BUDGETING:
FINANCIAL EDUCATION GOAL
BUDGET COMPETENCY
Define and track income and expenses, using different
methods;
Develop a “normal” budget;
Learn techniques for approaching options for handling
an income shortfall or unexpected expense;
Analyze the cost/benefit of different options.
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GROUP DISCUSSION:
Why do we budget?
WHY BUDGET?
Map to reach goals;
Tool for making choices;
Assess what you have and what you need;
Control your own financial resources;
Focus on the future.
WHAT DO WE BUDGET?
We control our expenses, but
We budget our income.
Why is that important?
BUDGET TARGETS & PERSONAL GOALS
Identify major long-term goals;
Estimate the future cost of each goal;
Determine a realistic timeline to meet the goal;
How much must be saved each month to reach
the goal?
EVERY BUDGET LINE HAS A GOAL ATTACHED.
Is it necessary?
How much is needed?
When is it needed; how often?
What quality is needed?
What variables can be changed?
Can it be deferred?
Include all variables in your budget calculation.
MAKE THE GOAL SMART.
SMART Goals
One way to make goals simple and clear is to make them SMART. SMART stands for:
Specific—focused
Measurable—you can tell if it’s been achieved
Achievable—realistic
Results-oriented—written about the end you are trying to get to
Timebound—there is a specific time by which the goal will be reached
While goals are SMART, they do NOT show how the goal will be reached. The “how” is the
plan. Goals provide the destination and the direction for your plans. So, you can’t make
a plan without a goal. This applies to how you get and use your money, too.
A budget is just a plan for how you use your money. You can’t make a budget without
having goals.
MAKING YOUR GOALS WORK FOR YOU
Here are the steps to figuring out the resources, time and costs to reach your goals:
Step 1: Write goals. You’ve already done this!
Step 2: List all of the resources you need to reach this goal.
Step 3: If money is needed, estimate the amount you will need to reach the goal. If
you don’t know the amount, do some research.
Step 4: Figure out how many months you have to save. Count the months from now
until the end time written in your goal statement.
Step 5: Divide the money needed to reach goal by the months to save. This gives the
amount you need to save each month. This is what you will include in your
budget!
DO THE MATH!
Computer spreadsheet,
Index cards
Notebook
Monthly conversions
 52 weeks/12
 26 bi-weekly pay periods/12
 Quarterly/3
 Annual/12
GROUP EXERCISE
How Much to Save Each Month
PRIORITIZE YOUR GOALS
Don’t be limited by the present.
Which goals that you achieve will help other goals?
Pay yourself first! (budget your savings)
Examine (record) your use of income:
 Share it;
 Save it;
 Spend it.
WHAT ARE YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES?
Paycheck :
 Fringe benefit options
 Taxes withheld (loan to Uncle Sam?)
Credit (to increase assets or cut expenses)
Employer savings match
Tax credits (EITC)
Asset income (rental, business use)
Government and grant assistance (loans, IDA)
SOURCE OF INCOME RECORDS
Following is a list of different sources of income and the records you may have.
Wages (full or part time job): Stub from Check; Deposit slip; Bank Account Statement
Self-Employment Income: Invoices; Receipts for Payment; Deposit Slips; Bank Account
Statement
Bonuses: Stub from Check; Letter from Employer Stating Bonus Amount
Commissions: Stub from Check; Copies of Commission Checks; Deposit Slips; Bank Account
Statement
Unemployment: Notice of Benefits from State Agency; Check Stub or Photocopy of Check
from State Department of Labor or Economic Security
Severance Payments: Letter from Employer Stating Terms; Deposit Slips; Bank Account
Statement
Child Support: Statement from State Disbursement Unit; Court Order (states amount of child
support and schedule of payments); Deposit Records; Bank Account Statement
MORE SOURCES
Earned Income Tax Credit: Tax Return; Deposit Records; Bank Account Statement (if
using Direct Deposit); Stub from Check if Paper
Gift: Deposit Records; Bank Account Statement
Public Assistance (TANF benefits): Notice of Cash Assistance from Local Department
of Social Services; Stub from Check; Deposit Records; Bank Account Statement (if
using Direct Deposit)
Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Notice of
Benefits from Social Security Administration; Stub from Check; Deposit Records; Bank
Account Statement (if using Direct Deposit)
Social Security Retirement: Notice of Benefits from Social Security Administration;
Stub from Check; Bank Account Statement (if using Direct Deposit)
Pension: Stub from Check; Bank Account Statement (if using Direct Deposit)
Social Security Survivors: Notice of Benefits; Stub from Check; Bank Account
Statement (if using Direct Deposit)
WHAT ARE OTHER RESOURCES?
