter your monthly net income in the box provided. Review your budget every few months and make adjustments as required. Consider utilizing a budget app to log your expenses, saving you time while you develop your new budgeting routine. Try these budgeting suggestions if you are stuck.