Types of Personal Finance Budgets: Which Is Best For You?

Types of Personal Finance Budgets: Which Is Best For You?

There are different types of personal finance budgets you can incorporate into your financial planning.

One thing I have come to appreciate in my personal finance journey and curating content around it is how the need for personalized take in financial planning is important. I have tried following a detailed budget, the one where you have to account for just about every expense in an Excel sheet. It is the most propagated budgeting technique, but it doesn’t have to be your only option.

Having a variety of techniques to choose from makes it much easier for you to choose a budgeting technique that suits your personality.

That said, below are the top personal finance budgets to consider:

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Types of Personal Finance Budgets to Consider

Fortunately, there are several types of personal finance budgets at your disposal. If I have learned anything over the years, it’s that you can try as many as you want until you settle for one or two that suit your personality and needs.

1. Zero-Based Budgeting Method

A zero-based budget can be engaging and time-consuming because it involves tracking every penny. But when done consistently and correctly, it can be an efficient way to track your money and know where it all goes.

In its entirety, this technique is all about balancing the amounts on your income and expense side. So, if your income is $1000, your expenses should also total up to $1000. The balance between your income and expenses should be zero.

You can put the extra money in a savings or investments account if you have some money left after adding up all house bills and expenses to balance it all out. In case of a deficit, you can deduct funds from some of your expenses.

The bottom line is that both sides of the equation must balance.

2. The 50/30/20 Budget

The 50/30/20 budgeting technique is simpler than the zero-sum budget. If you still want to create a budget but don’t have the energy, time, or patience to work with a detailed version, this is an excellent option for you.

Now, here’s how you go about it:

50% of your net income – necessities, like rent, transport, groceries, etc
30% of your net income – for catering to your wants, like entertainment expenses
20% of your net income – goes toward your savings and debts

The good thing about this type of budgeting is that it allows you to save while still spending money on needs and wants without feeling guilty. As long as you are saving 20% and using 50% on your needs, you can spend the remaining 30% as you wish.

3. The Envelope Budgeting System

Are you okay with handling cash? If you prefer paying for stuff in cash and probably receiving your wages in cash, the envelope budgeting system might work for you.

It entails dividing your money according to expenses, putting it in specific envelopes, and using it when it is time to pay for that particular expense. If the money from an envelope runs out, you’re not allowed to take cash from another envelope. For instance, if you have an envelope for groceries, savings, rent, and transport, you can not take some money from other envelopes if the cash in your groceries runs out.

Because the envelope technique promotes using cash and ditching cards and online transfers, it can also help you avoid getting into debt. For example, if you were out shopping and ran out of money from a particular envelope and didn’t have a credit card or access to digital loans, there is less chance of borrowing to meet these expenses.

However, if you are not a great fan of handling physical cash, this system will not work for you.

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4. Paying Yourself First

As mentioned in a previous post, paying yourself first involves saving, investing, and paying bills and debts before using the rest of your money to meet your expenses, including wants.

You can make a list of expenses to prioritize when your money comes in before you start spending. You can even automate money deductions to your savings and investment accounts. And, if your employer has a pension scheme, you can add an extra voluntary amount to save more for your retirement. This way, whatever balance is in your account, you can spend it on your wants guilt-free.

This method is ideal if you struggle with detailed budgets, saving, and investing. It ensures that you set something aside first before blowing your money away.

Why A Good Budget Is Important For Your Financial Success

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It sounds great not to follow a strict budget or even think about where your money goes. But, if you are working on achieving financial freedom, a good budget will come in handy in various ways, including:

- For aligning your financial goals with your income and spending
- Ensuring you always save money for a rainy day and significant expenses
- It ensures you invest because investing is the only way to build wealth
- Managing your debts

If you have not started budgeting, now is the right time to start. Luckily, you do not have to get stuck with the traditional and detailed budgeting technique. Just pick a method that aligns with your personality and work with it. Also, keep in mind that it will take time before budgeting seems seamless, especially if you are just getting started. Alternatively, you can use a budgeting app.