How to Create a Budget for the Month of June

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll budget your money. Here are a few tips on how to create a budget for the month of June that will help you have a fun and stress-free summer.

Why is June Important for Budgeting?

June is an important month for budgeting for families for a few reasons. First, kids are out of school which means parents may have to spend more on child care. Additionally, June is considered the wedding season so families may have to travel and attend multiple weddings. Finally, June falls in the middle of the year which makes it a great time to start saving for the rest of the year. However, families also tend to overspend or take out loans to cover weddings, vacations, etc. Thus causing debt. Here are a few steps to set a budget for June:

Step 1: Decide on Your Financial Goals for June

For many families, the month of June brings with it a sense of financial planning. With the summer months ahead, and many potential expenses on the horizon, it’s important to set some goals and priorities. One question to ask is whether you’re trying to save for a specific event or purpose. For example, are you hoping to buy a house, take a family vacation, or pay down debt? Or are you more focused on long-term planning, such as saving for retirement or a child’s college fund? Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you can begin to develop a plan to achieve them. This may involve setting a budget, sticking to a savings plan, and/or making some sacrifices in other areas of spending. But by taking the time to map out your financial goals for the month of June, you’ll be in a much better position to achieve them.

Step 2: Review Your Previous Months’ Bank Statements

You can’t know where you are going unless you know where you have been.” Maya Angelou. This famous quote is just as applicable to your finances as it is to anything else in life. Before you make any major changes to your budget, it’s important to review your previous months’ bank statements. First, add up all of your spending for the month. Then, add up all of the cash that you have at the beginning of the month, including your savings contributions. Next, look at your bank statement and find where you are spending the most money. This could be something like eating out too often, shopping online, or buying too many lattes. Once you know where your money is going, you can start to make changes to curb your spending and save more money each month.

Step 3: Determine your fixed and variable expenses

Now that you’ve added up all of your income and tracked your spending for a month, it’s time to take a closer look at your expenses. Start by dividing your expenses into two categories: fixed and variable.

Fixed expenses are those that stay the same every month, like rent or mortgage payments, car payments, and insurance premiums. Variable expenses, on the other hand, can fluctuate from month to month, like groceries, utilities, and gas.

Once you’ve categorized your expenses, it’s time to start trimming the fat. Take a close look at your spending in each category and ask yourself if there are any areas where you can cut back. Maybe you can eat out less often or shop at cheaper grocery stores. Maybe you can switch to a cheaper cell phone plan or get rid of your cable TV subscription. Whatever the case may be, making small changes in your spending can make a big difference in your overall financial picture.

Step 4: Add an Upcoming Event to Your Calendar

For many families, the month of June brings with it a sense of financial planning. With the summer months ahead, and many potential expenses on the horizon, it’s important to set some goals and priorities. Now that you know your events, be sure to add the event to your calendar as well as any related expenses to your budget. This will help you stay organized and on track as you finalize your preparations. Review your budget periodically to ensure that you are still on track financially. Make adjustments as needed to ensure that you are able to cover all of your expenses. Save any extra money so that you can use it for future events or unexpected costs. By following these simple steps, you can stay organized and prepared for your upcoming event.

Step 5: Determining How Much Money You Will Need to Save During June

Determining how much money you’ll need to save during June may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple.

First, take a look at your financial goals and obligations. What do you need to save for? Are there any upcoming expenses that you need to account for? Once you have a clear picture of your financial situation, you’ll be able to better determine how much money you need to save each month.

For example, let’s say you’re saving for a new car. You know that you’ll need $10,000 for the down payment, and you want to have the car paid off in two years. Based on these numbers, you’ll need to save $416 per month. If you have any other expenses that need to be taken care of in June, be sure to factor those into your savings plan as well. By taking the time to map out your finances, you can ensure that you have the money you need when you need it.

Step 6: Plan for Discretionary Spending

Now that you’ve allocated your income to all of your necessary expenses, it’s time to start planning for discretionary spending in your June budget. Discretionary spending is the money you have left over after covering all of your mandatory expenses, and it can be used for anything you want or need. This could include entertainment, dining out, vacations, shopping, or anything else you enjoy. The key to successful discretionary spending is to plan ahead and avoid impulse buying. If you have a specific goal in mind, such as saving for a new car or taking a trip, make sure to set aside money each month to reach that goal. And if you find yourself with extra cash one month, consider stashing it away in savings so you have it when you really need it. With a little planning and discipline, you can make the most of your discretionary spending and enjoy a balanced budget.

Step 7:  How to Avoid Overspending

June is a month where many of us get paid, which can make it tempting to spend. However, if you want to stay on track with your budget, it’s important to resist the urge to splurge. Here are a few tips to help you avoid spending in your June budget:

1. Know your limits. Before you even get paid, decide how much you can afford to spend. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid overspending.

2. Make a list of priorities. Once you know how much you can afford to spend, make a list of priorities. This will help you focus on what’s important and resist temptation.

3. Find free or cheap activities. Just because you’re avoiding spending doesn’t mean you have to be bored. There are plenty of free or cheap activities you can enjoy, from hiking and picnicking to visiting museums and exploring your city.

4. Avoid peer pressure. It can be hard to stick to your budget when everyone around you is spending freely. If you’re feeling peer pressure, remind yourself of your goals and why you’re sticking to your budget in the first place.

5. Give yourself some wiggle room. Just as we budget for fixed expenses like rent and utilities, we should also set aside money each month for discretionary spending. This way, we can avoid overspending and stay within our means. 

By being mindful of your spending, you stay on track and avoid going into debt.

Take Action:

Well, there you have it! Everything you need to know in order to create a budget for the month of June. We hope this was helpful and we wish you all the best as you work on your budget. If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at DH Financial. Be sure to download our Budget success planner below for Just $10. It will help you track your spending and keep on top of your budget goals. We hope this template helps make budgeting for the month less stressful and more fun. Good luck and happy spending!

Get the Budget Success Planner Today!
https://family-business.samcart.com/products/money-management-tool-ultimate-budget-planner/

Resources:

• https://partnersinfire.com/passion-fire-2/travel/cheap-weekend-getaways/
• https://www.marketing91.com/how-to-avoid-peer-pressure/
• https://www.quicken.com/blog/monthly-expenses
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/incurred-expenses
• https://budget.house.gov/publications/report/discretionary-spending-and-congressional-budget-process-explainer
• https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7273813-do-the-best-you-can-until-you-know-better-then

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