Financial Literacy 104 – Activated
The process of self-betterment comes with a large amount of responsibility. There remains a need to work on the areas in which we falter as human beings. Many of us do not particularly like or enjoy the topic of finances, simply because it comes with a lot of responsibility and accountability. Accounting for decisions made either to our self-betterment or detriment. This is especially true when it comes to being financially responsible for our future goals that require financial discipline now.
When I started this series on financial literacy I opted to make it as easy to comprehend as possible, because financial jargon can water down the aim and objective, which is to shed enough light for the average Tom, Dick and Harry who is simply trying to master self in finances. This is without the complexity of how to get a bond, or how much you qualify for to purchase a car. Simple old,
how can I better manage my finances without being broke come end of each month?
I developed a strategy called;
Weeks Savings Rule
In the previous articles, we discussed budgeting and savings. This stems from the two. Each month when you draft your budget, you will further break the budget down to expenditure per week. Simply said, each expense will be broken down to 4 weeks as applicable per month.
Example – Food Budget
- When I budget for food for each month, I know that there is usually the big shopping trip that happens in the first week of the month. This trip accounts for the essential groceries, like oil, butter, veggies, meat etc.
- In the duration of the month, each week I will then have to purchase the perishables such as milk, yoghurt and fruits.
- I will then break down my overall food budget amount to account for what I will spend each week, over 4 weeks.
Example of how to break down a budget item;
| Food | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |
| N$ 1500
(overall amount) |
N$ 600 | N$ 300 | N$ 300 | N$ 300 |
Soon as you have done the break-down of each budget item, you then total the weeks below. You will then transfer the amounts of Week 2, 3 and 4 into your savings pocket. In your current account you would have paid your fixed expenses, your savings for both your Unit Trust and 30 Day Savings account, your weekly savings and would have only the spending money of week 1 available.
You will then spend Week 1s money in Week 1. On the Monday of Week 2, you will then transfer from your savings pocket the total of Week 2 and so it goes. Generally the amount of Week 1 is higher than the rest of the weeks. However, try to spread out your spending, like if you are a lady, do your nails in Week 2, as opposed to 1. Go to the spa in Week 4 when the spa is empty and the energy levels need checking. If you are a chap, have a night out with friends in Week 3, do date night with your lady in Week 4. The idea is to spread out your expenses across the month to learn to better manage your finances.
This financial trick is for people who basically need training wheels. For others, it is not necessary as their financial discipline allows them to have money for the entire month without needing to check themselves.
The truth is, learn as much as you can from different sources and take what works for you. In as long as you are practicing financial discipline. That is all that matters.
Start, because the trick is to start somewhere.
I have drafted an example of a budget from start to finish, find it on my personal blog – mavisbraga.com
Here’s to becoming financially savvy. I hope this series has been helpful. Find all 4 articles of the series on my blog – mavisbraga.com
With Love,
Mavis
Mavis is a Brand Ambassador for @KapiaOptics
Find Mavis on Twitter – @mavisbraga or email me – eliasmavis@gmail.com
