How to Make a Budget Budget... or Spending Plan? Now that you
have identified your goals, you’re going to need to evaluate
your budget. Maybe you feel like you don’t have a budget because
as soon as your money comes in, it feels like it’s already
spent. Everyone has a budget; sometimes you just don’t know it!
Do you pay bills? Purchase groceries or food? Buy an occasional
cup of coffee? If you ever do any of these things, you are
working with a budget. Maybe the word "budget" sounds too
restrictive, like a diet. If so, make your "budget" a spending
plan. With a spending plan you will take control of your money
by choosing how you want to spend and save your money each
month. At its most basic, a spending plan has two basic parts:
Counting your student loans as income Be careful counting
educational loans as income! When used wisely, loans can make
your education possible, however you want to use loans only to
fill the gaps for things you truly need. What feels like income
today will only decrease your income