#budgeting

#budgeting

If you're a college freshman, congratulations! You're now likely financially responsible for yourself. While that can be exciting, it can also be nerve-wracking especially if you don't have a lot of money. You have the freedom to control your own budget. At the same time, you may have thousands of dollars in student loans. How do you make smart financial decisions so you have enough money to spend at school and don't graduate with more debt than you need?

But there's something about putting pen to paper that helps mentally solidify your intentions. And when it comes to growing financially, having a budget is critically important. That includes itemizing your assets, liabilities (e.g., expenses) and income. That income should include your present pay from working, but could also include potential future sources like Social Security benefirts, pensions, investments, and retirement accounts.

Sign up to student discount sites such as UNiDAYS and Student Beans, and always check them for discount codes and deals before you buy anything. Most places offer between 10 and 20% discount, and the savings can really add up. Zahra Onsori, City, University of London, journalism Zahra Onsori: Sign up to student discount sites.' Photograph: Zahra Onsori It might feel a bit old-school, but using cash on a night out really helped me stick to my budget.

PITTSBURGH - These are anxious times in which to feed our families. Grocery shopping is not just wildly expensive these days - the Consumer Price Index in July was up 2.7% year-over-year, with the price of some foods reaching record levels - but also filled with uncertainty. Just when you think the price of a box of Honey Nut Cheerios couldn't be higher (seriously folks, $7?) we have to worry about how big a hole President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs will burn in our pockets going forward.

Create a budget that lists your income and your expenses. This is crucial. Without a budget, many of us lose track of what's coming in financially and what's going out. In fact, when others have asked me for financial advice, my top question is, What are you spending on? Unfortunately, I'm often met with a deer-in-the-headlights stare and a response of "I don't know." Unfortunately, not knowing will destroy you financially.

Most entrepreneurs don't launch companies because they love spreadsheets; they launch because they see a market gap or a mission they can't ignore. Yet as the day's revenue appears, so does the need for rigorous finance. Ignore it and you risk becoming another cautionary tale. Sixteen per cent of failed startups cite cash-flow mismanagement as the primary reason for shutting down. The great news is that, in 2025, a first-rate financial education is sitting online fully free

It's never too early to start having a conversation with your kids - whether they're in elementary school, high school or college - about smart ways to navigate finances. Starting the conversation earlier will help create healthy money habits as they grow, ultimately benefiting their financial future. To help you get started, here are tips that make it easier for kids of all ages to learn how to save, budget and begin managing their finances more independently:

Aligning strategy and budgets is touted as a hallmark of effective management. Yet, an alarming disconnect between the two has been observed over many years.

In 2019, I embraced the FIRE movement and reduced my work hours to enjoy more time freedom while living on a strict budget.

Do not go for whatever you did not budget for. Don't do any expenditure because others are doing it. Make your budget in the order of priority and follow it diligently.

Eloping became the attractive option as we realized the stress and expense of a large wedding didn't align with our new priorities as parents.

Investing 8-12% of total revenue in marketing is a solid rule of thumb according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Companies aiming for rapid growth may surpass this range, with leading brands like Hims & Hers and Expedia reportedly allocating close to 50% of their revenue to marketing efforts.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signalled that further tax rises may be necessary to address a £40 billion shortfall in public finances for the upcoming Budget.

The Trump administration notified states that it was withholding over $6 billion in previously approved federal education grants to schools, impacting school districts' plans for the fall.

This should be a wake up call to all marketers: traditional AI isn't as sophisticated as you think it is.

In an unpredictable economy marked by inflation pressures, volatile markets, and the potential for shifts in tax laws, the fundamentals of smart retirement planning remain the same.