How to properly spend the family budget. How to plan a family budget in advance? Ways to save the family budget and money: useful tips

And let's talk about how to spend money. Unfortunately, many people do not pay enough attention to this issue, do not know how to spend money, and if they do, they do not follow the necessary rules. This always finds its negative reflection at the level of the financial condition of a person or family.

Therefore, I believe that every person should know well how to spend money correctly and follow these rules, which is why he will only win in financial terms.

To begin with, once again I want to remind you of a very important idea: a person or a family depends not only on how much they earn, but also on how much they spend, and what they have left after that!

How to spend money correctly? Even 250 years ago, Benjamin Franklin, known to people for his image on a 100-dollar bill, advised everyone who wanted to get rich the following:

Always spend less than you earn. Here is the Philosopher's Stone.

These words of Franklin, in fact, are the simple and main answer to the question “How to spend money?”. And now we will analyze the basic rules for spending personal or family budget funds in more detail.

Rule 1. No consumer loans! The real boom and availability for many has already caused financial ruin. Those who, thanks to the availability of credit resources, ignoring their sometimes crazy high cost, cannot deny themselves consumption in excess of what they have earned, as a rule, sooner or later find themselves in.

Consumer loans can sometimes create only the appearance of financial well-being, thanks to fashionable gadgets bought on credit, but in fact, especially systematic, only pulls the debtor to the financial bottom. Many people do not understand that by using expensive credit resources (and consumer loans, especially instant, always the most expensive) of them financial condition not getting better, but getting worse.

This is precisely the reason for the disappointing financial situation of a very large number of families. Therefore, if you are thinking about how to spend money correctly, remember the first rule: do not take consumer loans!

Rule 2. Economy = thrift. For some reason, many people and families consider it to be something shameful and shameful, they believe that saving is tantamount to greed, that saving means “squeezing” and denying yourself everything, but there are things that cannot be saved at all (children, health, etc.). .d.). In fact, this is an absolute misconception, unfortunately, also very widespread. If you look in dictionaries, you will see that the main synonym for the word "savings" is the word "thrift" and not "greed". Therefore, immediately ask yourself the question in a different way: is it necessary to be careful about the family budget? To children? To health? Etc.

So, saving does not mean denying yourself everything, buying cheap and low-quality things, products, etc. Although in some, especially difficult situations (for example, if you are in a deep financial hole), you will unfortunately have to act in this way - this will be the only possible way out. In other cases, you just need to be able to choose goods and services at the best prices, not overpay for what you can pay less for, use discounts, etc. Competent economy (thrift, not greed) is, in fact, a rather difficult science that is comprehended over the years and with experience. However, for example, most residents of developed capitalist countries it is, one might say, “laid in the blood”, and, thanks to this, among other things, they live better than we do.

By clicking on the link, you will see that literally on everything. However, this needs attention. I am absolutely sure that any family that has not thought much about saving before, by starting to identify and use opportunities to save money, will be able to reduce at least 20-30% of the expenses of their family budget. At the same time consuming all the same goods and services as before! And this is already very good money, which would be much more useful to direct to creating savings for large purchases or investing.

Therefore, remember the second rule for the distribution of family expenses: reasonable and competent savings - thrift.

Rule 3. Accounting and planning of personal finances. And the last, no less important rule. It will be very difficult to determine how to spend money correctly if you do not take into account and plan your expenses and income.

Accounting for personal finances can be conducted in different ways (their comparative analysis you can see by clicking on the link). I assure you, if it takes some significant time, then only at the initial stage. Further, the process comes to automatism, and he has to devote no more than 5 minutes a day, and more often even less. But thanks to this, you will be able to track well where your money goes and redirect it competently.

There are different ones (again, by clicking on the link, you can get acquainted with them in more detail). Choose what you like best and act. In any case, planning always brings more effective results than its absence, and family budget management is no exception in this regard.

Well, you have received some instructions on how to spend money correctly, how to use the family budget rationally and as efficiently as possible. Now it's up to the small: do not be lazy and start putting it into practice. I am sure that you will definitely feel positive results in the first months. Once again, remember the main rule: you can't spend more than you earn, and build on that.

On the site you will always find many other useful tips on managing personal finances, creating and using a family budget. Stay with us, ask your questions in the comments, participate in discussions on the forum. I hope that with the help of the advice given here, you will be able to improve your financial situation. See you in new posts!

Recent studies have shown that over the past 10 years, the cost of raising children has doubled. Even if the child will receive free treatment, attend state educational institutions, enter the budget department of the university, in order to raise him, parents will need an average of 3 million rubles. In such a situation, saving the family budget comes first. The tips presented in this article will help you plan and properly distribute funds.

Training

Today, huge sums have to be spent on food, medical treatment, clothing and education. Many families struggle to make it to paychecks. The secrets of savings are in revising the lifestyle, limiting the cost of entertainment and recreation. On the other hand, parents are not ready to save on their children. Therefore, you need to learn how to properly distribute funds without radical restrictions for family members.

To live better, you need to either earn more or spend less. Not everyone will be able to cope with the solution of the first problem. The second goal is quite achievable. Consider the main ways to save the family budget.

Observation

Before reducing expenses, you need to understand exactly where most of the funds are spent, and for this it is necessary to record every penny spent within a month. Already according to the results of the first week of keeping a diary, it is possible to identify expenditure items that literally "wash out" money from the wallet.

In order to properly distribute the family budget, it is very important to record everything, even the smallest expenses, not forgetting to include chewing gum, cigarettes, chocolate and sweets in expenses.

Analysis

After a month of research, the first results can be summed up. To understand how to save the budget next month, you need to distribute expenses into groups:

• how much money was spent on housing and communal services;
• how much money was spent on paying loans;
• how much food was needed;
• how much money was spent on clothes, hygiene products;
• how often were unplanned expenses for gifts, entertainment, taxis.

Cost reduction

It will now be necessary to monitor expenses and incomes constantly. Proper budget planning consists in the distribution of expenses for priority and future ones. By writing down purchases, you can carefully calculate and refuse unnecessary things.

