We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Budgeting - Different Ways?
Options

Pepperoni
Posts: 461 Forumite

Hi,
At the moment I *try* to follow a budget whereby I've allocated XX monthly to everything that comes up.
Just wondered if anyone does it any other way and how it works for them?
I think I might try a budget for all bills etc, and then have a monthly lump sum to spend that's not necessarily allocated to anything until that month actually arrives? As current method just doesn't seem to be working that well for me.
Thanks.
At the moment I *try* to follow a budget whereby I've allocated XX monthly to everything that comes up.
Just wondered if anyone does it any other way and how it works for them?
I think I might try a budget for all bills etc, and then have a monthly lump sum to spend that's not necessarily allocated to anything until that month actually arrives? As current method just doesn't seem to be working that well for me.
Thanks.
- [STRIKE]Credit Card: £2,989 / £2,989[/STRIKE]
- Bank Loan: £12,000 / £14,000
0
Comments
-
far better to budget over a year and have all income allocated to something.
then do the cashflow analysis to make sure the bills can be paid when they actually happen.
if things are not working unless you find out why that won't change, start tracking EVERYTHING to find out where your overspends are, either allocate more money to them and cut back somewhere else or keep a closer eye on them so they don't go over.0 -
or looking at it another wayHi,
At the moment I *try* to follow a budget whereby I've allocated XX monthly to everything that comes up.
Just wondered if anyone does it any other way and how it works for them?
I think I might try a budget for all bills etc, and then have a monthly lump sum to spend that's not necessarily allocated to anything until that month actually arrives? As current method just doesn't seem to be working that well for me.
Thanks.
obviously not everything if it is not working, keep adding the missing thing in till you do have everything0 -
Hi,
At the moment I *try* to follow a budget whereby I've allocated XX monthly to everything that comes up.
Just wondered if anyone does it any other way and how it works for them?
I think I might try a budget for all bills etc, and then have a monthly lump sum to spend that's not necessarily allocated to anything until that month actually arrives? As current method just doesn't seem to be working that well for me.
Thanks.
Couple of options.
Allocate every penny a 'job'. This could be savings, Christmas, Car repairs, coffees & snacks but whatever it is, it needs a job.
Use multiple accounts if you need to.
You will need self discipline too.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Budgeting & Bank Accounts, Credit Cards, Credit File & Ratings and Energy boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
If you can't be the best -
Just be better than you were yesterday.0 -
I use an excel spreadsheet and track everything and put into categories. Large annual bills like insurances, boiler and fire services, holiday, tv licence, car services and mots, Christmas etc are input in whatever month they are due and divided into 12 and monthly amounts set aside in separate account from usual monthly spend. I have a buffer in there too just in case we get presented with large home maintenance or car repair bill or to cover shortfall on holiday. I keep all this in our e savings account so easy to move across. Our main accounts are just the joint bills and everyday expenditure account, e savings account for annual bills and (emergency funds) and we each have a personal monthly spends account.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free Wannabe, Budgeting and Banking and Savings and Investment boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
The 365 Day 1p Challenge 2025 #1 £667.95/£162.90
Save £12k in 2025 #1 £12000/£70000 -
MSMoney is still by far the best tool out there to do personal finance and proper budgeting.
it's free.0 -
getmore4less wrote: »MSMoney is still by far the best tool out there to do personal finance and proper budgeting.
it's free.
Where can you download this from?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 253K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.4K Spending & Discounts
- 243.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.8K Life & Family
- 257K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards