{"id":10148,"date":"2020-08-04T22:09:41","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T22:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/?page_id=10148"},"modified":"2025-06-05T15:56:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T22:56:48","slug":"budgeting-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/budgeting\/budgeting-guidelines","title":{"rendered":"How Much Money You Should Spend on Living Expenses – Budgeting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Budget Breakdown for Monthly Costs<\/p>\n

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Time-tested, general budgeting guidelines for almost any level of income.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Intro Paragraph” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(91,37,175,0.15)” custom_padding=”0px||150px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||70px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||45px||false|false” top_divider_style_last_edited=”off|desktop” bottom_divider_style=”ramp2″ bottom_divider_color=”#ffffff” bottom_divider_repeat=”1x” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal|vertical” bottom_divider_style_tablet=”” bottom_divider_style_phone=”” bottom_divider_style_last_edited=”on|phone” bottom_divider_height_tablet=”70px” bottom_divider_height_phone=”100px” bottom_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” bottom_divider_flip_tablet=”” bottom_divider_flip_phone=”horizontal” bottom_divider_flip_last_edited=”on|phone” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ width_tablet=”70%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs font_icon=”%%20%%” use_home_icon=”off” use_home_text=”on” show_custom_taxonomy_crumbs=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ body_text_color=”rgba(102,102,102,0.8)” link_text_color=”rgba(42,209,61,0.8)” custom_margin=”||50px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_direction=”left” global_module=”6437″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” link_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” link_text_color__hover=”rgba(90,39,178,0.4)”][\/et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_2_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Living Expenses Guide: How Much Money Should You Spend?<\/h1>\n

Budgeting Guidelines for Income<\/h2>\n

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Many people wonder how much of their income they should spend on their home, vehicle, groceries, clothes, etc. Below are some guidelines to give you a general idea and a starting point for your budget. What that will look like depends on your income, family circumstances, monthly expenses, and where you live.<\/p>\n

Start working with these budgeting guidelines<\/a> by developing your budget <\/a> with your net income. You have left this money after government deductions from your paycheque but before voluntary deductions like RRSPs, pensions, or other savings. If you have expenses like high debt payments, childcare, school expenses, or giving, you\u2019ll need to lower your spending in your budgeting process in other areas to allow for these higher expenses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|||||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-70px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Budgeting Guidelines
Costs of Living by Category<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/budget_guidelines_notitle.png” alt=”A pie chart showing budget guidelines per cost of living category. ” title_text=”budget_guidelines_notitle” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fold” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#e4f8e0″ min_height=”785px” min_height_tablet=”1150px” min_height_phone=”” min_height_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”75px||150px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||110px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||135px||false|false” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_color=”#ffffff” top_divider_height_tablet=”60px” top_divider_height_phone=”40px” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” bottom_divider_style=”curve2″ bottom_divider_color=”#ffffff” bottom_divider_height_tablet=”80px” bottom_divider_height_phone=”50px” bottom_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” top_divider_flip=”vertical|horizontal” sticky_enabled=”0″ da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”70px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Breakdown of Cost of Living Budget Categories<\/h2>\n

It’s important to write everything out when planning your financial goals, like paying off your debt against your monthly income and fixed expenses. This allows you to understand better where you are in your finances, as well as help to plan out how you\u2019re going to get where you want to be.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here is an example of how your budget percentages should look.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-30px||3px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”35″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Housing: 35%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”8px” global_colors_info=”{}”]This would include mortgage payments, property taxes, strata fees, rent, homeowner insurance, and hydro or electricity.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||4px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”5″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Utilities: 5%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”22px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Examples of utility costs are cell phone, gas, and internet bills. Nowadays, people also include their streaming services under utilities in lieu of what people used to pay commonly for cable services. Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services can also be included as part of your utility bill.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||6px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”20″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Food: 10-20%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Groceries, personal care products, and things for baby needs are expenses you\u2019d include here. If you like to eat out a lot, you might include those expenses here. But if eating out is more something you do for fun, you can include it under personal spending. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”20″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Transportation: 15-20%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]The money you spend on public transit, taxis, fuel, vehicle insurance, maintenance, and parking are included in this category. This might change depending on whether or not you\u2019re working from home, but some should still be allotted to understand your budget as a whole. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||2px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”5″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Clothing: 3-5%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Shoes and clothes for all members of the family.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||4px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”3″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Medical: 3%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

This includes premiums, specialists, and over-the-counter medication.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||5px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”10″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Personal & Discretionary: 5-10%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Money spent on entertainment, recreation, education, tobacco & alcohol, eating out, gaming, hair cuts, hobbies, and planned charitable giving are some examples. If you spend more in this category, make sure your budget balances by spending less elsewhere.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” custom_margin=”-17px||2px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”10″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Savings: 5-10%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Plan to save money for expenses that don\u2019t occur every month, as well as for your future. Then you\u2019ll have extra available when you need it. This can also be categorized as an emergency fund or emergency savings for things that come up in the future.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_counters _builder_version=”4.16″ title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”18px” percent_font=”||||||||” percent_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” percent_font_size=”10px” percent_line_height=”1em” custom_margin=”-17px||4px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” animation_direction=”left” border_radii=”on|15px|15px|15px|15px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_counter percent=”15″ bar_background_color=”#5b25af” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_video_mp4=”on” background_enable_video_webm=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” bar_background_color_default=”#5b25af” use_percentages=”on”]Debt Payments: 5-15%[\/et_pb_counter][\/et_pb_counters][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Many people find that their budget is quite tight when their monthly debt payments are over 20% of their net income. It\u2019s good practice to save money before you start heavily paying down your debt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By following this basic plan and opening separate accounts for different spending, as well as savings accounts, you can more easily plan out your budget percentages and work towards debt repayment.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||90px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||100px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-40px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How to View These Budgeting Guidelines to Get a Hold of Your Spending Habits<\/h2>\n

These guidelines have been created for someone who really needs to put together a tight budget. If finances aren’t strained in your household, you can choose to be more relaxed and go beyond the guidelines in areas as long as you’re careful to do two things:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. You’re not spending more than you earn, and<\/li>\n
  2. You’re allocating some money towards savings (savings are absolutely necessary for life’s many unexpected expenses. Don’t rely on credit for these unexpected expenses. Rely on the money you’ve saved).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The category in these guidelines that people will most commonly exceed is the “Personal & Discretionary” expense category. The guidelines suggest you spend 5 – 10% of your income in this category. However, if you happen to have young children in daycare, have high education costs, take nice vacations, tithe, or have hobbies or recreational interests that aren’t cheap, you’ll quickly exceed the suggested maximum for this category. It’s important to know there is nothing wrong with exceeding this limit as long as your budget balances (your expenses don’t exceed your income).<\/p>\n

    You may also notice that if you spend the maximum amount in every category, you’ll exceed 100% of your income. These guidelines are only recommended ranges. Life is all about choices, but you can’t choose the maximum amount in all spending categories. Spending more in one category may mean that you’ll have to cut back in another category to make your budget balance. If you live in Canada’s far north or in a city where homes are very expensive, you may have to cut back more than an average Canadian would in the “Food” or “Housing” categories in order to afford your higher living costs.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#E7DFF3″ custom_padding=”140px||55px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”120px||100px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”100px||||false|false” top_divider_style=”slant2″ top_divider_height_tablet=”70px” top_divider_height_phone=”” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” bottom_divider_style=”curve2″ bottom_divider_height_tablet=”80px” bottom_divider_height_phone=”50px” bottom_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|auto|-40px|auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    The Easiest Way to Use the Guidelines<\/h2>\n

    To make budgeting easier, we’ve built these budgeting guidelines<\/a> into an Excel Budgeting Calculator Spreadsheet<\/a> provided through our educational website, MyMoneyCoach.ca<\/a>. It’s free and easy to use – even if you’ve never touched Excel before. If you don’t have Excel on your computer, you can also download it for the Mac or OpenOffice (free open source office software).<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ module_class=”custom_row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”461px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”vertical-align second-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    As you enter your living expenses, the interactive spreadsheet will calculate all the spending guideline numbers.<\/span> It also visually compares your spending in each category to these guidelines to see how you’re doing. As you fill out the budget spreadsheet with your living expenses, it warns you if you’re going over the guidelines in any area of your budget and shows how your spending falls into these guidelines. It also suggests spending amounts for every budgeting category listed above based on your income and family size. It shows you what your budget looks like in a pie chart divided into the various expense categories when you’re done.<\/span><\/p>\n