Can't be shortened. But some articles can be reduced. Most food is bought for pleasure, not for sustenance. Save money first of all on those purchases that you can do without. Refusing to snack on chocolate at work will only benefit your health. Overtime should be abandoned if you have to take a taxi to get home in the evening. And if you can’t live without your favorite magazine, then instead of a paper version, get an electronic one.

How to save on products?

For a family on a modest budget, an impromptu dinner in a public place can hurt the pocket. Of course, one-time visits to catering establishments are allowed. But if you have to change a homemade dinner every day at a cost of 150 rubles per serving of pizza, then such trips need to be planned in advance. It is advisable to make a meal plan for the week. Special online services allow you to prepare a weekly menu depending on employment, working conditions, and lifestyle.

How to save on electricity?

One of the most costly items from the list of utilities is the cost of electricity. Modern household appliances make life easier. But if they all work at the same time, they consume a lot of energy. The following simple tips will help reduce costs.

Use energy saving lamps

These lamps cost twice as much as usual, but also last longer. They practically do not heat up, all the energy is spent on lighting. The average service life is three years, the annual savings is 600 rubles. Dust can "eat" up to 20% of the light. Therefore, it is worth periodically wiping the shades and light bulbs.

When you leave, turn off the light. In order not to forget about this simple rule, you can write a reminder and hang it on the front door.

Buy class A + household appliances and use them strictly according to the instructions

Modern equipment of class A + or A ++ consumes much less electricity, but only on condition that it will be operated correctly. If you put a refrigerator in the kitchen next to the stove, then it will work in an enhanced mode to maintain the required temperature. A similar situation will arise if you try to cool hot food. Timely defrosting will prevent the formation of frost on the walls of the chamber and reduce energy consumption by an average of 15%.

Computers and televisions are actively used only a few hours a day. The rest of the time they are in standby mode, actively absorbing electricity. It is not enough just to turn off the device with the button on the power supply. You need to disconnect it from the power source.

Periodically carry out cosmetic repairs

Light wallpaper and a white ceiling can offset up to 80% of the sun's rays. For comparison, the light output from black is only 9%. But before sticking wallpaper, you should check the quality of the wiring. Sometimes increased power consumption occurs due to wear on the wires.

Install heat shields

Heating devices in the autumn-winter period absorb a lot of electricity. If you install foil or foam on the battery, you can increase the temperature in the room by 2-3 degrees. To further insulate the room, it is worth replacing the wooden frames with metal-plastic ones, or at least sealing the cracks.

Planning and Reservation

The distribution of funds for the next month should be carried out in advance. This is what saves the family budget. The advice of financial gurus says that it is not so difficult to accumulate funds for long-term goals. It is enough to put aside 5-10% of each paycheck in the piggy bank. This can be spent on expensive purchases, such as a car or an apartment.

Considered purchases

Shopping only during promotions is not the best The best way maintaining the family budget. Rather, on the contrary. Frequent shopping trips lead to high costs. It is best to shop once a week, for example on a weekend, and make a list of necessary goods in advance. If possible, go shopping without children. This will reduce unplanned expenses. What then is the saving of the family budget? Advice:

• Disposable products save time on cleaning, but take a lot of money. Swap paper towels for cloth ones, and buy faucet filters instead of bottled water.
• You need to participate in promotions only if you know for sure that you will use all the goods. Buying fabric softener with a 50% discount just because it comes as a gift with a pack of powder that has never been used before is not worth it. But you need to follow seasonal discounts in order to have time to buy clothes on sale in time.
• If possible, buy food in the same stores. Today, all supermarkets offer discount or accumulation cards to regular customers.
• Shopping in stores should be done after meals and in a good mood.

Shopping time

Some are accustomed to purchasing all the goods necessary for life immediately after receiving a salary, while others distribute these expenses into several parts. Everyone decides how to save the budget. On the one hand, a one-time payment for utilities, the purchase of goods from household chemicals and food products allows you to immediately stock up on goods. The risk of spending the required amount on recreation and entertainment is minimal. On the other hand, durable goods should not be bought as far as possible, but in bulk, at low prices.

Use envelopes

If expenses are paid in installments, then it makes sense to reserve funds for them from the moment you receive your salary. For this purpose, you can use multi-colored envelopes. For example, put aside part of the money from each paycheck for utility bills in a red envelope, insurance payments - in a green one, recreation and entertainment - in a yellow one. In this case, even if unplanned expenses occur, you can always pay off the debt on mandatory payments and set aside part of the funds for long-term goals.

Recreation organization

Not everyone can afford an expensive trip. And it is not always appropriate to save money on it for six months. Most often, the purpose of travel, especially family travel, is to change the environment and have a good time. And for this it is not necessary to fly to the other end of the world. You can go on an excursion to a neighboring city, visit historical museums, exhibitions, or just go to the forest. Bowling, a water park and playgrounds without attractions also have not been canceled. Families with children should consider home entertainment. Board games will help to relax and spend time with benefit.

Buy used goods

At auctions and online sites, you can find a large number of used goods of good quality and affordable price. Of course, family savings should not be reduced to second-hand only. But sometimes it makes sense to buy a bike or scooter through an auction.

Compare rates

The telecommunications market is highly competitive. Therefore, companies periodically hold promotions. Periodically, you need to review the tariffs of the company whose services you use, and competitors, in order to switch to a more profitable package in time.

Use bank services

Tips for saving the family budget during a crisis often include a recommendation to save money on a bank deposit or keep it on a card. Both options have the right to exist, but only with a reasonable approach.

Bank deposits are designed just to save funds, not to increase them. The rate provided for such deposits usually does not exceed the rate of inflation. But if you try to withdraw funds from the account before the end of the contract, you can lose part of the investment. Moreover, during the crisis, fearing the outflow of capital, Central banks impose temporary restrictions on the early break of deposits. And in institutions with a very difficult financial situation, a temporary administration is introduced at all. That is, the period for the return of funds invested in the deposit is constantly delayed. But this does not mean that the funds are lost forever.

