Silly budget question- how can i create a monthly budget when bills (electric, ect) change every month?

Answer 1

you can average your bills i always try to be a little high that way i come in under budget like if your light bill runs from 75-100 always figure the 100 amount for budget purpose

Answer 2

take the highest price and subtract the lowest from it, then add that number to the highest price. add 25-50 $$ to that and use that as your budget. when u get the bills u will have enough to pay them and if u have any extra$$ u can put it in an account for a vacation or something, it becomes a great motivation to save water/electricity/ turn the heat down, AC up ect.

ex/ the highest electricity bill was 200 the lowest was 150

200-150= 50
200+50= 250 + 25 or 30 or 50 or whatever = lets say $300 put that much aside for electricity. Good Luck.

Answer 3

You have to go back and see what those items have run for the past year, at least. Two years is even better. Then you look to see what part of the year you might be spending more or less. Depends on air conditioning, heat, cooking, laundry, that kind of usage. I use one figure for winter and one for summer because where I live it changes drastically season to season.

A budget is a "tool" to help you. It is not carved in stone. It helps you live within your limits. If you go over budget in an item, then you adjust it. If you are always low on an item, then adjust that. Always figure higher than you expect, for the obvious reasons.

I know it is difficult, but you should budget in money to go directly into a savings, interest bearing account. Even if it is a very small amount, it is better than nothing at all.

Budgets can be very valuable if used correctly.

Answer 4

Create an Excel spreadsheet for your budget. In the first column, label your sources of income (job), then leave a space and label your expenses (car insurance, rent, food, etc.). In the first row, label the months. Using you excel, there are formulas for subtracting expenses from income so you see what surplus or deficit you have. Put the file someplae easily accessable so you won't forget/lose it (I would use the desktop, unless you share your computer). Gosh, it's a lot easier to do than explain, I wish I could just do it for you, lol. good luck!

Answer 5

Depending on where you live in, some companies offer "the budget" which basically means you will be charge the same amount every month & will be re-adjusted every year and a possible credit (yay), if needed.

Answer 6

Well you can plan for that. You can also change your electric account plan to budget it for you, by payng an average everymonth based on your last years bills. If it works out for you in the end they refund you the difference.

Answer 7

A budget is a forecast, it doesn't have to be exact. Use either the average, or the highest expected amount.

Answer 8

Use the highest it's been, and take whatever is left over and put it in savings