预算检查: 税 Time Is the Right Time

Every year, about 140 million households file their federal tax returns. 对于许多, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, 退休, and investment account statements; and relying on computer software to take advantage of every tax break the code permits.¹

It seems a shame not to make the most of all that effort.

税 preparation may be the only time of year many households gather all their financial information in one place. That makes it a perfect time to take a critical look at how much money is coming in and where it’s all going. In other words, this is a great time to give the household budget a checkup.

六阶段

A thorough budget checkup involves six steps.

1. 创建一些类别. Start by dividing expenses into useful categories. Some possibilities: home, auto, food, household, debt, clothes, pets, entertainment, and charity. Don’t forget savings and investments. It may also be helpful to create subcategories. Housing, for example, can be divided into mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
2. 跟着钱走. Go through all the receipts and statements gathered to prepare taxes and get a better understanding of where the money went last year. 跟踪所有的. 尽可能具体, and don’t forget to account for the cost of a latte on the way to the office each day.
3. 预估费用. Knowing how much was spent per budget category can provide a useful template for projecting future expenses. 浏览每个类别. Are expenses likely to rise in the coming year? 如果是的话，是多少? The results of this projection will form the basis of a budget for the coming year.
4. 确定预期收入. Add together all sources of income. 确保使用净收入.
5. 做数学计算. It’s time for the moment of truth. Subtract projected expenses from expected income. If expenses exceed income, it may be necessary to consider changes. Prioritize categories and look to reduce those with the lowest importance until the budget is balanced.
6. 坚持下去. If it’s not in the budget, don’t spend it. If it’s an emergency, make adjustments elsewhere.

税 time can provide an excellent opportunity. You have a chance to give your household budget a thorough checkup. 控制你的钱, you may find you are able to devote more of it to the pursuit of your financial goals.

1. 国税局.政府,2023

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