If economic news does not portend major changes in the next few months, you can safely make a deposit at any commercial bank. and do not worry about the safety of funds. Otherwise, you should:

• make a deposit in state financial institutions, for example, Sberbank;
• carefully read the contract with the bank;
• open a deposit, and not purchase;
• open a short-term deposit with the possibility of prolongation.

Payment for purchases bank card excludes the possibility of losing money. But recent studies have shown that it is psychologically easier for a person to part with invisible numbers than with real pieces of paper. Therefore, the constant use of plastic can lead to a loss of control over costs. To avoid such a problem, activate the SMS informing service or download the mobile account management application to your phone. Only in this case it will be possible to visually track every penny spent. Does the bank not provide a detailed breakdown of each payment? Get into the habit of studying every number on the check.

Finally

The presented tips on saving the family budget in a crisis should not be taken as a direct guide to action. These are just tips to reduce costs. It takes time to get used to even the simplest manipulations. But the result is worth it.

14 624 0 Hello dear readers of our site. Today we will tell you about the family budget, or rather about how to manage it, how to calculate the family budget for a month, and much more. The family budget is the family's income and expenses for a certain period of time, for example, for one month. There are several family budget management methods that will ensure a reasonable distribution of finances and allow you not only not to get into debt, but also save up to 20% wages.

Family Budget Types - Planning

When planning a budget, you need to take into account its type, which is inherent in your family. Decide which one you will have: separate, common or mixed . Discuss the priorities of each of the spouses (education, investments, loans, starting your own business) and only after that start planning the family budget.

Separated

A separate family budget has gained particular popularity abroad, but in our country, many families practice a similar method of distributing financial resources. A separate budget is usually preferred by wealthy and successful people, when a certain amount is allocated for housekeeping, each of the spouses spends the remaining money on personal needs.

Advantages:

• you can save a significant amount on your personal account;
• fewer reasons for quarrels in the family;
• no family litigation in case of divorce.

Flaws:

• if there are children, then a separate family budget will not work: it’s strange for a son to chip in for sneakers or a typewriter;
• for people who represent life in the family as a joint activity, such relationships will also not work - it will be difficult for them to understand how it is possible to have something apart from the common interests of the family;
• It is impossible to turn family relations into exclusively business ones.

Mixed

A mixed type of family budget implies the allocation, for example, of 80% of the salary of a wife and husband for housekeeping, and each spends the rest on himself. If the spouses managed to save up for an expensive thing or unforeseen circumstances arose, then the rules change. You can take money from the general cash desk when you need it.

Advantages:

• an honest approach to those who have lower incomes;
• each of the spouses has personal funds, and there is no need to ask for money;
• a similar approach to money says that the relationship of the spouses is well-established and mature.

Flaws:

• maintaining a mixed family budget is not suitable if only one of the spouses works;
• neither the husband nor the wife has a desire to take responsibility for the common money;
• one of the spouses is silent about part of the income.

General

The most widespread general type, in which both spouses bring all the money received to the family, and then decide where to spend it.

Advantages:

• speaks of a trusting relationship between husband and wife;
• a spouse who does not work or receives a lower salary does not feel inferior;
• you can make large acquisitions, since two salaries are usually a significant amount.

Flaws:

• not suitable for families where one of the spouses can deny himself everything in order to buy a TV, and the other can buy something for himself without hesitation;
• a husband or wife does not tolerate the lack of personal money;
• This type of budget is not recommended for families where one of the spouses is pathologically greedy or leads an ascetic lifestyle and is little interested in the needs and desires of the other spouse.

What to consider when planning a family budget

Starting to draw up a family budget for a month, analyze income and expenses for previous months. To do this, you need to start keeping records in advance. Money. With such data in hand, spending planning will not cause difficulties.

Main components of the family budget:

• income of husband and wife (salary, social benefits, pension, part-time jobs);
• expenses (mandatory, for children, family, personal);
• reserve fund (“financial safety cushion”);
• investments.

Income

The income of the general family budget includes the wages of the wife and husband. If earnings are unstable, then it is reasonable to save some money, forming a "safety cushion" in case of a small income. In the month where a large amount enters the family budget, set aside 20% or more, if possible.

Costs

When calculating expenses, take into account income, they must necessarily correspond to each other. If you break this rule, then debts will inevitably appear.

Tips for reducing costs:

1. Buy less. This will save not only money, but also time. If you buy less food, then the amount of expired food thrown away will decrease, and sometimes there will be nothing to throw away. A pre-compiled shopping list will help protect yourself from spontaneous purchases.

Ignore the advice of psychologists to go shopping to cheer up, as well as advertising. The mood will always be good if there is money in the wallet, unplanned shopping will only contribute to a momentary and short-term improvement in mood. At first it will be difficult to change habits, but over time everything will return to normal.

1. Buy cheaper. Usually things and food bought under the influence of advertising are expensive. For example, buying an expensive mobile phone, just because it is well advertised and considered a prestigious item. Sometimes the own products produced by large supermarkets are in no way inferior to other more advertised brands. Control your desires, look for more financially profitable options, learn to bargain.
2. Analyze. By carefully recording your expenses and analyzing them, you can find out where most of the money goes. When making purchases, you will not notice many nuances, they will emerge only when analyzing the purchases made. This approach will allow you to control costs.
3. Avoid unnecessary expenses. For example, while cooking, take care of your clothes, you can change everyday outfits to home or put on an apron. Prolonging the life of shoes will allow caring for them: use creams, sprays, varnishes, clean them in a timely manner.
4. Use cash. It is psychologically easier to part with non-cash money than to count cash.

Own housing

If you don’t have your own house or apartment, then it’s worth including the column “accumulation of money for your own housing” in the family budget. Living with parents creates conditions for additional conflicts and does not allow you to build a family life on your own, therefore it is not very convenient.

