Budgeting
Budgeting: Taking Control of Your Money
A budget is more than numbers on a page—it’s a plan for how you want to live, spend, and save. This course teaches young adults the importance of budgeting and provides practical tools to help them create, manage, and stick to a plan that supports both their short-term needs and long-term goals.
Participants will learn how to:
Understand the purpose of a budget – How budgeting provides control, reduces financial stress, and helps achieve goals.
Track income and expenses – Recording where money comes from and where it goes to identify patterns.
Categorize spending – Dividing expenses into needs, wants, savings, and debt repayment.
Use common budgeting methods – 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, and envelope or app-based systems.
Prioritize expenses – Ensuring essentials like rent, food, and transportation are covered before discretionary spending.
Plan for unexpected costs – Setting aside money for emergencies or unplanned expenses.
Adjust budgets over time – Reviewing and updating as income, goals, or life circumstances change.
Use tools and resources – Apps, spreadsheets, and other systems to make budgeting easier and more effective.
By the end of this course, participants will understand that a budget is not a restriction—it’s a roadmap for freedom and choice. They’ll leave with the confidence and skills to build a realistic budget that reflects their values, supports their goals, and keeps their finances on track.
