It’s never easy to develop a household budget. And it’s harder still to stick to it. Yet a realistic budget is one of the best ways to take control of your finances and still have fun. Call your Member Service Advisor for help in getting started, or follow these simple steps to develop a budget you can live on.

• Calculate your monthly income.

• Figure out what you spend each month. Be sure to include both the big expenses (mortgage and car payments, insurance, taxes, utilities, etc.) and the smaller amounts. Check your spending habits, paying attention to the seemingly harmless expenditures that can add up quickly such as your daily coffee or eating lunch out.

• Design a budget you can follow. Watch out for expenses and categories that are less frequent so they aren’t forgotten. Try to break down larger or less frequent expenses into manageable amounts by taking the amount and dividing it by your pay period to put aside enough each pay to deal with the bill. Build in a realistic entertainment category for “fun” so you won’t become discouraged and abandon the budget. Use our Personal Budget Calculator

• Pay yourself first to save for short- and long-term goals. We can help you choose a savings account and use our easy payroll deduction option to set aside funds without even thinking about it.

• Track your progress. And be prepared to make changes as your needs or circumstances change.