In order to maintain your home budget, you can get a software package for managing your personal budget. You can read the reviews about these best personal budget software to make your decision. Some of the reviews may be very helpful and others not that great. So you have to make your own decision about choosing the right software package. Once you purchase the software, it will do the job it is required to do.

When you are looking for solutions to your personal financial requirements, you want to create custom lists and reports that won’t require budget items limited to corporations. Hence, unlike many financial software producers who just want one software for all purposes, you will find the home budgeting software very useful as it will plan and track your income, expenses and investments according to your requirements.

What are the benefits of home budget software?

Any competent user who is working on computer based spreadsheets will rather create a complex workbook for tracking the income and expenses will be quite difficult. When you get this software, you are able to create alerts and reminders so that you don’t miss any important date or deadline. You will easily remember the payment dates as well as other events and it will leave a good impact on your personal finance and credit scores.

This personal finance software has the custom reports feature that will allow you to search for any data within a given range. For example, if you want to know how much you spent for the first six months in restaurants, you will be able to pull the report through this software. Or, if you want to keep a track of how much donation you have made to your church or community, this software will be very helpful.

Tips on choosing the best personal budget software

If you are a beginner, you don’t have to use software with all the advanced features. Keep it very simple. Then you will look for the features and functions that you will need to control your budget, like visual reports and flexible reporting with configurable user options. If you want to track investments in your financial plans, then will need software that can retrieve current stock pricing.

Finally, you will choose the right software that will help you in achieving success. You can set all the goals that you want, but if it is not capable of including successful completion of these goals, then it is probably not the right one for you. Make sure that you research the company or the software developer before buying it. You can check out in the forums where all the technical issues are discussed and solved.

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By financen | August 6, 2018 - 5:36 pm - Posted in Budget, Debt, Financial planning, Savings

Financial planning can be a great step towards your future regardless of what age you are or what your budget looks like. It really doesn’t even matter if you have a budget at all. This is what makes having a financial advisor so great. They can help get you on the right track no matter where you’re starting from. Here are some great financial planning tips to think about while you search for the right financial advisor montana can offer you.

Budgeting

This always seems to be the most important first step of getting your finances to where you want them to be. You can’t make decisions about which bills are due or how much you can save if you don’t even know what is coming in or where it’s going. Sit down with some check stubs and figure out just how much you bring home. Then, take a look at your bank statement and past months bills to figure out an average of what you’re spending. This will get you well on your way to a functional budget.

Savings and Debt

After you’ve determined how much income you have and what bills are getting paid, you can start to think about paying off debt and saving towards retirement or other large expenses. If your budget is really tight, you can try increasing your income through various side work. In addition, saving even five dollars every month may not seem like a lot, but it will add up quick.

As you can see, budgeting is a series of steps that can help get you to where you want with your finances. Take the steps one at a time, and make sure you are keeping track of income and expenses as you go. If you do this, then you will be able to stop living paycheck to paycheck and you can actually start seeing some of the fruits of your hard work.

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By financen | April 3, 2018 - 4:48 pm - Posted in Budget

It’s no surprise that ponds are pricey additions to your home, but they can enhance the peacefulness, attractiveness, and property value of your home as well. If you have your heart set on having a pond to brighten up your yard but budget is a concern, we’ve got you covered with a few tips and tricks to help you put in a pond on a budget.

Start by Establishing a Budget

The first step to keep on budget is making a budget. Sit down and figure out what the look you have your eye on typically runs and what you’re realistically willing to spend. Consider what extras you may want, what that will cost, and if you can afford it or live without it. This step is crucial because it’ll help you see if it’s going to be possible to put in a pond with the look you want on your budget. If you aren’t going to be happy with the way it looks, there’s no point in stretching your budget to put one in; it’d be better to wait until you can afford what you want.

