The task of preparing your own personal budget is a liberating experience. You can finally see the true state of your own finances. The benefits listed below will help encourage you in making your decision to start today.Benefit #1. The personal budget focuses your thinking.
Without a personal budget you are not able to clearly see the extent of your spending compared to your income. This is the most important role of your personal budget. It will show you whether you are living within your means or whether you are living on borrowed funds. It is also the tool that can show you where all your money is being spent. This allows you to answer important questions, such as "Am I wasting money on things I don't really need?", "Is my credit card debt to blame?" and "How much better off would I be if I could manage to be free of debt?".
Benefit #2. A personal budget helps you save money and set goals.
Once you have correctly prepared your personal budget, it will show you how much you need to save from your income to meet your expenses and set aside some funds for emergencies. It allows you to set goals, both for the amount and the timing. For example, you may set a goal of paying $2,000 off your credit cards, within 1 year. Once you make a commitment to yourself to make this work the budget becomes a tool that will help you stay on track.
Benefit #3. Keeps your goals in your mind.
It is easy to slip back into your old spending ways if you do not commit to making your personal budget work. The budget will help you keep the goals you set in your mind when you are tempted to give in. When you are out, it can help you say no to frivolous expenditure, say no to that daily coffee-shop coffee, think twice before you hand over your hard-earned money on things you don't really need and wait until that item you really want goes on sale.
Benefit #4. A budget helps you live within your means.
Every time you make a spending decision, it has a positive or negative impact on your personal financial position. The budget can show you clearly how your spending habits affect your finances in advance. Your personal budget can help you understand that if you spend money on this item you can't use the same money to spend on something else. You only have a finite income. If you spend more than you earn you are living on borrowed money and the cost of that money is interest. The interest on borrowed funds is most probably the cause of your financial worries.
Benefit #5. Puts you in control of your finances.
If you've prepared your personal budget correctly, you will see how much you have available to spend, after taking into account your debt repayments and savings requirements for your future needs. This information can take away the guilt you may have felt when purchasing some item(s) you knew you couldn't really afford. When you know you can afford an item you really want, the purchasing experience will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.
Benefit #6. - Tracks your progress toward your goals.
Once you prepare you budget it should not put into a drawer and forgotten. It should be a live document that you refer to weekly, or at least monthly. This is your guide to your own financial freedom. You need to check your progress towards your goals, thus giving you the incentive to keep going and achieve your financial objectives. If you make the effort and follow your plan, you'll be surprised how easy it really is to reach financial freedom.
About Author
Bruce Hokin has designed a simple budget tool called "5 Steps to Freedom Personal Budget." It based on his extensive background as a qualified, experienced accountant, manager, consultant and financial adviser. You can download this powerful budget assistant today and be on your way to financial freedom within the hour. You can also click here for your FREE Mini-Budget.