Reserve part or "financial safety cushion"

This part of the family budget includes finances that may come in handy in case of unforeseen circumstances. There must be a reserve of funds that will allow the family to live for several months if one of the spouses loses his job. A reserve fund is also used to buy or repair broken household appliances (for example, a washing machine).

Investments

This is part of the family budget, which will bring passive income. This is a bank deposit, real estate, shares.

The wisest thing is to get rid of debts and loans as quickly as possible, as they negatively affect the psychological state. Try to accumulate investments in order to receive passive income in the future, the family budget will greatly benefit from this.

Family budgeting methods

One of the simple but very effective methods managing the family budget - divide it into three main parts:

• 50% of income is spent on paying for utilities, housing, food;
• 30% is spent on entertainment and other optional expenses;
• 20% go to pay off loans and debts or set aside as savings.

One version of this methodology provides for 20% of income to be spent on the formation of a financial "airbag" and debt repayment, and 80% - for other needs. There are other methods of maintaining a family budget, the most popular are “Accurate Cost Management” and “Four Envelopes”.

Accurate cost management

Maintaining a family budget using this technique involves carefully recording every penny spent. It will require time and effort, which will more than pay off with significant financial savings (up to 20% of income). Few are able to write down every purchase, including food, but you will have to do this daily, for which it is better to use an Excel spreadsheet.

Create a spreadsheet in Excel where you divide your expenses into 5 columns. First, write down utility bills (electricity, internet, rental housing). The second - the purchase of food, the third - the payment of personal needs, the fourth - spending on entertainment, the fifth - unforeseen expenses. In the evening, enter the amount spent in each of the columns (if there were any expenses) and at the end of the month you will see the real expenses. This will allow you to approach the distribution of money more thoughtfully.

You can add other columns by adapting the table for yourself, for example, household chemicals, pet care, child care, parents. The main thing is not to forget to record every little thing and you will understand how to distribute the family budget more reasonably.

The most popular family budgeting table.

The technique is suitable for those who are not able to write down every penny spent. As soon as the salary is received, immediately set aside 20% - this will be savings. Pay public Utilities, and divide the remaining money into 4 equal parts and put in envelopes. Each of these will make up your weekly budget. If the week is over, and there is money left in the envelope, you can spend it on yourself or save it.

This technique is good because it does not require painstaking accounting of costs. As soon as you start spending money wisely, the desire for spontaneous acquisitions will disappear.

A table of family budget expenditures cannot be compiled at once. It will be necessary to thoroughly find out what the money is spent on. This will take 1-2 months. The best way- make a table in MSExcel, this will allow you to make detailed explanations for each document, since the program includes several interconnected plates.

How to make a family budget in Excel

With a general family budget, the income and expenses of the family budget are meticulously entered into the table every day, and first you need to fill in the “income” columns. Then the obligatory expenses are planned:

• return of debts;
• creation of reserves (savings);
• the formation of family capital.

The next step is planning for current expenses:

• general (for children, variables, permanent);
• personal expenses of husband and wife.

Here you can also add the column "unforeseen expenses", which can be no more than 10% of the amount of income.

Expenses in the family budget are very diverse, and for the sake of completeness, it is desirable to describe them in as much detail as possible. First, write down the expenses, and then divide them into subtypes. Usually they are repeated monthly, so you will only need to change the numbers, you will not have to re-enter the “header” of the table. Set in the column "Total" and "Deviations" automatic calculation of the amount.

Separate budget

In this case, divide the family budget table into two tables: the personal budget of each spouse, where you indicate the income of each spouse separately. The general part should include expenses for the needs of the family, the maintenance of children and personal expenses.

Mixed type of family budget

First, form the personal expenses separately for each of the spouses. It can be a percentage of the family income or the husband and wife's own income. Distribute the rest for the needs of the family.

Services and programs for convenient planning and management of the family budget

• There are programs for home accounting, for example, AlzexPersonalFinance, which is based on the division into categories of income and expenses. This makes it possible to see where the money was spent without studying and analyzing reports. The program can be downloaded to a USB flash drive, installed on any external drive and always have a version for a tablet or mobile phone with you.

There are two versions of AlzexPersonalFinance:

1. Personal- designed for a single user, additional options may not be available.
2. a commercial- designed for one user, while there is access to all program options (restriction of access rights, user accounts, events, contractors, tasks).

AlzexPersonalFinance has a wide range of possibilities and an unlimited nesting of a tree-like system of categories, there are a large number of labels for each transaction. Loans and debts are recorded, financial goals are tracked and expenses are controlled. Reports can be presented in graphical form and printed. It is possible to organize a transaction by days in a calendar.

• AlzexPersonalFinance program

Using this program, you will not only understand how to keep a family budget, but you will do it as reasonably as possible.

Another program for managing the family budget is called Housekeeper, the developer is AmoSoft. The program will allow you to make your financial situation stable and control spending. Distinctive features - a simple, intuitive interface, "Housekeeper" can be used even by people who are far from accounting and computers.

Spend a few minutes daily entering data and at the end of the month you will see the most complete picture of the state of finances in the family. Reports are provided in graphical form, which allows you to visually see the strengths and weaknesses of the family budget.

The program will tell you how to save the family budget by preventing rash spending.

• "Home Finance"- the program combines flexibility and reliability in organizing the movement of family money.

The interface is thoughtful and simple, intuitive even for not very experienced users. The program will allow you to detect weaknesses in the family or personal budget, as well as organize the optimal flow of funds.

• "Home Bookkeeping"

The program is easy to use, while in it you will find all the necessary functions:

1. profit and loss accounting;
2. payment planning;
3. debt accounting;
4. account control;
5. exchange rates.

The only disadvantage of "Home Bookkeeping" is that you will have to pay 500 rubles for using it.

• MoneyTracker

MoneyTracker is designed for accounting, it is convenient to use it, but you will need to tinker and figure out what's what, since the program has a lot of functions. A distinctive feature of the program is the ability to control price changes in stores, which allows you to make a budget forecast for months or a year. There is a utility that shows how much you spend (green indicator - everything is fine, red indicates that the family budget is in danger).

