Popular Budgeting Strategies (2024)

You might be wondering how much you should spend within each of your budget categories. Unfortunately, there is norightamount to spend in any category for every individual. It's up to you to decide what works for you. There are a variety of philosophies about the best way to budget.

Below are only a few possible strategies. These are some popular ones, but that does not mean they will work best for you. We encourage you to try them out if you like them, but remember that budgeting is an individualized process, so you should be prepared to identify when a change needs to be made.

The 50/20/30 Budget

In the 50/20/30 budget, 50% of your net income should go to your needs, 20% should go to savings, and 30% should go to your wants.

If you've read the Essentials of Budgeting, you're already familiar with the idea of wants and needs. This budget recommends a specific balance for your spending on wants and needs. It alsoemphasizes the importance of setting money aside for later.

Pay Yourself First

In the “Pay Yourself First” method, the first “bill” you pay every month is to your savings account. Transfer a pre-determined amount into savings at the beginning of the month. After you pay yourself, you should pay your bills, then use the rest however you please.

This method could easily be used in combination with some others listed on this page. However, this method can also be used to keep track of a very simple budget, where you pay forthe things you have to, and don't worry about the rest.

Zero-Based Budget

In a zero-based budget, every single dollar of your income is assigned to a specific expense, leaving you with a balance of $0. This method requires you to anticipate all of your upcoming expenses so that you can allot your income to the appropriate expenses.

Be sure to include saving into your plan as well; if you don't plan to "spend" all of your income, you can assign what's left to a "savings expense." This method ensures that you have a plan for each dollarand won't make impulse purchases.

Envelope Budget

In the envelope budget, you put specific amounts of your money into envelopes (physically with cash, or electronically with an app or spreadsheet) representing different budget categories. Once you have exhausted the funds in an envelope, you can no longer spend within that budget category until the next month. If you have remaining funds at the end of the month, you have a few options:

  • Roll over the remaining funds into the same envelopethe next month

  • Transfer the remaining funds for a different envelope

  • Put the remaining funds into savings for a later date

Popular Budgeting Strategies (2024)

FAQs

Popular Budgeting Strategies? ›

Goal Setting: All budgeting methods should involve setting clear financial goals. This could be saving for a specific purchase, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund. Goals help individuals prioritize their spending and allocate their resources effectively.

What should all budgeting methods have in common in EverFi? ›

Goal Setting: All budgeting methods should involve setting clear financial goals. This could be saving for a specific purchase, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund. Goals help individuals prioritize their spending and allocate their resources effectively.

What is the 50 20 30 method? ›

One of the most common types of percentage-based budgets is the 50/30/20 rule. The idea is to divide your income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. Learn more about the 50/30/20 budget rule and if it's right for you.

What is the most effective way to budget? ›

We recommend the popular 50/30/20 budget to maximize your money. In it, you spend roughly 50% of your after-tax dollars on necessities, including debt minimum payments. No more than 30% goes to wants, and at least 20% goes to savings and additional debt payments beyond minimums.

Which budgeting method is best? ›

5 budgeting methods to consider
Budgeting methodBest for…
1. The zero-based budgetTracking consistent income and expenses
2. The pay-yourself-first budgetPrioritizing savings and debt repayment
3. The envelope system budgetMaking your spending more disciplined
4. The 50/30/20 budgetCategorizing “needs” over “wants”
1 more row
Sep 22, 2023

What are 4 methods of budgeting? ›

There are four common types of budgets that companies use: (1) incremental, (2) activity-based, (3) value proposition, and (4) zero-based. These four budgeting methods each have their own advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed in more detail in this guide. Source: CFI's Budgeting & Forecasting Course.

What are common budgeting strategies? ›

In the 50/20/30 budget, 50% of your net income should go to your needs, 20% should go to savings, and 30% should go to your wants. If you've read the Essentials of Budgeting, you're already familiar with the idea of wants and needs. This budget recommends a specific balance for your spending on wants and needs.

Why is the 50 20 30 or the 70 20 10 rule easy for people to follow especially those who are new to budgeting and saving? ›

The reason it is easy to follow is that it does not require complex calculations, spreadsheets or financial expertise. It provides a basic framework for budgeting and allows people to prioritize their spending and savings goals based on their income.

What is the 50 40 10 saving method? ›

What is 50 / 40 / 10 rule, how to use it and is the rule is good for you? The 50/40/10 rule budget is a simple way to budget that doesn't involve detailed budgeting categories. Instead, you spend 50% of your after-tax pay on needs, 40% on wants, and 10% on savings or paying off debt.

Does the 50 30 20 rule still apply? ›

If the 50/30/20 budget was once considered the golden standard of budgeting, it's not anymore. But there are budgeting methods out there that can help you reach your financial goals. Here are some expert-recommended alternatives to the 50/30/20.

What is the #1 rule of budgeting? ›

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

What is the key to successful budgeting? ›

Successful budgeting necessitates financial literacy. Individuals need to understand their income sources, expense categories, and how different financial decisions impact their overall financial health. This knowledge gives them the power to make well-informed decisions.

What is the best budget structure? ›

The 50/30/20 rule is an easy budgeting method that can help you to manage your money effectively, simply and sustainably. The basic rule of thumb is to divide your monthly after-tax income into three spending categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings or paying off debt.

What are the 5 basics to any budget? ›

What Are the 5 Basic Elements of a Budget?
  • Income. The first place that you should start when thinking about your budget is your income. ...
  • Fixed Expenses. ...
  • Debt. ...
  • Flexible and Unplanned Expenses. ...
  • Savings.

What is the most realistic budget? ›

The 50/30/20 rule is a simple way to budget that doesn't involve a lot of detail and may work for some. That rule suggests you should spend 50% of your after-tax pay on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings and paying off debt.

How do you pay yourself first? ›

The "pay yourself first" budget has you put a portion of your paycheck into your savings account before you spend any of it. The 80/20 rule breaks out putting 20% of your income toward savings (paying yourself) and 80% toward everything else.

Which of the following should you consider when setting a budget in EverFi? ›

financial goals, current expenses, and income.

What needs to be considered when setting an effective budget in EverFi Quizlet? ›

Financial goals, current expenses, and income.

What are the 3 most important parts of budgeting? ›

For any organization, a budget, whether done annually or conducted throughout the year in the form of rolling forecasts, is a critical component for success. Any successful budget must connect three major elements – people, data and process.

Which of the following is a benefit of using a budget everfi? ›

A budget can help you make plans to reach your financial goals. A budget can help you decide the importance of your expenses.

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