{"id":66707,"date":"2017-08-30T12:30:30","date_gmt":"2017-08-30T16:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/?p=66707"},"modified":"2019-04-01T22:25:44","modified_gmt":"2019-04-02T02:25:44","slug":"budget-calculator-tool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/budget-calculator-tool\/","title":{"rendered":"Calculate Your Budget Payments | Budget Calculator Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><span style=\"font-size: 22px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>Budget Calculator Today | Are You Spending Too Much?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" size=\"3\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Creating and maintaining a budget is crucial for financial stability, peace of mind, and planning for the future.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Despite the importance of monthly budgeting, only <a href=\"http:\/\/www.deseretnews.com\/article\/865581100\/New-Gallup-poll-shows-two-thirds-of-Americans-do-not-budget.html\">one third of Americans<\/a> actively follow a monthly budget.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Part of this may stem from the fact that budgeting can be a daunting, time-consuming task if you don\u2019t have access to the right tools.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Along with budgeting apps and software programs, consumers can also use budget calculators to improve their financial awareness and create a plan for future spending and saving, detailed below.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\"\r\n     data-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-0040645543016257\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"6761946915\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" size=\"3\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 22px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>7 Best Budgeting Tips<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Using a budget calculator is only one part of managing a successful budget\u2014you\u2019ll also need to adopt proactive habits to set yourself up for success while learning how to create and maintain a monthly budget.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Below, we have outlined a list of top budgeting tips to help keep you focused and on track to accomplish your budgeting goals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>1. Evaluate Your Income<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">This could be challenging for those who are self-employed, or who do not receive a uniform paycheck each month, but knowing exactly how much money is coming in is the first step to creating a manageable budget.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Make sure to include all aspects of your income, including bonuses, child support, or alimony.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">This will allow you to set attainable goals and help you see a holistic view of what you can afford\u2014and what you can\u2019t.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>2. Pay Bills First<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">To create a successful budget, you also need a clear understanding of how much you are paying in bills each month. Make a clear outline of each bill and pay them as far in advance as you can.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">This is also a good opportunity to find ways to decrease your monthly bills. For example, if you notice that your electric bill is high, you can start adopting habits to decrease payments, like turning lights off and unplugging appliances when not in use.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>3. Start Keeping Receipts<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">We\u2019re all guilty of throwing out receipts without a second thought, but saving receipts is a great way to see exactly where your money is going. Make a habit of keeping your receipts and reviewing them each week.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">You may be surprised at how much you are spending on extraneous purchases like going out to eat or a night on the town.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>4. Plan Your Meals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">On that note, avoiding eating out at restaurants as much as possible is a good way to improve your budgeting skills.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Purchasing groceries may seem expensive in the short-term, but in the long-term choosing to cook at home instead of dining out can do wonders for cutting down on expenses.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<center><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/cost-of-raising-a-child\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/The-Cost-of-Raising-a-Child-in-the-US-min.png\"\/><\/a><\/center>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>5. Set Goals<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Whether you want to put aside extra money for a new house, a car, a tropical vacation, or to create a savings plan for retirement, setting clear goals will help keep you motivated while budgeting.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Your budgeting goals can be either immediate or long-term, but to create a comprehensive plan you should try to involve both.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Ultimately, goals will provide an outline of success. A successful budget will look different for every person\u2014but if you can specifically define what success means for you, it\u2019s much more likely that you can reach your goals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>6. Make Saving a Priority<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Many consumers seek out budget calculators and tools because they want to establish strong savings habits. Set aside a certain percentage or amount from each paycheck to dedicate to a savings account, and make that your first budgeting priority each month.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>7. Be Flexible<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Budgeting is tough and even the most dedicated budgeter is bound to slip up every now and then. Being flexible means adjusting to changes, and acknowledging that it\u2019s okay to make a few mistakes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">It\u2019s also good to keep in mind that you should also include activities or things that you love within your budget. Life shouldn\u2019t be completely about frugality, so don\u2019t forget to treat yourself occasionally.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/current-louisiana-mortgage-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current Louisiana Mortgage Rates | Best Louisiana Mortgages for Good-Excellent Credit Borrowers<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/current-mortgage-rates-in-colorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current Mortgage Rates in Colorado for Good \u2013 Excellent Credit Borrowers<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/current-mortgage-rates-for-wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current Mortgage Rates for WI | Top Wisconsin Mortgage Rates for Good-Best Credit<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/current-maryland-mortgage-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current Maryland Mortgage Rates | MD Mortgage Rates &amp; Refinance Rates for Good-Best Credit<\/a><a id=\"Budget-Calculators-Tools\"><\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><div id=\"advisoryhq-tables-incontent2\"><\/div><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" size=\"3\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 22px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><strong>Budgeting Tools, Calculators, &amp; Software<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Palatino; font-size: 18px;\">Budget calculators are a great way to evaluate your spending habits. There are plenty of budget calculators available for free online, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Palatino; font-size: 18px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/blog\/finance\/nerdwallet-budget-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NerdWallet<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Palatino; font-size: 18px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/smartasset.com\/mortgage\/budget-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SmartAsset<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Palatino; font-size: 18px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quicken.com\/budget-calculator\">Quicken<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Along with a budget calculator, there are plenty of apps and software that can help you define\u2014and achieve\u2014your financial goals. Check out the following top-rated budgeting tools and software below:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/free-personal-finance-software\/\">Personal Capital<\/a>\u2014<strong>Top ranked FREE\u00a0personal finance software<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Mint\u2014Free budgeting and bill pay app<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">You Need A Budget\u2014$50 annually for powerful budgeting tools<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Thankfully, with the help of budgeting calculators and apps, creating and maintaining a budget does not have to be complicated, time-consuming, or stressful.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/best-mortgage-rates-in-georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current Mortgage Rates | GA Mortgage Rates for Good &amp; Best Credit<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/best-mortgage-rates-in-massachusetts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current MA Mortgage Rates | Best Massachusetts Mortgage Rates Today<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/best-mortgage-rates-in-indiana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Current Mortgage Rates in Indiana | Best Indiana Home Loan Rates for Good Credit<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/articles\/best-mortgage-rates-in-new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Best Mortgage Rates in New Jersey | New Homes &amp; Refi Rates<\/a><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<hr align=\"center\" size=\"3\" width=\"100%\" \/>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"myFinance-widget\" data-type=\"horizontal\" data-campaign=\"advisoryhq-cru-eoc\"><\/div>\r\n<hr \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 22px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ\u2019s <a href=\"\/terms-of-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Terms<\/a>\u00a0for details. Also review each firm\u2019s site for the most updated data, rates and info.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: georgia,serif;\">Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's <a href=\"\/ahq-disclosures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">advertiser disclosures<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Budget Calculator Today | Are You Spending Too Much? Creating and maintaining a budget is crucial for financial stability, peace of mind, and planning for the future. Despite the importance of monthly budgeting, only one third of Americans actively follow a monthly budget. Part of this may stem from the fact that budgeting can be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":66559,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[204],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66707"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66707"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77535,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66707\/revisions\/77535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.advisoryhq.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}