• DomFin

The DomFin program can be used for free, the interface is primitive: the functions for accounting are clearly and specifically set. It is intuitively clear where to record expenses and where income should be recorded.

• AceMoney

You will have to pay 500 rubles for using the program. In the free version, you can use only one account, which is inconvenient. The negative point is that there is only one operation in AceMoney: a transaction, you will not find “income” and “expenses” departments.

Advantages of AceMoney:

• can keep records valuable papers and shares;
• there are templates according to which you can distribute expenses (utility payments, food), you don’t have to do them yourself;
• you can monitor the status of your bank accounts (for example, at what percentage the money lies).

To choose the best program for your own needs, you need to clearly understand the goal you want to achieve. Also, the program should be selected taking into account the characteristics of a particular family budget. For some, certain functions are completely useless and will never be needed.

1. Don't forget the reason why you decided to start family budget planning. This is not because it is necessary or someone said, but in order, for example, to reduce spending.
2. Clearly define for yourself the ultimate goal of your actions. For example, by the end of the year, save up for a car.
3. Accounting for income and expenses must be very accurate and thorough.
4. Consider ways to form a "financial safety cushion" for the family.
5. Set aside money on deposit accounts in a bank without the possibility of withdrawing them until the end of the period. There are deposits that can be replenished, but cannot be withdrawn before a certain date.
6. Look at your own actions realistically: you cannot become an ace in the family budget in one month, start small.
7. Do not be afraid to radically change something in the family budget. In life, something is constantly changing, including wages and expenses.

Psychologist, experience practical work 16 years. Olga works in the following areas: Gestalt therapy, Psychodrama, Systemic family therapy, Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Hello, friends!

I am an economist by education, at the university I introduce students to the basics of economics. Including with such concepts as income and expenses of the enterprise. Complete clarity in light but far from real economy young minds, comes when we analyze these terms on everyday examples. For example, on a family - this is the same enterprise, only a small one. And the family budget plays no less important role than the budget of a company or a country.

A family budget is a plan of family income and expenses for a certain time period (month or year).

It is more important, in my opinion, to decide on the question of why it is necessary to conduct it. Let's try to highlight the most important reasons.

• Accounting for real income

Without knowing all your income and all sources of funds, it is impossible to plan expenses and set achievable goals for the future.

• Cost control

If you've ever wondered where all the money went, spending control will give you the answer. We often do not notice how small expenses on snacks eat up our budget. But they can be completely painlessly abandoned.

• Cost planning

Once you have control, the next step is planning. Most of our expenses are permanent. For example, paying for gasoline or travel to public transport, utility bills, children's clubs and sections, shopping trips, etc. Knowing all the upcoming expenses next month, it's easy to plan something more serious.

• Accumulation

For some, this is the most pleasant bonus from maintaining a family budget. For example, in my family, the lion's share of income is spent on travel. Very expensive events, you can not do without savings. Therefore, it is very important to know how much I can put aside per month without harming the interests of the family. Read my article about ways to save money.

• Creation of an “airbag”

So far, for many, including me, emergency supplies for a “rainy day” is an unattainable dream. But we must understand that for the family this goal is one of the most important. Agree that few people want to end up in poverty in the event of a job loss or unforeseen large expenses. In these cases, you need a "airbag".

• Peace and tranquility in the family

How often do you hear from a husband that a wife spends too much money on clothes and coffee with her girlfriends. And from the wife constant reproaches that the husband allows himself weekly trips to the bar, bowling, fishing, etc. Familiar? Maintaining a family budget will allow you to sort out income and expenses, teach you how to save and always have money for what your soul asks for. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a new dress or a fancy fishing rod.

Types of family budget

At the very beginning of family life, the question inevitably arises of who will be in charge of distributing finances, or, more simply, who will manage the family budget. And it is better not to shelve the solution of this issue, because, I will not be afraid of this word, the well-being of the family depends on it.

What are the types of family budgets?

Joint

All the money earned by a husband and wife is put in one place, for example, in an envelope or a box. Each family member has the right to take the amount he needs for urgent needs. As a rule, large purchases are discussed at the family council and are made together.

It should be noted that today the management of such a budget has become more complicated due to the widespread bank cards. I felt it myself, because my family's budget is a common wallet. Therefore, now we are forced to move to a different look, which I don’t really like.

Based on the existing long-term (more than 18 years) experience in maintaining a joint budget, I will tell you about the basic principles on which it is built:

• a greater degree of responsibility of both spouses in matters of spending;
• absolute trust in each other;
• constant control of expenses so as not to end up with an empty bark ... an envelope;
• obligatory discussion of large purchases;
• an atmosphere of mutual understanding and kindness, when neither spouse allows himself to reproach the other for the amount of earnings.

If at least one of the principles is violated, then this type of financial control is not for you.

Separated

This type of budgeting, in my opinion, is most common between people who have joined in a couple already being held financially. For example, remarriage or marriage at an older age. The peculiarity of this type is that each spouse has his own wallet. Husband and wife are in complete control of their personal finances. Often spouses do not even know about the real amount of each other's income.

How, then, is the issue of payment resolved, for example, a joint trip to a restaurant or a trip on vacation, utility bills and child support? As a rule, the costs for these items are divided in half.

Principles of building a separate budget:

• spouses are only responsible for their part of the budget;
• the ability to resolve possible conflicts in matters of payment of common expenses;
• greater independence than with a joint budget in matters of control and accumulation;
• more freedom of action in matters of gifts and surprises for your soulmate.

sole proprietorship

A type of budgeting in which all money is concentrated in the hands of one person. He takes full responsibility for the control of income and expenses. This practice is suitable for families in which one of the spouses often succumbs to the temptation of spontaneous purchases, does not keep track of expenses and gets into debt.

