The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused financial issues for many. If you've had your time lessened or your work taken from you, chances are money is pretty tight.
Many experts recommend budgeting your finances to ensure that your money is spent where it needs to go most. Budgeting is a system that requires you to plan how to best spend your money.
Creating a plan would help you determine whether you will have enough money for all the things you need to buy or pay for, or if you have to cut back on a few things.
If you are running low on cash, this planning process can help you set your priorities in order and keep you focused on the things that are most important to you.
Track Your Spending
If you haven't created a budget plan yet, it is recommended you track where you regularly spend money. Tracking your spending can show you your financial patterns, which is important for determining whether your budgeting goals are realistic and attainable.
Keeping track of all your expenses, especially if you're using different payment methods, can be difficult. However, budget planners can show you your financial goals and your spending all in one place.
What are the best budget planners in the market?
Budget planners are the financial cousins of journals. While journals serve as the keeper of your memories and your emotions, budget planners work as your financial manager and personal accountant.
We looked for the best and most affordable budget planners currently available on the market to help you get started on your journey towards having a financially-secure future.
Easily take control of your money using Clever Fox's Budget Book. This undated planner comes with monthly goal trackers, checklists, and a budgeting table. The monthly calendar can serve as a reminder for important events as well as bills and income.
Clever Fox's budgeting table allows you to allocate the money you need to spend on various things, including mortgage payments, insurance, phone bill, groceries, transportation, and personal items. It also has a mind map and a place where you can write down your budget strategies and tactics.
At the end of every month, you can review what happened, spot bad spending habits, and plan on where you can cut back on spending the following month.
Amanda Terpstra's monthly bill planner and organizer provide a fantastic and hassle-free way for you to organize your bills and plan your daily and monthly expenses. The journal contains neatly organized pages including account trackers and monthly savings tracker.
This budget planner offers a place for you to jot down your debts and their dues. Its "yearly summary" will also help you observe which month you spent the most on and where you saved the most. This system allows you to forecast how the following year may be, giving you ample time to adjust and plan.
GoGirl's Budget Book is one of the most affordable and versatile planners available in the market. The budget planner lets you set financial goals for yourself and keeps your expenses categorized.
The planner can help you identify upcoming payments, bills, and cash flow. The planner comes undated, which means you can start using it even in the middle of the year.