Vegetable garden
Education
Barter and trade
Coupons
Cooking and canning
Stocking up on sales
Making things last
GROUP DISCUSSION
How can expenses be grouped?
(general types of goals)
SIX USES OF INCOME
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Fixed Expenses
Credit Card Debt Payments
Occasional Expenses
Savings and Sharing Goals
Flexible Necessities
Discretionary Wants
ENVELOPE BUDGETING
Developed for cash and carry economy.
Divide paycheck into several envelopes for different
expenses, and take from each envelope as pay that
expense.
Similar concept to mortgage escrow for paying taxes and
insurance.
Separate accounts may serve this function.
How do you employ method in electronic economy?
BUDGETING TOOLS & RESOURCES
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Bank or Credit Union Online
Independent Online System
Quicken or other financial software
Electronic spreadsheet (Excel)
Paper Calendar or record
ONLINE TOOLS
• https://www.pncvirtualwallet.com/ Virtual Wallet by PNC
• Allows 3 PNC accounts (spend, reserve, growth)
• $25 minimum deposit
• 3 check limit (promotes online transactions)
• Budget calendar feature
• Online bill pay
• Money Bar to move between three accounts
• Finance Works by Quicken (BankAtlantic)
• Manage multiple accounts at different institutions
• Based on Quicken software functions
ONLINE TOOLS
• https://www.hellowallet.com/ Hello Wallet
• Independent financial planning
• Budget calendar
• Connect to outside accounts
• Record account transactions
• http://www.mvelopes.com/ Mvelopes
• Add outside accounts (4)
• 25 electronic envelopes
• Personal coaching sessions
ONLINE TOOLS
• https://secure.budgettracker.com Budget Tracker
• Download account information or manual entry
• Manage credit cards and loans
• Track income
• Pay bills
• Budget
• Manage categories
ONLINE TOOLS
• https://pearbudget.com/ Pear Budget
• Need not connect accounts
• Simple budgeting
• Monthly & irregular expenses
• Budget Plan
• https://www.mint.com/ Mint.Com
• Connects to accounts
• Categorizes expenses
• Auto budgets based on history
• Shows balance at any time
BUDGET BOOK SPREADSHEET (EXCEL)
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Cash Flow Analysis
Budget by Income Period
$0 Net Balance Goal
Be Flexible and Adjust Budget
Consider All Options
SPREADSHEET EXERCISE
Budget Scenario - Margaret
SOLUTIONS – INCREASE INCOME.
• Get another job.
• Get more education or training.
• Will it increase salary?
• What educational debt will it create?
• Start your own business.
• Qualify for public benefits:
• Food stamps
• Subsidized housing
• Free health care
SOLUTIONS – CUT SPENDING.
• Eliminate unnecessary expenses.
• Review insurance options.
• Do it your self.
• Cut back on flexible expenses.
• Make repairs that reduce expenses.
• Look at less expensive options (e.g., different car).
• Utility bill payment options.
• Borrow or barter.
• Plug small leaks.
SOLUTIONS – COMPARISON SHOP.
• Brand name – store brand – generic.
• Determine if quality justifies higher cost.
• Unit Price Calculation. (Use calculator)