Look at how much is coming in and how much is going out. Look at the full picture of your income by including salary / wages, bonuses, alimony, interest etc. Now you need to fully know your expenses. Start by adding up your childcare, credit card, payments, mortgage/rent, food, utilities, insurance, etc. Remember to include your automatic payments! With that done, you’ll have a better understanding of your finances.

It goes without saying that most of us need to pay attention to what we spend. Being mindful of spending habits can help keep us on track to meet goals for retirement, savings, vacations, and even that new fridge. Beyond your essentials, what do you spend on? Eating out, movies, travel? Understanding your spending habits will help you plan your budget. It also helps you make sound decisions the next time you’re craving take-out.

It’s not always easy to make savings a priority, even when we know how important it is.
Even a small amount put away each pay period can add up over time. Even better, set it up as an automatic withdrawal. An automatic withdrawal into an emergency fund means you don’t see it and don’t need to touch the money – until you need it.

With your finances organized, planning for the future comes next. What do you need for your new car, home, or retirement? How do you get there?
With your budget fully in mind, start looking at how you can make saving for your future your priority.

Your aren’t alone if you dread thinking about your finances. Trying to look at the big picture all at once can seem overwhelming, so start by taking one step at a time.

Step 1. add up income; step 2. figure out expenses; step 3. create a budget; step 4. set up alerts and more to help track your spending.