Premiere Plus Realty Co.
Jennifer Johansen, Premiere Plus Realty Co.Phone: (239) 450-0822
Email: [email protected]

Household Budget Tips: Where to Begin

by Jennifer Johansen 04/03/2022

The financial aspects of buying a home don't end with the purchase. Home ownership comes with its own ongoing fees and future expenses you'll need to prepare for. The best way to do so is to establish a balanced household budget. Here are some tips for how to get started:

Set Your Goals

Once you have a clear idea of what's important to you, managing your household budget won't seem as daunting. The best place to begin is by identifying and setting some financial goals. These can be short-term goals like purchasing a new appliance or long-term goals like a large renovation project. Make a list of the most important goals for your household so you have a clear idea of how to manage your finances accordingly.

Identify Income & Expenses

Once you've established your financial goals, it's time to consider the actual numbers. The key to budgeting is to know how much money you have coming in and where it's going. Tracking income is typically as simple as consulting pay stubs or deposit statements. You can also include other income like tax benefits and commissions.

Then, identify what you spend your money on. Try making a list with various categories to separate annual, monthly and everyday expenses. In addition to things like groceries, utility bills and transportation costs, make sure to include things like credit card payments, entertainment subscriptions and savings.

Once you have both numbers as a starting point, try tracking your spending for a few months. You can do this in a variety of ways including collecting receipts or using online budget apps. The more you know about your financial situation, the more control you'll have.

Prepare for the Future

In building a household budget, it's crucial to include seasonal expenses. Even if there are parts of the year where you spend more in any category, plan for these expenses in your regular budget. Examples of seasonal expenses include holiday gifts, summer childcare, travel and weather-related utilities.

While these are only a few basic tips for household budgeting, they should get you started. The more practice you have tracking and managing your expenses, the easier it will become.

About the Author
Author

Jennifer Johansen

Jennifer is passionate about the Real Estate business, and has been involved in related family businesses in construction, architectural millwork, and finance for 20 years. She and her husband relocated to Naples, from New York, 10 years ago, although her family has owned property on Marco Island since the 1980's. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Dual Master's Degree in Counseling and Education. She has acquired many necessary skills that are useful in Real Estate from being in the field of Counseling for many years. She holds the belief that building rapport is vital to helping her clients have a positive experience, while achieving their goals. She is very thorough and detail oriented, and has formed many close relationships with professionals in related fields, such as law, title insurance, home inspectors and other contractors. She aims to offer concierge- level service to her clients at every price point. When time permits, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Having grown up on the South Shore of Long Island, and enjoying her summers on Fire Island, she loves any activity related to salt water, boating and the beach. Additional hobbies include gardening, art, and studying nutrition, wellness and naturopathy. She is knowledgeable about Naples and Marco Island Real Estate, in estate areas, golf/gated communities, and waterfront properties. She is a member of The Naples Board of Realtors and Marco Island Area Association of Realtors.