To quote a famous fictional Chicagoan: “Life comes at you fast.”
And that’s certainly true of those big events: One day, you’re out on a date, the next, you’re huddled around the computer, making a wedding registry with your future spouse.
A new job, marriage, children or big move can be hard to fit into your budget as it is. But there’s good news: You can make a budget that bends along with those rapid-fire life changes. Let’s look at a few budgeting approaches that give you wiggle room (while keeping you on-track for your goals).
How Life’s Big Moments Impact Your Budget
Your budget should be flexible enough to keep pace with commonplace lifestyle changes. Consider how these events could strain a traditional budget:
- New Job or Pay Raise: Extra money is awesome, but it can quickly vanish without a watchful eye and a plan-of-action.
- Marriage or Moving in Together: Being in a relationship is a team sport: Sharing bills, debt, spending habits and financial goals openly is key to a healthy, longterm partnership.
- Having a Baby: Ask any new parent — welcoming a new baby can be an intense shock to your financial system. Childcare, diapers, clothing and healthcare don’t come without their bills.
- Relocating or Moving: Any kind of move involves rent deposits, utility setup fees, movers and furnishings. And that’s on top of the pizza you need to bribe your friends to help!
- Supporting Family Members: It’s becoming increasingly common for families to lean on each other for financial support, housing or childcare. If you’re on the giving end, it can be easy to overspend to help a loved one.
Making Your Money Plan Flexible
With all those potential expenses, your money plan needs to bend and stretch with your life. Here’s how to make it work for you:
Plan Ahead for “What If” Moments
- “What If” Planning: Teach yourself to think about future changes. What if you earn less money for a while? What if you have a new big bill? Plan for these “what ifs” in your budget.
- Review Your Plan Often: Your money plan isn’t a “one and done.” Look at it every few months, or any time something big changes in your life. Make sure it still fits your needs.
Setting Up “Money Buckets” for Future Costs
This is a smart way to save for big costs that don’t happen every month.
- What They Are: “Money buckets” (also called sinking funds) are special savings spots where you put a little bit of money regularly. This money is for big costs that happen later, like a down payment on a home, or money for your child’s college.
- Why They Help: By saving for these big costs ahead of time, you stop yourself from needing to take out loans or use credit cards when these bills pop up. This keeps you out of new unsecured debt.
Handling Money with a Spouse or Partner
If you’re taking the leap and linking your money with someone else’s, getting on the same page about saving, spending and credit card habits is absolutely crucial. It can be an emotional and difficult process, but it’s well worth the effort (and will probably help you and your significant other understand each other in new ways!)
- Talking About Money: Have open and honest talks about money with your partner. Share your money goals and any worries you have.
- Combining Plans: Decide how you’ll put your two money plans together. You can have one main plan, or each have your own. Decide who pays what bills, and set money goals together.
- Old Bills: Talk about any unsecured bills (credit cards, personal loans) you each had before you joined money. Make a plan together for how to pay these off.
Money for Your Kids: Planning for Family Costs
If you have kids, your money plan will change a lot! From healthcare to home-cooked meals, adding a new person to your family can be a pricey enterprise. Consider just a few things that come with a new baby:
- Childcare Costs: Planning for the big cost of childcare is very important. Make sure this is clear in your money plan.
- Kids’ Surprises: Save money for unexpected kid costs, like a sudden doctor visit or special school trips. This stops you from needing credit cards when these pop up.
- Teaching Kids About Money: Even small kids can learn about money! You can teach them simple lessons about saving and spending.
Getting Help When Life’s Changes Bring Big Bills
Even the best laid plans can fail. And guess what? That’s okay — there are plenty of ways to get support when you need it.
For Debts Under $10,000 We Recommend: Credit Counseling
With a number of non-profit organizations across the country, credit counseling can help you build better habits while you pay down credit card debt.
For Major Debts Over $10,000 We Recommend: Debt Consolidation
Debt Consolidation can take your different credit cards and personal loans and roll them into one affordable, monthly payment. Plus, it can help you get out of debt faster, sometimes in as little as 24 months.
Debt Consolidation offers immediate financial relief on your payments, can help calm financial stress and sets you on the path to achieving financial freedom.
Change happens, and your money plan should too. By making your budget flexible, planning for those big moments and knowing when to reach out for a little help, you can handle any money challenge that comes your way.
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