What we'll cover
Budgeting styles and their impact
Strategies to add structure to your budget
How online bank accounts can help you stay on track
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly manage their finances while others struggle to make ends meet? The answer often lies in how they budget.
Understanding your approach to budgeting can be the key to achieving your financial goals and a peace of mind.
Ready to uncover your budgeting style? Take our quiz and discover your own unique approach.
Stash your cash
Envelope budgeting is a hands-on method for managing your finances. It involves dividing your monthly income into different envelopes, each representing a specific spending category like groceries, utilities or entertainment. You then allocate a predetermined amount of cash into each envelope at the beginning of the month, helping to curb overspending.
You can also explore digital alternatives to traditional envelope budgeting with a simple tool like Ally Bank's spending buckets, which is a lot like envelope budgeting. You can still allot your funds into different categories without the need for multiple accounts (or physical envelopes of cash). Create up to 30 different buckets within one Ally Bank Spending Account.
Simple vs. detailed approach
The 50/30/20 and line item budgeting methods are two distinct ways of managing your finances, each offering unique advantages and flexibility.
The 50/30/20 method, often hailed as an easy-to-follow system, divides your income into three broad categories: needs, wants and savings/debt. This approach allocates 50% of your income to covering necessities like rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries and transportation. The next 30% is reserved for personal spending, allowing you the freedom to indulge in non-essential items like entertainment and hobbies. The remaining 20% is dedicated to savings and debt repayment. This method provides a simple framework for maintaining a balanced financial life while emphasizing the importance of saving. Ally Bank Saving's Account also has a saving's bucket feature to help you organize and separate your saving's goals.
Read more: Use buckets to organize your savings in an Ally Bank Savings Account
If the 50/30/20 method isn't detailed enough for you, a line item budget may be the way to go. This system allows you to create a comprehensive list of all your income sources and expenses, breaking them down into individual line items. Each expense is accounted for separately and offers a clear picture of where your money is going.
Achieving financial balance
Zero-sum budgeting is a purpose-driven financial approach that ensures every dollar of your income has a designated purpose. This method allows you to distribute your earnings to various categories or expenses, leaving no surplus funds unassigned. The primary objective is to make sure that your total income minus your total expenses equals zero, creating a balanced budget.
To implement zero-sum budgeting , establish spending limits for each category to help you control your expenditures and avoid overspending. If you find yourself with leftover money at the end of the month, make sure to allocate it intentionally. Consider options like adding to your emergency fund, your vacation fund, paying toward your debt or rolling it over into the following month's budget for future expenses.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to your budgeting style. They're tailored to your individual financial objectives and personal preferences. Your goals and inclinations will play a significant role in shaping your budgeting style, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your path to financial success.
