Some banks, such as Starling* or Monzo, allow you to distribute your budget into a series of ‘pots’. For example, you may use one bank account for groceries and household bills, and another for treats.
Piggybanking involves using multiple accounts to segment outgoings into different areas. You may have a long-term goal to retire early, or you may have a series of short-term goals that includes building up an emergency fund or saving for a holiday.įor more inspiration, check out out our top financial goals for 2022. Knowing why you are trying to budget will be a big help when it comes to sticking with the programme. For example, are you a late night internet shopper? Or do you splurge when you have a bad day? Set goals Consider your spending habitsĭon’t cut everything you love out of your life – you’re unlikely to stick with it long term.īut it’s worth thinking about your spending habits and behaviours. Doing this might open your eyes to your spending habits, and help you spot any forgotten or unused subscriptions. Sit down with your bank statements – whether you choose to print them out or look at them through online banking. To help get you on your way, follow the below tips. Now it’s time to look at where you can change your spending on non-essentials such as meals out and activities. Cycle to work and you could save over £3,000 every year Making a spending plan If you are looking for inspiration, check out our 20 simple ways to save money article. Making small changes to your essential spending can have a big impact on the amount you have to pay out each month. For more tips on how you can reduce childcare costs, check out our guide here. Childcare – The government’s tax-free childcare scheme means you can get up to £2,000 a year per child to help with the cost of childcare.Expensive debt – If you have an overdraft or credit card debts, look to consolidate them on a 0% card or change your bank account to one offering an interest-free overdraft.See here for more tips on lowering the cost of household bills.
Shop around – switching energy supplier and moving to a less expensive TV package or cheaper mobile deal could save hundreds of pounds a year.Transport – average costs are £80.80, or 14%, of a typical family’s weekly spend.The average household expenditure is £572.60 a week, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), largely on “essentials” such as:īut are we spending wisely, even on the essentials?
Once you know how much is coming in and going out each month, the next step is to look at where you can save on your outgoings. Family time: set some time aside to create a budget Cut down expenses If your total household net income is £7,000 per month, and your mortgage, bills, groceries and childcare costs come to £5,500 – you then have £1,500 left to play with each month.įind out more about how much childcare costs, and what help there is out there for you.
Get together all your current account and credit card statements from at least the past three months.Take a close look at how much you spend, taking into account the below: Instead, take an average of your earnings over the past six or 12 months. Any benefits you claim, such as child benefitīe as accurate as possible, which can be difficult if you don’t have a fixed monthly income, e.g.Other sources of income, perhaps rent from a buy-to-let property.Work out how much you have coming in month to month per adult. To help you get started, follow the below tips.
You can use a budgeting app or download a free budget planner to help you. All you need to do is figure out what you have coming in and going out. You don’t have to be a personal finance whizz to create a monthly household budget.