This document provides tips for managing a budget and saving money. It recommends tracking income from all sources as well as money going towards savings, unavoidable costs like rent and utilities, and discretionary spending. Creating a budget with categories like housing, transportation, food, insurance, education, and entertainment can help avoid overspending. It's important to first allot money towards fixed costs, then savings, food, clothing, and leisure, using any leftover funds for additional savings or fun activities. The document also offers tips for smart shopping, lowering utility bills, paying bills on time, and reducing unnecessary spending. With practice, developing good financial habits can become natural.

1. TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR BUDGET
AND MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR
MONEY

2.  There are TONS of things that you will have to pay
for throughout your life. Costs that crop up can
seem easy to take care of, like grocery shopping
and paying rent, but once you start adding up all of
your costs, the result can be thousands of dollars
more than you can actually afford.

3. Getting yourself stuck in difficult financial situations is
so easy. Because of this, it is important for you to
keep track a few things:

4.  How much money is coming in? Whether it be from
a job, scholarships, financial aid, allowances, or
gifts, it all counts.
 How much money is going into savings? Do you
have any money put aside for future investments,
plans, emergencies, or rainy days?
 How much money is going out? How much money
is going towards your unavoidable costs, such as
utilities and groceries? How much money is being
spent unnecessarily?

5.  It is important to be aware of your money situation.
By budgeting your incoming money each month, it is
possible to avoid overspending.

6. Some of the categories in a budget might be:
 Rent/Mortgage
 Utilities (Water, Hydro, City Fees, Garbage Disposal etc.)
 Insurance
 School Fees/Study Materials ( Tuition, Books, Paper etc.)
 Transportation (Car, Bus etc.)
 Groceries (Food, Personal Products, Home Care Products etc.)
 Emergency Fund
 Savings
 Entertainment
 Clothing
 Credit Card, Cell Phone, Internet, Cable, Landline etc.

7.  There are lots of things to take care of. It is
important to know what takes precedence. Since
some fees change very little throughout the month,
you can safely budget those out first. Allot money
for:
 Rent
 Utilities
 Transportation (Bus Pass etc.)
 Schooling etc.
 Internet, Cell Phone, Cable, Landline (if necessary
and/or applicable)
 Any fixed (necessary) payments

8.  Once you have set money aside for inevitable
costs, you can divide up money for groceries,
clothing, savings, and emergency funding. Lastly,
you can use the leftover money for leisure activities,
entertainment, memberships, and travel among
other things. Or you can save that too!

9.  Since costs on everyday products to large
investments are so high, being a smart shopper
and a mindful money holder is imperative. Here are
some spending tips to keep you on track.

10.  Buy food in bulk whenever possible.
 Buy in season fruits and vegetables.
 Freeze produce for smoothies, baking, or snacking.
 Buy local from farmers markets or produce shops.
 Shop with a friend and split deals.
 Cook meals at home instead of eating out.
 Do your research! Find deals before you buy.
 Use coupons whenever you can.
 Don’t shop on an empty stomach.
 Drink tap water or invest in a filtration system.
 Don’t buy items that you don’t really need.
 Don’t waste food.

11.  Turn off lights when you leave a room.
 Turn off electronics when not in use.
 Don’t leave things plugged in unless you are using
them.
 Turn off the water!
 Wash clothes in cold water.
 Use your cell phone wisely.
 Pay bills on time.
 Walk, bike, bus, or carpool whenever you can.
 Save money for leisure activities.
 Don’t jump into big investments before you are
financially ready and mentally prepared.
 Think before you spend!

12.  Being a smart consumer takes practice. You are
going to make mistakes. Keep working at it and it
will become natural to you. It is much easier to take
care of your money in the first place rather than
have to deal with the consequences later.