Discovering YOU Magazine January 2019 Issue | Page 22

BUSINESS CENT$

loans - and determine how much each of these expenses cost you per month. Next, average your spending in key categories that occur on an ongoing basis, such as food, gas, clothing, commuting costs and your gym membership. Combine those two figures to determine what your actual expenses and monthly budget are, and any money left over can be considered discretionary. Part of each month's discretionary budget should be dedicated in advance to savings. Financial fitness introduces a level of discipline to help people make a proactive commitment to saving each month.

3. Shred unwanted subscriptions: With a budget in place, it's all about tracking expenses and ensuring that your spending aligns with what your budget requires. There are many free tools that can help do

"....average your spending in key categories that occur on an ongoing basis, such as food, gas, clothing, commuting costs and your gym membership."