A spending plan (aka “budget”) is a key to taking control of your money. But it’s not enough to make a spending plan. To get results, you need to go the next step and work your plan.
Think about it: you could make a plan that works out perfectly on paper — all your bills are paid, you have enough money for needs like groceries and gas and also some fun, AND you also put some money toward your longer-term financial goals. However, if your plan calls for spending $500 a month on groceries, and you actually spend $700 on groceries, then your plan is wrecked. You’ll end up with unpaid bills, unmet needs, and/or zero progress toward your goals. Even a “perfect” plan is no good if you don’t follow it.
Following a spending plan doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take some attention: you’ll need a strategy to help you stay within the spending limits of your plan. In other words, you’ll need some method of tracking or monitoring your spending.
Let’s stick with the grocery example above. Perhaps we go to the grocery store 6-8 times during a month. If we want to make sure we keep our grocery spending below $500, we’re going to need some type of on-going record of what we’re spending. Maybe we just keep a list of grocery spending. Maybe we use a paper ledger form, an excel spreadsheet or a purchased software program. Maybe we use an app on our phone designed for that purpose. We could even put $500 cash in an envelope and only buy groceries using that cash — that way we would be unable to spend more than we planned.
A note of realism: unexpected events can interfere with our plans. A grocery example: suppose relatives decide to come visit you for a weekend. Suddenly your original grocery allotment of $500 might no longer be sufficient. Your plan will need to change. It’s your plan – you are free to change it if you need or want to change it! And here’s the good news – that change doesn’t have to wreck your plan! By keeping track and being aware that you are spending extra on groceries, you will know that you need to reduce your spending in some other area to compensate for your extra grocery spending. You will adjust your overall plan intentionally to accommodate the change.
Finding the right tool. There are multiple tools and strategies available to help with following your plan; different tools suit different people, so consider what will be most workable for you. The ISU Extension publication “Tracking Your Spending” provides a helpful overview of basic methods. Because no publication can keep up with the ever-changing landscape of software and mobile applications, some online research will be needed if you want to explore and compare those options.
For Iowans who would like help with making and following a spending plan, Extension specialists are available for one-on-one consultations, either in person or via phone or zoom. Don’t hesitate to contact us!
