Financial Symmetry News & Views

Posts Tagged ‘budgeting’

When we start working with a new client, one of the first steps is typically consolidating the number of accounts they have outstanding.  In our experience this makes your finances easier to manage by reducing the mental accounting that needs to take place every time a financial decision is made.  While this has always made sense to us from a simplification standpoint, it also seems to result in lower overall spending.  Recent research from the University of Utah found that “consumers who use multiple accounts spend more money than those with a single account.”

Don’t Bucket Your Savings

While this process ultimately simplifies financial management for our clients, the transition from multiple accounts to just a few is not always an easy one.  Most of us want to use a “bucketing” strategy to save for different life goals.  However, in the event of a true emergency or change of plans, money may need to come from a fund with another intended purpose.  This is why we feel consolidating the number of accounts outstanding offers the greatest flexibility in terms of cash flow and investment, not to mention it may also help with your budgeting goals.

Photo Credit: A National Acrobat

With the end of the first quarter of 2010 behind us, now is a great time to review your budget.

When checking up on your budget, it is important to look over a specific amount of time for comparisons to actual expenses. Comparing expenses on a monthly basis can be a source of frustration as there are many fluctuations that occur throughout the year (holidays, vacation, etc.).

Therefore, it is important to measure your progress against a rolling year period.  For example, if you have been using a budgeting tool for one year or longer, you would want to compare from February 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010.  If you are just getting started, looking at smaller increments of time, like three or six months, can also be helpful.

No matter what your time frame is, here are a few tips to help streamline and update your budget:

• Budgeting software often has trouble correctly categorizing a few expenses.  Take a quick look at your transactions and identify and correct those that are mislabeled. If you are using Mint.com, be sure to take advantage of their easy to read ‘trend’ section.  You can see where you’ve spent money over specific categories in charts that allow you to drill down to the transaction level, helping to spot inaccurate transactions. If you don’t use budgeting software, compiling data from your receipts and statements will be a good way to get you started.  Remember, you are trying to identify how to spend less than you earn.
• Revisit the items you have budgeted.  Now that you have been tracking for a few months or longer, are your budgeted items realistic? Maybe some adjustments need to be made to common expenses like household utilities, food and dining, transportation costs (including gas and regular maintenance), and discretionary (misc. spending).
• It is common for your expenses to fluctuate over time and for some expenses to occur only during parts of the year.  Some items, like car insurance, homeowner association dues, and professional fees may be paid quarterly or semi-annually, so be sure to include those expenses in your budget now.
• If you are spending more than your budgeted amount on a regular basis, take some time to plan out ways to reduce your spending.  Little things like taking your lunch to work once or twice a week, making coffee at home, or planning errands around one trip can all add up over time.
• Have you had any lifestyle changes that should be reflected in your budget?  A home purchase, renovation or new child can increase (or decrease) spending and should be accounted for.  Adding new expenses to your budget while taking time to review your overall spending picture can help set you back on track.

Not ready to make the jump to an online budgeting tool? Quicken software may be what you are looking for.   The following is a brief overview of Quicken software.  Check back next week for tips on establishing categories in Quicken.

As many of you know, it can be hard to create a budget and even harder to stick to it.  The key to sticking to your planning is continuous monitoring.  To do so, we generally recommend using software like Quicken that is designed specifically for expense tracking.

Looking for a way to better track your budget? Throughout the upcoming weeks, we will be bringing you personal reviews of some of the budgeting software available. Some will be free, online websites, while others will be computer software programs available for purchase or download.

Our first review comes from Heather Zaczek, our Operations Specialist, who has been using Mint.com for a little over a year.

What is Mint.com?

Mint.com is a free, online account aggregation tool that can help you plan, manage and stick to your budget. Setup is quick and easy—you can expect to have your accounts linked to Mint within a couple of minutes. Security is good, being at or above most institutional banking websites. Mint never asks for your account numbers, name or other personal identification information. Money cannot be accessed, moved or transferred within Mint, and all data stored at Mint is backed by bank-level data security protections.

How Do I Set Up an Account with Mint.com?

Setting up an account with Mint is simple. To get started, you will create a user ID, which is normally your email address, and create a password. Once logged in, adding accounts is simply. Your asset and debt accounts are aggregated by providing your institution’s user ID and password for the particular site and Mint does the rest. Mint has a search feature to find the correct login website for a particular institution, although some smaller, hometown banks and credit unions may not be available for connection yet. Once you have your accounts linked with Mint, simple, easy to read charts and graphs are available to create a budget and track spending. Budgets are set up monthly, and you are able to quickly view past months to estimate for the current month’s expenses. Your monthly budget appears on the homepage to show where your money has been spent so far, and how close (or away) you are from estimates through a color-coded bar graph.

What are Some Features of Mint.com?

Overall, the website is fairly easy to navigate, with tabs for transactions, spending trends, investments and ways to save on the homepage. For a better sense of security, Mint has established an alert system that you can customize for each linked account. These alert settings can increase your financial protection and awareness of suspicious activity within your accounts, a great feature that takes minutes to set up. Alerts can be created to notify you if large purchases are made, credit limits have been reached, or low balances exist within accounts.

Mint also tracks your interest rates, credit card reward programs and your credit payment habits to look for ways to save money. If your ABC card is costing you more money than say XYZ card, Mint will suggest switching your cards while estimating your savings on an annual basis. The great thing about Mint’s suggestions is that they are running in the background rather than popping up on your homepage. Saving strategies are located on a separate page and can include customized views for checking, savings and investment accounts.

Are There Drawbacks to Mint.com?

Since Mint.com is free, you can expect a few areas to be less than perfect. There is not a feature to download transactions from institutional websites directly to Mint, and transactions cannot be manually added. Cash transactions can be split into different categories if you have a linked ATM transaction, which enables you to track each cent spent from the cash withdrawal. Another drawback is associated with linking transactions between accounts. For instance, Mint has a little trouble sometimes tagging transfers between checking and credit card accounts, making it difficult to match payment transactions in relation to specific dates. Mint’s reports are simple and informative, without elaborate graphics. Time lines can also become an issue when comparing data over long periods of time; Mint’s standard time frames range only from the time you linked your accounts forward, so older transactions may not be reflected. This may work out as a benefit of Mint if you are just starting with a budget and are not too concerned with past expenses.

Are There Any Additional Features of Mint.com that Make Budgeting More Interesting?

There are a few neat features of Mint that can make budgeting a little more interesting. Mint compiles data from users’ spending patterns so that you can compare your spending habits to those in your location—either state or large city. Mint also has a regularly updated blog with easy to understand financial concepts in every day language. A few recent posts include “The Pros and Cons of Online Banks” and “15 Ways to Eat Out More Spend Less.” Most blog posts include “Mint’s TakeAway” to provide suggestions on how ideas presented effect spending. Overall, Mint.com is a great, easy to use, free budgeting tool, that beats will outperform spreadsheets most of the time.

If you have any questions about Mint.com, feel free to contact Heather at hzaczek@financialsymmetry.com or 919-851-8200 ext. 205.

A key aspect of financial planning is managing expenses.  However, setting a budget and consistently monitoring it is easier said than done.  That is why we recommend using an expense tracking software to keep track of your spending.  Mint.com is a relatively new personal finance website that takes a lot of the work out of expense tracking.  Click the link below to watch an instructional video about how to use mint.com and learn the benefits and security features.

Need a new appliance? You may be able to find the best deals on large appliances during September and October.

Sometimes certain purchases can put a strain on your budget, like a new refrigerator, furniture or computer. While there is not a ‘best time to buy’ guide for everything, there are certain categories of goods and services that regularly go on sale during specific times of the year.

We found a list on Yahoo! that breaks down items like used cars, holiday airfare and mattresses. Keep ‘best time to buy’ sales in mind when planning ahead for a special purchase, whether it is a new purchase or a replacement, and look forward to save as much as 75% off original prices.

Click here to view When Is the Best Time to Buy…? on Yahoo!.

Article published on FiLife.com by Financial Symmetry’s Allison Berger, CFP ®.

Finding the motivation to save can be just as difficult as motivating yourself to diet and exercise. In both cases you know the outcome will be worthwhile — financial security and better health. However, taking the steps to get there is easier said than done.

If you have ever watched the show “The Biggest Loser,” you have probably heard the trainers say that being fit is not about dieting, but about making lifestyle changes that you can stick with over time. As the contestants participate in the challenge, their health gradually improves and their motivation to continue a healthy lifestyle typically increases. The hardest part is usually getting started.

The same is true with saving. While difficult at first, adopting a scheduled savings strategy and making budgeting part of your routine will increase your odds of achieving your financial goals. Identifying those goals is the first step to finding that motivation, so spend some time thinking about what you want your money to do for you. Maybe you are saving for a family vacation, your children’s education, retirement, or all of the above. Make a list prioritizing each goal and put time frames on them.

Next, work on identifying those triggers that keep you from saving money. Just as having chips and cookies in the house can derail your healthy lifestyle, so can mail order catalogs on your coffee table or even a clear view of your neighbor’s new BMW. Toss those catalogues in the recycle bin, put a limit on your Amazon or eBay habit, and start planning a savings strategy.

One of the best ways to stick to your financially fit goals is to make savings automatic. Hopefully you are already deferring money from every paycheck to your 401k. Think about increasing your deferral to put more toward your retirement goal. Then find other savings you can make automatic. Maybe you can set up a monthly transfer into your savings account, Roth IRA, or your child’s 529 plan. This strategy takes some of the work out of saving and automatically curbs spending, as your checking account appears less flush each month.

Lastly, remember that you are not alone. You probably have friends and neighbors who are also trying to stick to a financially fit lifestyle. Work together on finding low cost activities to do, and exchange tips and tricks along the way. You may also want to consider using a professional. A financial planner can help you develop a strategy specific to your needs in the same way a personal trainer can recommend the best exercises for your health and fitness goals. You can seek out a fee-only financial planner at napfa.org.

