Budgeting

Choose a budget that fits your pay schedule

Start with the money you actually receive. Choose a monthly method for deciding where it goes, then use payday dates to check whether each bill can be paid on time. A balanced monthly budget can still leave a gap before rent is due.

1. Step 1

   Estimate the deposit

   Starting a job or changing pay? Estimate take-home pay, then replace the estimate with your regular deposit once you have a pay stub.

2. Step 2

   Choose your allocation method

   Use 50/30/20 for a broad category check. Choose zero-based budgeting when you want every available dollar assigned to a specific job.

3. Step 3

   Put bills on the payday calendar

   Paid every two weeks or twice a month? Assign obligations to the paycheck that arrives before the due date and carry the remaining balance forward.

4. Step 4

   Reserve for expenses that are not monthly

   Annual insurance and planned repairs need their own savings schedule. Keep those sinking funds separate from the reserve for unexpected needs.