We know it can be tough to make things add up at the end of the month. Bills come in, money goes out… and sometimes there doesn’t seem to be enough of it to go around when payday comes. If you feel like your income isn't covering what you need, it might help to do a budget.

A budget is a basic tool to help you manage your money, helping you to see what comes in, where it all goes – and to take more control of your spending.

Plan:

Doing a budget can give you confidence that you’ve got enough to cover your outgoings – or it can show you where your weak spots are. It's a great way to save money, get your debts down and build for the future.

Talk:

Once you know your budget situation, it’s easier to talk about your plans and goals – and to get help if you need it.

Control:

When you do your own budget and keep an eye on your outgoings, you can easily see how you’re doing. And, if it doesn’t quite add up, it can help you decide where to adjust your spending.

How to control your cash

• Carry cash in smaller amounts – the less you spend, the more you save.
• Keep your credit card spending under control.
• Only buy what you need – try to control your impulse spending.
• Cut back on treats like eating out.
• If you need to save more, ask yourself if you could do without things like your daily coffee, magazine subscriptions or even satellite telly.