Plan Out the Features You Want

An important part of sticking to your budget is planning what it is you’re going to get. If you do your research beforehand and plan out your list, you’re less likely to buy impulsively or get conned into buying useless extras for which you have no need. This helps to ensure you keep on budget and get all the items you wanted and help you to shop around for the best price, since you know exactly what it is you’re looking for. It’s also a great opportunity to decide what items you can and can’t live without it with your new pond.

Shop Around and Take Advantage of Low Prices Online

The number one key way to saving money on putting in a pond is shopping around for the best price. While local specialty shops and home improvement stores are convenient, they’re also way more expensive than some of the online options you have. It’s important to find the best deals on every part of your pond installation, from pond pumps to the extra features you want. This will ensure your pond remains within budget without you having to sacrifice much of what you wanted, if anything.

Putting your ideal pond in to enhance your property can seem like an unattainable dream but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. You can put a lovely pond in without breaking your budget with a little consideration and research. As long as you establish a budget, plan out the items you want and stick to your list, and shop around for the best price, you can put your dream pond in without having to sacrifice the look you wanted. However, if you’re not going to be happy without certain features you can’t afford, it’s probably better to hold off and save the money to get the look you want.

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By financen | January 15, 2018 - 5:08 pm - Posted in Budget, Money and Banking

Eric Roberge is a financial planner at Beyond Your Hammock. He gives a valuable budgeting advice:

“The key is to take action and use a system to help you stay consistent in managing your money every month, and making sure you’re covering your expenses, being responsible by saving for tomorrow, and giving yourself some room to enjoy life today.”

Budgeting has become a necessity since the commercialization of products, and traveling culture is being excessively promoted.

2018 is already here! Household Budget spreadsheets are good to start your new year with; that involves all your important financial goals, income and expenses, and savings and investments.

Here’s a guide to planning your yearly budget and the reasons why you should think about budgeting your finances.

50-20-30 Rule

The famous budgeting rule has helped millions of people to manage their finances without getting into a loss. It involves three categories of expenses:

50% of Income: It should be spent on necessities and living expenses. It involves billings, rents, groceries, and transportation.

20% of Income: It requires fulfillment of financial goals that include investments, debts, and saving.

30% of Income: It’s the best part of spending which you can invest in your wants and wishes. It’s the flexible spending part of the income.

Reasons Why Budgeting Is Important?

Your neighbor may be able to afford $5000 per month but not necessarily you. Everyone’s income and expenses are unique. So, we all have to budget our salaries to understand the limits of expenses in the three spending areas of 50-20-30 rule.

  1. To set priorities:

Budgeting helps us in setting the priorities based on necessities, flexible spending, and financial goals. What debts have to be paid urgently? What needs have to be fulfilled first and foremost? What are the wants and desires that come at the top of the list?

When we are clear about our priorities, we are easily able to skip the excesses. No matter how much the sales with a 50% off tag are attractive, we have a vivid vision of our goals.

If getting out of debt is among your priorities, it’s essential to manage your limited funds and cut back on excessive expenses.

  1. To achieve the annual financial goals:

Achievement of financial goals begins with understanding the structure of your earnings, spending, savings, and investments of the previous years. Many banks provide you with a record of all your bills and payments throughout the year. Collect the credit card, bank and income statement records to get an overview of your spending.

Set the financial goals in terms of debts, investments, and savings for achieving the flexible goals. Once you budget your money perfectly, you can even achieve more than the estimated financial goals.

  1. To save and cut off excesses:

Money management begins with budgeting. Once your yearly spreadsheet has been made, you can save more than required.

When we are clear about our needs and wants, we can cut off the wants and save the money. It appears difficult at first but then becomes a habit.

A simple life of a minimalist is free from a lot of clutter. It can allow you to plan your travel ventures around the globe. After all, who doesn’t want to explore the world? Who doesn’t want to experience the change?

  1. To plan the retirement:

Having a foresight for future is of imperative importance. Always plan out well your retirement beforehand!

Retirement should be included in the budgeting process. From your overall savings of the year, set aside a percentage of earnings for after-retirement years.  For considering to invest in bitcoins and to put them into your retirement account, you can get more information here.