Principles of sole ownership and disposal of money:

• one of the spouses bears moral and material responsibility not only for himself, but also for all family members;
• the second principle emerges from the first, it must be as organized and financially literate as possible;
• it is important to maintain a balance in relationships so as not to constantly remind your soulmate of her position in the family.

Shared or separate, or maybe sole? Advice in resolving this issue can only do harm. Answer it in the way that is best only for you, and not for your advisers.

Stages of maintaining a family budget

In the 1st section, I answered the question of why you need to keep a family budget. And if I was able to convince you of the need to maintain it, now it's time to move on to the question of how to budget correctly.

I have identified 6 main steps:

Stage 1. Preparatory.

Before starting the planning and accumulation process, it is necessary to follow up for several months on all family income and expenses. This can be done in a notebook, in an Excel spreadsheet, in special computer programs or in mobile application. We will talk about budgeting methods a little later. The main principles to be followed at this stage are:

• daily record of all receipts and expenditures;
• allocation of costs to categories and subcategories;
• calculation at the end of the month of the results for all sections in order to identify the most costly items;
• we make a table on income, do not forget about accounting for all sources of income.

How to allocate expenses and income? For example, in the table I broke down my family's expenses into categories: utility bills, education, food + manufactured goods, transport, health, leisure, clothing, large purchases, and others. Within each category there are also subcategories.

Stage 2. Analysis of the collected data.

After 2 - 3 months of collecting the initial data, analyze them. Is that what you collected them for? What expenses are obligatory for your family, and which ones can you refuse forever (for example, smoking) or temporarily (for example, buying a new blouse every month)?

The more detailed you entered the expenses made in the table, the more accurate the analysis will be. This is necessary so that you reveal the hidden reserves of your family budget. Those starting points from which you will build on the next step.

Stage 3. Goal setting.

After you have analyzed and identified reserves, you need to determine what you want to achieve in the near or long term. Goals can be very different. For instance:

• saving money for holidays
• buying a new refrigerator
• preparation for a comfortable retirement, etc.

Stage 4. Development of strategy and tactics.

Perhaps the most difficult and responsible stage. On it, you must develop a strategy and tactics for maintaining a family budget that will help you achieve your goals.

Here you should clearly state, in as much detail as possible, your actions. For example, there is a goal - to save money for a vacation in the amount of 70,000 rubles. He has 7 months left. So every month you have to save 10,000 rubles.

You don't have to set unattainable goals. Buy a secluded island in the ocean with an average monthly income of 50,000 rubles. - you are unlikely to be able to. But to go there on vacation is quite.

I am often asked by colleagues at work, how can I go on vacation abroad 2 times a year with the same income as them? They cannot afford this. I have already stopped explaining anything to them, they do not hear and do not want to hear. And here I will answer.

Yes I love to travel. This is the passion of my life, and I have infected my whole family with it. Therefore, we have one goal for the year - to conquer the next route. Neither I nor my husband have expensive cars, phones, fur coats and jewelry. For me, all this is an empty phrase. From each amount we earn, we save for the only thing that is of value to us - vivid emotions and impressions from trips, from getting to know a foreign culture, people, language. Keeping a family budget helps a lot.

If you want to increase your income, cut your expenses. In my article on savings, I go into more detail about ways to reduce costs.

Stage 5. Planning a family budget for a month.

Here again you need a table, but in a more complicated version. Income and expenses should be additionally divided into columns “Plan” and “Fact”. Remember the example of a goal - to accumulate 70,000 rubles. on vacation? We make our contributions of 10,000 rubles. and all other mandatory expenses in the "Plan" column. We put down the actual values ​​and display the deviations.

Monthly table example

The numbers in the table are conditional, for example. The result of our planning is that we saved 14,200 rubles.

Stage 6. Analysis of the results.

At the end of the month, we should sum up. Compare planned and actual amounts. On what items it was possible to save, and on what the overspending was formed.

In our conditional example, at the end of the month we saved 14,200 rubles. Further, it is logical to resolve the issue with this “extra” money. What to do with them? Each family decides this differently. Someone will spend on the purchase of the necessary (or not so) things. Someone put it on deposit. Someone walks in a restaurant. In any case, the choice is yours. No advice is relevant here.

And then you need to make a new table for the next month. And our stages are repeated, except for the 1st and 2nd. Stage 3 can also be excluded if the goal was set long-term and is not achieved in one month.

Ways to manage a family budget

Until now, we have talked with you about accounting for income and expenses in tabular form. Where and how to compile such tables will be discussed in this section.

Accounting on paper

Get a notebook or notebook, take a pen or pencil. This is the whole stationery set for budgeting. You will need a calculator at the end of the month. I started doing home bookkeeping in this way, so I’ll tell you about its pros and cons from my own experience.

1. Free. Your costs are only paper and pen.
2. Available to all family members. Children or elderly people who are not computer literate can easily cope with tables on paper. At the end of the day, each family member can enter their expenses in a notebook.
3. Use anywhere. The table can be practiced in the car, on the bus on the way to work, on the plane, on the train, on a picnic. No computer needed, no internet needed.

1. All totals will have to be calculated manually. It takes a very long time.
2. It is very easy to miscalculate. And you may not find the error. They pressed the wrong number on the calculator and that's it ...

For example, I only had enough for 1 month of such budgeting. Since we recorded all expenses in detail, by the end of the reporting period we had 7 pages of A4 format filled out.

Tables in Excel

This is the way to which sooner or later you will come anyway. A month later, I transferred all my family accounting to Excel.

1. Beautiful decoration. You can highlight income and expenses in different colors, fill the entire table or individual cells.
2. Automatic calculation of totals. Set up all the necessary formulas so that when you enter the next amount, the totals are recalculated.
3. Graphic analytics. Excel has many options for building pie and column charts. You can visually see which expenses in your budget have the largest share, and you can make adjustments for the next month.
4. Internet access is not required.

