Revisit Your Spending Plan: A Mid-Year Financial Check-In

Young mixed race woman going through paper and bills while typing on a laptop at home.

As we approach the midpoint of the year, it’s a perfect moment to take a step back and review our financial strategies. One of the most important aspects of financial management is having a well-thought-out spending plan. Whether you call it a budget, a financial plan, or a spending strategy, the underlying principle remains the same: allocating your resources wisely to achieve your financial goals. Let’s jump into why it’s important to revisit your spending plan in June and how you can do it effectively.

💸 What is a Spending Plan?

Let’s take a moment to understand what exactly a spending plan is all about. A spending plan, also known as a budget or financial plan, is like your financial GPS. It helps you navigate through your income and expenses, ensuring that you’re headed in the right direction towards your financial goals.

Think of it as a roadmap that outlines where your money comes from (income) and where it goes (expenses). By having a clear spending plan, you can make informed decisions about how to allocate your resources, prioritize your spending, and work towards building a financially secure future.

Here’s a breakdown of why revisiting your spending plan is important and how you can make the process smooth sailing!

🔍 Why Revisit Your Spending Plan?

To Reflect on Your Goals

Do you have the same goals now as when you created your spending plan? Maybe you achieved a short-term goal of saving for a summer vacation, and now it’s time to make a new one! Make sure your budget still aligns with your current financial goals and aspirations.

To Adjust for Changes

Life happens, and so do financial changes. Did you get a raise? Does your utility bill go up in the summer? Use this mid-year review to adjust your plan accordingly. Make sure all your ins and outs are accounted for by using our interactive budget calculator.

To Optimize Efficiency

Fine-tune your spending plan to make sure every dollar is working towards your financial well-being. Check your subscription services to make sure you’re not paying for anything you’re not using. Are you using your gym membership enough to justify the cost? If not, explore cheaper alternatives like home workouts or community centers.

Course Correction

Identify any spending patterns that need correction and take proactive steps to get back on track. Pay attention to how often you’ve been eating out or making impulse buys at the grocery store.

📈 How to Revisit Your Spending Plan

Make Time and Gather Data

Plan a “money date” for yourself. Block off an hour and grab a snack and your laptop. Collect any paper bills or paystubs that aren’t electronic and plan to look through everything without judgment.

Assess Income and Expenses

It’s essential to have a clear picture of your total income. This includes not just your primary salary but all sources of income:

Primary Salary: Your regular paycheck from your main job.
Side Hustles: Earnings from freelance work, part-time jobs, or gig economy work.
Investments: Interest, dividends, or profits from stocks, bonds, or other investments.
Passive Income: Rental income, royalties, or other forms of passive income.
Miscellaneous Income: Any other sources, such as alimony, child support, or government benefits.

Next, you need a detailed record of all your monthly expenses. This includes both fixed and variable expenses:

Rent/Mortgage: Housing costs.
Utilities: Electricity, water, gas, internet, and other essential services.
Insurance: Health, home, and car insurance premiums.
Debt Payments: Monthly payments, including student loans, car, and credit card payments.
Groceries: Food and household supplies.
Transportation: Fuel, public transport, ride-sharing, and car maintenance.
Entertainment: Dining out, movies, concerts, hobbies, and subscriptions.
Healthcare: Medical expenses not covered by insurance, like prescriptions and co-pays.
Clothing: Apparel and footwear.
Savings: Be sure to include anything you are paying to yourself.
Miscellaneous: Any other spending that doesn’t fit into the above categories, such as gifts or charitable donations.

Review Savings and Investments

Evaluating your progress towards savings goals and assessing the performance of your investments is a crucial aspect of fine-tuning your budget. Check if your emergency fund meets your target amount. Financial experts generally recommend having three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a savings account.

Assess your progress towards short-term savings goals such as a vacation, home renovation, or a major purchase. Are you on track to meet these goals within the desired timeframe?

If you find that your savings are lagging, consider increasing your monthly contributions. Automating your savings can help ensure consistency.

Identify Areas for Improvement

Reduce non-essential spending. Look for areas where you can cut back. For example, can you limit eating out to once a week instead of three times? Can you switch to a cheaper phone plan or cancel a rarely-used subscription?

Optimize essential spending. Even within essential categories, there might be room for savings. For example, can you switch to a lower-cost grocery store or reduce utility bills by being more energy-efficient?

Set Revised Goals

Create realistic goals. Based on your analysis, set new financial goals. These could include paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or increasing retirement contributions.

Reallocate funds. Adjust your budget to reflect these goals. If you identified a surplus, decide how much of it will go towards your new goals. If you identified a deficit, determine how much you need to cut from non-essential spending to balance your budget.

Track your progress regularly. Set up a system for regular check-ins on your budget. Monthly reviews can help ensure you stay on track and make necessary adjustments promptly.

Implement Changes

Put your revised spending plan into action and stay committed to your goals!

💡 Tips for Financial Success

Track Your Spending: Use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to stay on top of your expenses.
Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to make saving easier.
Review Regularly: Make mid-year financial reviews a habit for long-term success.
Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting a financial advisor for expert guidance.

TL;DR

A spending plan is your financial roadmap. Revisit it to align with goals, adjust for changes, optimize efficiency, and course-correct if needed. Gather data, assess income/expenses, review savings/investments, identify improvements, set new goals, and implement changes for financial success! 🚀💰