  1. To fulfill the desires:

If you had a dream to travel the world but could never achieve it, budgeting is a good solution for you. Budgeting your money can save you a lot. Statistics reveal how much we spend on our wants rather than on our needs.

Being aware of your spending is the key here. I guarantee that you can fulfill all your dreams.

A lot of people ignore the significance of budgeting and run into debts. Money management is an additional skill that you can learn to make your life easier and happier.

Author Bio:

Sarah Smith has been a personal finance author for the last five years. She is also an independent and a very passionate finance and investment advisor. She regularly posts at www.personalincome.org/

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By financen | December 21, 2017 - 4:30 pm - Posted in Budget, Personal Finance
  1. Make socks your friend: Even with the room heater on, the floor can get really cold during the night, and especially in winter. Having socks on when walking around the house, instead of turning the heat all the way up can save lots of energy in the long run.
  1. Tap on the available heat: Simple household activities such as cooking, taking a shower, or even ironing the clothes generate reasonable amounts of heat. You could tap on these to keep the house warm during winter. One way to do this is leaving the bathroom door open when taking a shower, and not turning the ventilation fan on. This should allow heat from the bathroom disperse to other rooms.
  1. Turn down the heat by 5 or 10 percent: Turning the heat down by a few degrees can save you lots of energy (up to 10% of heating bills) in the long run. Your body won’t notice the difference, but will instead re-adjust to the temperatures. Consider turning down the heater when leaving the house for a few hours.
  1. Lower water heater temperatures too: Turning down the water heater thermostat by 20 degrees say from 140 to 120 degrees can contribute to lower heating bills as well.
  1. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat works a lot better than the old ones. The thermostat makes it possible to adjust heat levels at predetermined times, as well as turn off the heater completely when no one is in the house. Although you may have to part with $80 for one, you’ll most likely save so much more in a year and more to come once it is installed. If you want more tips on cheaper heating, consult this blog at Ethanol Fireplace Pros.
  1. Seal the house to prevent unnecessary heat loss: Doors, windows, and air vents can let warm air escape leaving the heater to work harder to maintain a constant temperature. Ensuring these are correctly shut, and the vents well sealed however creates an envelope of warm air, thus minimizing heat loss. This also means the heater won’t have to work as hard to keep the room/house warm.
  1. Call for regular service and maintenance: Both oil and electric heaters should be serviced by an experienced technician at least once a year. It’s by having the unit serviced that it can run more efficiently with little to no breakdowns. You also ought to ensure the air filters are clean and clear to facilitate proper air movement.
  1. Ensure windows are covered at night: Having curtains over your windows at night not only improves privacy in the house, but also reduces heat loss. This is particularly crucial for older homes with old windows. You however should draw the curtains to let daylight in during the day. Daylight brings warmth – allowing sunrays into the house helps heat the house.
  1. Ensure the outdoor unit is well-taken care of: Most people tend to overlook the outdoor unit forgetting it is equally important as the indoor unit is. Checking the unit for condensate, blocked pan, or overgrowth on the same, and ensuring everything is clear will enable it to continue functioning optimally throughout the cold season. Be sure to get rid of twigs, grass, leaves, and overhanging branches around the same.
  1. Look out for air leaks: Air leaks in the house can be the biggest cause spikes in your home energy bill. Inspect the house for air leaks using a candle. Hold a candle flame next to windows, air vents, the door, and anywhere you suspect there’s a leak. If the candle flame is blown to one direction, then that’s a clear sign of a leak. Inspecting the area farther should help you determine the exact spot, then use weather-stripping or caulk to seal it off. Adding some insulation may help too.
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By financen | August 23, 2016 - 4:37 pm - Posted in Budget, Family Budget

One of the best moments in a couple’s life is when they start a family. It adds more pleasure and happiness when you have a baby and you will hold it in your arms. Before you plan for a baby, it is important that you know about all the costs and if you will be able to afford it. After you have a baby, your expenses will go up for the long term. So you must check your income before finalizing this decision.