1. Computer skills in general and Excel in particular are required. This may not be possible for older people or people who do not deal with computer programs and do not want to learn it.
2. The ability to maintain a budget only if you have access to a computer. If you are afraid to forget about the expenses made during the day, it is convenient to write them down in a notebook or phone. In the evening, transfer all records to a computer.

Google Sheets

Another great way to manage your budget is Google Sheets. If you are familiar with Excel, it will not be difficult for you to deal with these tables. The feature set and interface are very similar. But there are a number of undeniable advantages:

• filling tables online, no need to save anything, everything happens automatically;
• in the event of a computer breakdown, all tables will be saved, and you can easily access them;
• All family members can take part in filling out the tables from any device and at any time convenient for them.

For now, I decided to stick with this method. It is necessary to fill your own hand and teach family members to take into account their expenses and incomes on a daily basis. In a couple of months I will move on to the next method - special programs and mobile applications.

Special programs and applications for family accounting

While collecting material for writing this article, I was so carried away by the topic that I immediately caught fire to keep a budget in a special program on a computer and in a mobile application. And here a surprise awaited me. There were not many of them, but very many. Which one to choose? So far, this process is at my testing stage, but I have already identified some main principles:

1. It should be a program adapted for both the computer and the phone. In this case, you can do bookkeeping anywhere.
2. Synchronization between desktop and mobile versions.
3. Free or shareware. If you do not need many of the features offered by the developers, then there is no point in overpaying.
4. Clear interface.

But I will tell you about the most popular programs. In my opinion, it is important to be able to use the same program on both a smartphone and a computer (or tablet). This increases mobility - you can fill out tables, plan and view reports at home, in the car or on vacation.

Let's see what the developers offer us:

1. Alzex Finance (previously called Personal Finances).

Peculiarities:

• income and expenses are divided into categories;
• multicurrency (all world currencies) + precious metals;
• generating reports;
• the program is easy to learn for beginners;
• free and paid versions.

2. DrebeDengi.

Peculiarities:

• there is a demo version to get acquainted with the program;
• the ability to conduct offline and synchronize with applications for iPhone, Android, Windows OS;
• the possibility of maintaining a family budget by several family members;
• data export to Excel;
• formation of expenses plan/actual;
• generating reports;
• processing SMS from banks, taking photos of checks and saving them to the phone;
• free and paid versions.

3. Zen money.

Peculiarities:

• there is a demo version and a presentation to familiarize beginners;
• synchronization between a Windows computer and a mobile version (Android and iOS);
• income and expense planning;
• the possibility of maintaining a family budget by several family members;
• recognition of SMS from the bank;
• generation of reports in the form of tables and graphs;
• free and paid versions.

4.EasyFinance.

Peculiarities:

• synchronization between a Windows computer and Android and iOS phones;
• fixing income and expenses, grouping into categories and subcategories;
• creation of templates for the most frequent operations;
• overrun alarm;
• planning income and expenses using forecasts and the planning wizard;
• the possibility of maintaining a family budget by several family members;
• loading operations on bank cards;
• building charts for financial analysis;
• free and paid versions.

5. Online service Home budget.

Peculiarities:

• works both on a home computer and on a mobile;
• accounting in any currency of the world;
• breakdown of expenses by categories and subcategories;
• planning, recording and analysis of income and expenses in the form of graphs and reports;
• the presence of a scheduler with a reminder function.

1. You do not need to independently compile analytical tables, enter formulas and build graphs. The developers have already taken care of this.
2. From the variety of programs, you can choose the one that will suit you in all respects.
3. You can choose a free option.

1. In many popular programs, some of the functions are available for an additional fee.
2. Internet access may be required.
3. If your phone is lost or your computer breaks down, all data may be lost.

Conclusion

The topic covered in this article is very important and interesting. I discovered many new things for myself. I am sure that an enterprise without competent planning, organization, management and control will not be able to function effectively. At the beginning of the article, we found out that the family is a small business. Therefore, the same principles apply to it as to any other enterprise.

You don't have to be an economist or financier to learn how to keep a family budget. This is quite an exciting activity, which also has practical benefits. We raise financial literacy learning to save and save. Agree that a few minutes every day are worth putting things in order once and for all in your wallet and in your head.

I also invite you, and you will regularly receive copyrighted, useful articles in which we will discuss issues relating to each of us.

The family is a state in miniature: it has a head, an adviser, subsidized population”, income and expense items. Planning, distribution and sequestration ( familiar words?) of the family budget is an important task. How to save and save without going on a starvation ration? - Create a table of accounting for funds received by the family, and revise the structure of payments.

• Money- one of the greatest tools created by man. They can buy freedom, experience, entertainment and everything that makes life more comfortable. But they can be squandered, spent who knows where, and senselessly squandered.

Legendary American actor of the early twentieth century Will Rogers said:

"Too many people spend money on things they don't need to impress people they don't like."

Have your income been less than your expenses in the last few months? Yes? Then you are not alone, but in a big company. The problem is that this is not a very good company. Debts, loans, penalties and late payments are growing like a snowball ... it's time to jump out of a sinking boat!

Why you need to keep a family budget

“Money is just a tool. They will take you where you want, but they will not replace you as a driver,” Russian-born writer who emigrated to the States, Ayn Rand, learned firsthand the need to plan and budget her own finances.

Unconvincing? Here three good reasons Start planning your family budget

1. The calculation of the family budget will help you figure out long-term goals and work in a given direction. If you drift aimlessly, throwing money at every attractive item, how can you save money and take a long-awaited vacation, buy a car or make a down payment on a mortgage?
2. Table of family budget expenses sheds light on spontaneous spending and forces to reconsider shopping habits. Do you really need 50 pairs of black high heels? Family budget planning forces you to prioritize and refocus on achieving your goals.
3. Illness, divorce, or job loss can lead to serious financial crisis. Emergencies happen at the most inopportune times. That is why everyone needs reserve fund. The structure of the family budget necessarily includes the column " saving"- a financial pillow that will help you stay afloat for three to six months.