    On top of all this, the budgeting calculator offers you tons of helpful suggestions and tips along the way so that you can avoid the common pitfalls of the budgeting process.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”first-on-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/budgeting-calculator-speadsheet_2colm.jpg” alt=”A laptop computer showing Credit Counselling Society’s budget calculator spreadsheet.” title_text=”budgeting-calculator-spreadsheet” url=”https:\/\/mymoneycoach.ca\/budgeting\/budgeting-calculators-tools\/budgeting-spreadsheet” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”2%” border_radii=”off|200px|20px|200px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”95px||1px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||40px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/creating-a-budget_2colm.jpg” alt=”A person writing their budget in a notebook. ” title_text=”creating-a-budget” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_slide=”2%” border_radii=”off|200px|20px|200px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    How to Create a Budget With Irregular or Fluctuating Income<\/h2>\n

    If your income fluctuates, creating a budget with irregular income can be challenging. To make things easier, try using one of these three strategies for creating a personal budgeting plan for irregular income<\/a>. These practical strategies will give you simple but effective ways to make sure you’re not spending too much in better months and have enough to spend in leaner months.<\/p>\n

    If you’d like to learn more about how to plan for and budget with irregular income and even ask questions along the way, you can in one of our free online workshops<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Last Updated on June 5, 2025 <\/span><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” prev_background_color=”#FFFFFF” admin_label=”CTA – 4 Questions” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/credit-counselling-couple-3-scaled-purple.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” max_width=”100%” custom_margin_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_padding=”320px||170px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”200px||140px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”180px||||false|false” top_divider_style=”ramp2″ top_divider_height=”180px” top_divider_flip=”horizontal” top_divider_height_tablet=”100px” top_divider_height_phone=”70px” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” bottom_divider_style=”curve2″ bottom_divider_color=”#FFFFFF” bottom_divider_height=”150px” bottom_divider_style_last_edited=”off|tablet” bottom_divider_height_tablet=”105px” bottom_divider_height_phone=”60px” bottom_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” scroll_blur=”0|40|60|100|100px|0px|0px” hover_enabled=”0″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row module_id=”four-question-cta” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.7)” text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_2_font_size=”42px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index=”1″ text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration_tablet=”1000ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ inline_fonts=”Work Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    Need more help?<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.1em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_2_font_size=”42px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index=”1″ text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration_tablet=”1000ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_delay_tablet=”1000ms” animation_delay_phone=”” animation_delay_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ inline_fonts=”Work Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    See how we can help you. Just answer 4 simple questions<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subtitle” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index=”1″ text_orientation=”center” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”79px” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration_tablet=”1500ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_delay_tablet=”2000ms” animation_delay_phone=”” animation_delay_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    If you can take a minute to answer these 4 multiple-choice questions, you can find out how we can help you. It will only take a minute, and what you discover may surprise you.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/financial-tools-resources\/debt-quiz-assessment-tool-short” button_text=”Start the Quiz” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.4″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#2ad13d” button_border_width=”2px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ z_index=”1″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”2000ms” animation_starting_opacity=”30%” animation_duration_tablet=”1000ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_text_color__hover=”#2AD13D” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”nine-question-cta” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.7)” text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_2_font_size=”42px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index=”1″ text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration_tablet=”1000ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ inline_fonts=”Work Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    Need more help?<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_font=”|700|||||||” text_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” text_font_size=”30px” text_line_height=”1.1em” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_2_font=”Montserrat|700||on|||||” header_2_font_size=”42px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index=”1″ text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration_tablet=”1000ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_delay_tablet=”1000ms” animation_delay_phone=”” animation_delay_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ inline_fonts=”Work Sans” global_colors_info=”{}”]Do you need help consolidating your debt?[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subtitle” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” z_index=”1″ text_orientation=”center” max_width=”60%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”79px” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” animation_direction=”bottom” animation_duration_tablet=”1500ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” animation_delay_tablet=”2000ms” animation_delay_phone=”” animation_delay_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]It can be hard to budget if you’re monthly debt payments are too high. See what debt consolidation or debt relief option may be available to you. Simply click on the button below, answer 9 quick questions, and then view your results.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/nomoredebts.org\/financial-tools-resources\/debt-quiz-assessment-tool-medium” button_text=”Discover My Options” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#2ad13d” button_border_width=”2px” button_border_radius=”8px” button_font=”|600|||||||” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ z_index=”1″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”2000ms” animation_starting_opacity=”30%” animation_duration_tablet=”1000ms” animation_duration_phone=”” animation_duration_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_text_color__hover=”#2AD13D” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code admin_label=”Code for Alternating Content Test” _builder_version=”4.25.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]