It starts from regular appointments with the doctors, then going for medical checkups and routine investigations, and then you make the final bookings for the day of delivery. It can be quite heavy on your wallet. And these expenses will keep on increasing even after the delivery, because you now have three heads to look after. You have to buy all the necessary things for the baby. Starting from diapers to pieces of cloth to pram, the number is uncountable.

financial plan for childWhen the time comes and you know that you are going to become a parent, you feel very excited and many parents waste a lot of money in this excitement. They start buying all sorts of toys and clothes when they don’t even know when the baby is going to come. Hence it is important to keep your emotions intact and not waste money like this. You should save this money for prenatal care. It can be used for all the doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds and regular health checkups. It can cost up to $2000 on an average.

When you are approaching the delivery date, you have to make bookings in the hospital. A normal delivery can cost up to $15000 and a cesarean operation can cost up to $20000. It is important to have an insurance cover before you start your family as these expenses can be included in it. Once you have the baby, then it is time to buy clothes, diapers, feeders, milk, sleeping bed, pram and toys. It should not cost you more than $5000 on an average.

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By financen | February 1, 2016 - 6:01 pm - Posted in Budget, Investment, Savings

Life is just not just about big dreams, high end luxuries and expensive comforts. Amidst your hectic schedule and working hard to make your both ends meet, you may often forget to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. These pleasures, though may seem trivial or frivolous in nature, can bring immense satisfaction to you. They are called the finer joys of life.

Ever wondered about the finer joys of your life?  Well, here is a small list:

  • Looking at the joy on your child’s face when you take them for their dance class
  • Dropping your wife for Zumba classesen route to your office.
  • Pursuing that long-cherished hobby of learning to play the guitar.
  • Watching your favourite singer performing live in a concert.

This list can be endless. You have an earnest desire to live these finer joys, but then there is the other side of the coin which calls for being practical to make them come true. You need to make time to do these little things you want to do as well as manage your finances to spend about the same.

Managing your time is relatively easier. You could start waking 15 minutes earlier every morning. Or you could limit your screen or digital media hours. You can even set aside a dedicated hour of the day for ‘me time’ and ‘family time’.

But, what about the money part? This requires a conscious and systematic planning at your end. Here is what you could do to achieve the finer joys in your life without worrying much about the finances.

  1. Make a Budget

Write down income and expenses (better, if maintained in an excel sheet). Review once in a fortnight or a month. Analyze the reasons if you have exceeded the budget on some counts. Try and live within the budget.

  1. Save Smartly

You should aim to save at least 15 – 30% of your income to meet the key milestones of your life – child’s education & marriage, own home, retirement, etc. Keep a long term perspective and allocate your savings to a diversified portfolio comprising fixed income securities, equity funds and insurance plans (life, health and non – life) for a better risk-return trade-off. Also, keep an emergency fund, equivalent to your 3 – 6 months, aside to meet unforeseen expenses. Similarly, you should allocate a part of your income towards the expenses that you will need to incur on the finer joys of life. This way, you and your family can enjoy the small pleasures of life without creating an additional burden on your budget.

  1. Invest in a Money-back Policy

The finer joys can occur at different stages of your life. To be able to enjoy them as and when the time comes, you need money at periodic intervals. Rather than juggling your finances impulsively in future for such things, it is better to plan for regular payouts ahead of time. A money-back planis quite suitable with this regards. It gives a guaranteed income flow at fixed stages during the policy term, so that you have the money when you need it the most. You could plan the payouts as and when you desire to fund the finer joys of your life. With a money-back plan in your investment kitty, you have an additional source of income in hand and you can glide through your recurring financial commitments smoothly.

If you plan your time and finances well, you need not forget, sacrifice or postpone those finer dreams in your life. Start planning today, your little joys are waiting to unfold!

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