Tejesh Kodali, New Jersey, on Creating a Working Budget

No matter where you are in your life or what financial stability you have, a budget is invaluable. You never know what life will throw at you, so it’s vital to be prepared. Being aware of how much money you’re spending each month and being able to work toward tangible financial goals helps you better manage your money now and also prepare yourself for the future. Follow these tips to create a budget that actually works and helps you keep your finances in order.

Track your expenses

The first step to take is to figure out just how much you spend. Take a few weeks or a month or two and track your expenses. Figure out what consistent payments you’re making and where you’re spending money on something you don’t necessarily need. Once you have an idea of your expenses, you can see where you can cut back or where you can spend a little bit more.

Be honest with yourself

Taking a frank look at how much money you spend each month can be stressful, especially if you know that you overspend on something you don’t need, such as clothing or going out to restaurants and bars. Think about how much money you’re bringing in each month and then make sure you aren’t spending more than that amount.

Automate as much as possible

If you have monthly payments, like rent, a car loan, or debt from college, automate those payments each month. You can also automate credit card payments and other recurring expenses. This way, you pay off those obligations first and avoid overspending and not having enough money to pay for what you really need.

Make some goals

If you want your budget to succeed, you need to make concrete goals. Determine how much money you can spend each month in a variety of categories. Account for every last dollar you’ll be receiving so you can avoid overspending. Try to take into account anything you might need to spend money on, such as a medical issue, purchasing gifts for a holiday, or something for your house.

Find out what works for you

There are different ways you can keep track of your budget, so find out which way works best for you. You may prefer using an app on your phone, tracking everything in a spreadsheet, or physically writing your budget and expenses down. You might also find that a combination of a variety of these options works best for you; whatever helps you stick to your budget, use that method!

Reevaluate

Every so often, take time to reevaluate your budget. You may have underestimated how much you spend in one area or you might pay off a loan and have extra money to spend. Every six months or so, sit down and see how you’ve been spending your money and if you need to make any changes.

About the Author

Tejesh Kodali is an entrepreneur with extensive experience in various industries. He's worked in Information Technology (IT), M&A, Finance, and Environmental industries for over 20 years. Tejesh has experience managing public and private companies and has a track record of success to attest to his skill. When it comes to growing businesses, Tejesh Kodali has displayed innate knowledge on the best way to help startups meet their goals and adequately grow. Tejesh is also passionate about alternative energy options and how these can be incorporated into smarter business practices and how we can promote sustainability to make the future a better place. He also greatly values the importance of mentorship and believes everyone can benefit from having a trusted, experienced advisor.