Article published on FiLife.com by Financial Symmetry’s Chad Smith, CFP.

If you haven’t noticed, budgeting is hip these days. This is thanks to the economic uncertainty caused by the stock market’s second worst bear market in the last 100 years. People’s fear of losing their jobs and significant losses in their investment accounts has shifted the importance of financial planning and knowing how to budget back into the spotlight. But there are still people resistant to both of these ideas.

Here are some common excuses, and why they can hurt your savings:

• Not Good With Numbers. It doesn’t take a mathematician to implement a budget. You just need an understanding of how much money is coming in and which directions it is flowing out. You could use an online tool or scribble down your monthly income minus your fixed bills every month to get an idea of what’s left for discretionary spending. When creating a budget worksheet, it’s important to consider 12 months of expenses in your budget, as there is often a lot of variance month to month. Using a year of spending targets also provides the framework to make corrections when you have a few months go over your budgeted amounts.
• Don’t Have Time To Budget. If you have 15 minutes every two weeks you can manage a budget. Most banks now allow you to download your spending data into budgeting software in a matter of minutes. If you can limit your spending to two accounts (checking and credit card) you will also cut down on time. Spend a few more minutes on categorization and you’ll be able to tell if you need to tighten up for the second half of the month or if you are on track with your targeted spending patterns. Conducting regular monthly reviews will go a long way in helping you to have a successful household budget.
• Buy Now. Save Later. Sound familiar? Spending now instead of later is a major roadblock to implementing a budget. This behavior will eat completely through any shell of a budget discipline you attempt to create. The danger with the “buy it now” mentality hangs on the standard of living concept. Most of us become comfortable with a certain level of spending and it’s a lot harder to lower that standard once established than it is to increase it. Don’t let bad spending habits dictate your budget decision-making.
• We Only Live Once. While this is a true statement, it amounts to a hill of beans when you actually need to access savings. As the latest economic crisis has clearly proven, a job loss can wreak financial havoc when you don’t have an emergency fund. Spending like there is no tomorrow will leave you ill-prepared if you find yourself unemployed. This is why it is imperative when setting up your spending categories to carefully consider how much will go towards your savings accounts. Setting up a monthly draft from your primary checking account is a good way to build your emergency fund while also providing a natural discipline for your spending.
• Spending Is More Fun! There is no doubt the instant gratification you get from purchasing an expensive meal out, a new big screen TV or a trip to Europe is very satisfying. But making those purchases within the parameters of a budget doesn’t drain all the fun. Budgeting tools simply help you to take control of your overspending habits. The power of budgeting comes from knowing where you stand and recognizing the next steps you should take to achieve your targets. When setting your targets, make sure you carve out the extraordinary and the semi-regular expenses that could ruin your motivation as well. Remember, delayed gratification is a budget’s best friend!

Allison Berger, CFP®, was recently quoted in Investment News. The article discusses financial advisors’ views on young investors that are dealing with the current market.

Here is an except from the article written by Lisa Shidler:

In recent months, a greater number of younger investors have come in seeking help, especially as their assets have fallen, said Allison Berger, a certified financial planner with Financial Symmetry Inc. in Raleigh, N.C., whose firm manages $78 million in assets. “It’s been one of my goals to work with young professionals and help them get started on the right foot,” she said.

Sometimes, people in this age group are grappling with a wide range of issues, Ms. Berger said.

“We’re trying to help them pay off student loans, save for an emergency fund, buy the first home and save for retirement,” she said.

Click here to view the original article: Investment News

Budgeting works best when it becomes a regular routine. It can be hard at first, but knowing where your money goes is a critical part of understanding your complete financial picture.  Along the way, you may discover ways to cut costs, save extra money in retirement accounts, or plan for a big purchase. Here are a few tips to think about when creating and managing your budget.

• Think about your purchases and how they relate to the budget you have set up.
• Establish broad categories and assign an estimate of your expected expenses.
• The more micro-managed your budget becomes, the harder it is to execute.
• Use broad categories like food, transportation, clothing, housing, and discretionary.

It is most important to stay consistent in the way you categorize things as this will enable you to make meaningful comparisons when looking at how you did this April compared to last April.  Each month will vary in amounts, so it is best to have an estimated amount, or target, in each category to begin your budget.  Keep in mind that you may need to make a few adjustments from month to month until you can get a better estimate. Once you have a functioning budget, take some time mid-month to sit down and review how your doing against the targets you set.

Reviewing your budget gives you a measurable period for the last half of the month so that you can decide where to cut back, which will help you stay within your budget.  It is also important to remember that most people cannot become a successful budgeter over night.  Spending patterns are a behavior and will take time to adjust.  Holding yourself accountable is a must when budgeting.  The purpose is to provide discipline with regards to spending, so it is best not to expect a walk in the park.

With all of your accounts, transactions and targets, it may be helpful to consider using some type of computer software to assist in tracking your budget. In the coming weeks, we will be discussing different online and computer software programs that can help you create and manage a budget while tracking your expenses.