How to allocate the family budget

A few rules of thumb for planning a family budget, which we will give here, can serve as a rough guide for making decisions. Everyone's situation is different and constantly changing, but the basic principles are a good starting point.

50/20/30 rule

Elizabeth and Amelia Warren, authors of the book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan" (in translation " All Your Wealth: The Ultimate Money Plan for Life”) describe a simple but effective method budgeting.

Instead of breaking down household spending into 20 different categories, they recommend dividing the budget structure into three main components:

• 50% of income must cover basic expenses such as housing, taxes and groceries;
• 30% - optional expenses: entertainment, going to a cafe, cinema, etc.;
• 20% goes to pay off loans and debts, and is also set aside as a reserve.

80/20 rule

Step 2: Determine the income and expenses of the family budget

It's time to look at the structure of the family budget. Start by compiling a list of all sources of income: wages, alimony, pensions, part-time jobs, and other options for getting money into the family.

Expenses include everything you spend money on.

Divide spending into fixed and variable payments. Fill in the fields for variable and fixed costs in the table for maintaining a family budget, based on your own experience. detailed instructions on working with the excel file in the next chapter.

The budget allocation should take into account the size of the family, living conditions and desires of all members of the "cell of society". A short list of categories is already included in the sample table. Consider the categories of expenses that will be needed to further refine the structure.

Income structure

As a rule, the income column includes:

• the salary of the head of the family (marked "husband");
• earnings of the chief adviser ("wife");
• interest on deposits;
• pension;
• social benefits;
• part-time jobs (private lessons, for example).

Cost column

Expenses are divided into fixed, that is, unchanged: fixed tax payments; home, car and health insurance; fixed amounts for internet and TV. This also includes those 10 - 20% that need to be set aside for unforeseen cases and a "rainy day".

Variable cost graph:

• products;
• medical service;
• spending on a car
• clothes;
• payment for gas, electricity, water;
• personal expenses of the spouses (recorded and planned separately);
• seasonal spending on gifts;
• contributions to school and kindergarten;
• entertainment;
• expenses for children.

Depending on your desire, you can supplement, concretize the list or reduce it by enlarging and combining expense items.

Step 3: Track your spending throughout the month

It is unlikely that it will be possible to draw up a table of the family budget this very hour, it is necessary to find out where and in what proportions the money goes. This will take one to two months. In the finished excel spreadsheet, which you can download for free, start making expenses, gradually adjusting the categories " for yourself».

Below you will find detailed explanations for this document, since this excel includes several interrelated tables at once.

• The purpose of this step is to get a clear idea of ​​your financial situation, visualize the structure of expenses and, in the next step, adjust the budget.

Step 4: Separate Needs from Wants

When people start recording spending, they find that a lot of money " flies away» on completely unnecessary things. Impulse, unplanned expenses seriously hit the pocket if the level of income is not so high that a couple - another thousand pass unnoticed.

Refuse to buy until you are sure that the item is absolutely necessary for you. Wait a few weeks. If it turns out that you really can't live without the item you want, then it really is a necessary expense.

A little advice: put aside credit and debit cards. Use cash to learn how to save. It is psychologically easier to part with virtual amounts than to count papers.

How to plan a family budget in a table

Now you know what is really happening with your money.

Look at the categories of expenses that you want to cut and make your own plan using a free excel spreadsheet.

Many people don't like the word " budget”, because they believe that these are restrictions, deprivations and lack of entertainment. Relax, an individual spending plan will allow you to live within your means, avoid stress and sleep better, and not think about how to get out of debt.

"An annual income of £20 and annual consumption 19.06 - lead to happiness. An income of 20 pounds and an expense of 20.6 lead to suffering, ”the ingenious note of Charles Dickens reveals the basic law of planning.

Enter the finished family budget in the table

You set goals, defined income and expenses, decided how much you would start saving each month for emergencies andfigured out the difference between needs and wants. Take another look at the budget sheet in the table and fill in the empty columns.

The budget is not static, fixed figures once and for all. You can always correct it if necessary. For example, you planned to spend 15 thousand monthly on groceries, but after a couple of months you noticed that you spend only 14 thousand. Make additions to the table - redirect the saved amount to the “savings” column.

How to budget with irregular income

Not everyone has Full time job with regular salary payments. This does not mean that you cannot create a budget; but that means you have to plan in more detail.

• One strategy is to calculate the average income over the past few years and focus on this figure.
• Second way- determine for yourself a stable salary from your own income - what you will live on, and save the surplus to an insurance account. In lean months, the account balance will decrease exactly by the missing amount. But your "salary" will remain unchanged.
• Third planning option- maintain two budget tables in parallel: for " good" and " bad» months. It is somewhat more difficult, but nothing is impossible. The danger that lies in wait for you along the way: people spend and take out loans, expecting income from the best months. If the "black streak" drags on a little, the credit funnel will eat up both current and future income.

Below you will find solutions on how to distribute the family budget according to the table.

After we have decided on the main goals, let's try to distribute the family budget for a month, indicate current income and expenses in the table, in order to correctly manage the funds, so that we can save for the main goals without missing out on current and everyday needs.

Open the second sheet Budget"and fill in the fields of monthly income, annual income, and the program will calculate the results itself, for example:

In columns " variable costs" and " fixed costs» enter the estimated figures. Add new items where it says " other", in place of unnecessary names, enter your own:

Now go to the tab of the month from which you decided to start saving and planning family expenses. On the left you will find columns in which you need to fix the date of purchase, select a category from the drop-down list and make a note.

• Additional notes are very convenient to refresh your memory if necessary and clarify what exactly the money was spent on.

The data that is entered in the table for example, just delete and write your own:

To account for expenses and income by months, we suggest looking at the table on the third sheet in our Excel " This year“, this table is automatically populated based on your expenses and income, summarizes and gives you an idea of ​​your progress:

And on the right will separate table, which will automatically sum up all expenses for the year:

Nothing complicated. Even if you have never tried to master working with Excel spreadsheets, highlighting the desired cell and entering numbers is all that is required.

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