The Importance of Creating and Following a Budget

Beni Kudurt Jan 23, 2021 0 Comments

A budget is a financial plan that specifies your spending priorities. It is a list of your revenue sources, such as your salary or any investments, as well as your costs and expenses. This  includes your rent, bills, and other regular payments. 

The general rule of thumb is that your costs should not exceed your income, as this will allow you to save money, pay off debt, and prepare for future expenses. While there are many ways to make a budget, generally it includes outlining your revenue and expenses, which are then subtracted from your income to reveal your budget’s surplus or deficit. A budget can be made for a number of time periods, including weekly, monthly, and yearly.

Although it is not required for everyone, most people find budgeting as a wise financial move. In order to make financially wise decisions, it can benefit you to have a better understanding of your income and expenses. Making changes to your spending patterns and identifying areas where you may be overspending are both made easier with the use of a budget. It can also assist you in making plans for upcoming costs, such as retirement or a down payment for any huge purchases.

Making a budget could also be a smart idea if you are struggling to make ends meet, pay off debt, or save for the future. This is because it can show you where you can cut costs and ensure that your money is being spent in a manner that is consistent with your priorities.

Creating and sticking to a budget is important for a number of reasons. 

• You can monitor where your money is going and spot areas where you could be overspending by keeping track of your income and expenses. This might help you prioritise your spending on the things that are most important to you and help you modify your spending habits. 
• Aids in planning for upcoming costs, such as retirement or a down payment for a home or car.
• It can assist you in avoiding amassing excessive amounts of debt. In general, setting up and adhering to a budget is essential for obtaining financial stability and realising your financial objectives.

Overall, budgeting is a useful tool that can assist you in achieving your financial objectives and maintaining a budget. Although it is not required, thinking about making a budget might help you manage your money more effectively and most importantly, stick to it!

College Savings: How to Plan Towards Your Child’s Education

Beni Kudurt Jan 8, 2021 0 Comments

The education of a child encompasses all learning and development that takes place during their formative years, including both formal education received in schools and universities as well as informal education received through extracurricular activities, personal experiences, and self-directed learning. In this article, we’ll be focusing on, why it’s important to start saving for your child’s college education, and how to plan towards that goal.

The term “college education” describes the post-secondary education options available to students after they graduate from high school. Typically, this includes courses offered by colleges, universities, and technical or trade institutions. A college education can help students with a variety of benefits such as better career opportunities, personal growth and networking among peers.

Why is it Important To Start Saving for Your Child’s College Education?

Tuition, fees, housing and board, books, and other expenditures can quickly pile up while paying for a college education. The price of a college education varies according to the institution’s kind (public or private), location, and course of study.

It is also important to consider other factors such as, inflation, which may cause the cost of a college education to increase over time. This suggests that the cost of an education will definitely rise much further for kids who plan to enrol in college in the future.

For these purposes, it is important for parents to understand and start planning towards a child’s college education as early as possible. 

How To Plan Your Child’s College Savings?

Saving for your child’s college education is a personal decision that depends on your financial status and ambitions. Among the few things to consider includes:

• Affordability
• Financial aids
• Your child’s plans
• Other commitment expenses
• Your financial goals.

Once you have considered all the factors, you can start saving for your child’s college savings. There are several options to consider when saving towards this goal.

• 529 College Savings Plan: A tax-advantaged savings plan that permits the use of funds saved for certain higher education costs, including tuition, room and board, books, and other fees.
• Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA): ​​Another tax-advantaged savings option which enables money saved to be used for eligible educational expenses, such as those related to primary and secondary education as well as higher education.
• UGMA/UTMA: A custody-based accounts that permit parents or legal guardians to give presents to minors that can be put toward their education or other costs.
• Savings Bonds: Series EE and Series I savings bonds may be tax-free when used for specific educational expenses, including college costs.
• Standard Savings Account: Although you can use a traditional savings account to save for your child’s college expenses, there are no tax advantages to doing so.

When selecting the best option for your child’s college fund, it’s crucial to take into account your own financial condition and aspirations, as well as the tax benefits, fees, and investment alternatives of each savings plan. Saving for your child’s education can be beneficial, but it is crucial to consider the costs and advantages and how it aligns with your overall financial goals. To make an informed choice, you should also think about speaking with a financial counsellor.