Your Budget

Your Budget, Methods and Budget Counselling

• Why a budget is necessary
• Budgeting methods (resources)
• Budget counselling – Seek help from the "Pros"

Why a budget is necessary

A budget is a tool that allows you to take control of your personal finances and to make the best use of your income in order to meet your needs, according to your values and preferences. It also helps you to plan and to ensure that you reach your objectives and aspirations. When we realize where our money is going, some options may become more apparent.

Insofar as we have basic needs to fulfill a roof over our head, heat, a car for getting to work, clothing, childcare and school costs for children, food, etc. and other needs such as recreation, travel and that tenth pair of shoes… you must understand your financial situation in order to distinguish between what is essential and what is unnecessary. This will allow you to see your spending priorities.

You have to understand the reason for your debts and obligations (required payments, due date of bills, etc.) before choosing a course of action that could help you reduce your debt.

In short, preparing a budget will allow you to:

• understand your true financial position;
• determine how much money you need to meet your basic needs;
• achieve your goal of regaining control of your spending;
• evaluate your daily expenses;
• identify the priorities that will be the base of your consumer choices; and
• perhaps even save for more difficult times or help make a cherished dream become reality.

Useful budgeting tools

Preparing a budget means identifying as accurately as possible your income and expenses for the next twelve months. This can been done by referring to expenses from the previous year or a tally of your monthly expenses for a set period, or by using a budgeting worksheet. You can download an example of a worksheet below:

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If the following document is not accessible to you, please contact us to obtain other appropriate formats.

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This worksheet may be a good tool to use in preparation for a meeting with a budget counsellor. Since this worksheet includes only the basic required budget categories, your counsellor may ask you for additional details on your expenditures and revenues.

• Budgeting Worksheet: PDF version (PDF format, 78 KB, 3 pages)
• Budgeting Worksheet: RTF version (RTF format, 2.7 MB, 3 pages)

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Information on Downloading a PDF Reader
To access the Portable Document Format (PDF) version you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet:

• Adobe Reader
• Foxit Reader
• Xpdf
• eXPert PDF Reader

To view the RTF version, use the document conversion features available in most word processing software, or use a file viewer capable of reading RTF.

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Various budgeting tools are also available some of which require a computer.

Preparing a budget is time consuming and requires you to be realistic. If you have a partner, take the time to prepare your budget together. It requires discipline to budget over a period of time in order to record all expenses incurred, no matter how small the amount.

Budgeting resources: online and paper-based methods

These methods were developed or recommended by consumer organizations and/or by members of the Credit Council of Canada. The following are descriptions of certain available methods we are not recommending one method more than another.

Online

• Grille budgétaire — ACEF de l’Est de Montréal
  With this pocket calculator, you can assess your annual income and expenses. To access this tool, please visit the ACEF de l’Est de Montréal website (in French only*).
• Home Budget — Credit Canada (Credit Counselling Service of Toronto)
  This is a calculator that will help you control your budget and determine where your money is going. To access this tool, visit the Credit Canada website.
• La grille budgétaire — Option consommateurs
  You can use this spreadsheet to prepare your monthly budget and financial updates. The calculations are done automatically. To access this tool, please visit the visit the Option consommateurs website (The tool is available in French only*).

Paper Methods

• Budgeting Made Easy – ACEF du Nord de Montréal
  Budgeting Made Easy accommodates all financial situations. It is simple to use and very effective for consumers who really want to start new on the right track. It comes with a step-to-step user guide explaining how to budget. This method contains grids, which will enable consumers to better evaluate specific expenses. Available in French and English. To order a copy, contact the ACEF du Nord de Montréal.
• Finances personnelles 2010 – Les Éditions Protégez-Vous
  Developed in co-operation with the Association coopérative d’économie familiale (ACEF) de l’Est de Montréal, this practical guide suggests a simple, effective, five-step budgeting method, daily and monthly spreadsheets to manage your income and expenses, other helpful resources and a vast array of tips. To order a copy, please visit the Protégez-Vous website (in French only*).
• Stretch Your Dollars: Budgeting Basics – MoneyMentors
  This workbook offers suggestions on how to budget and how to cut your expenses, boost your income, and access useful information, services and programs. To download a copy, visit the MoneyMentors (PDF format, 1.4 MB, 36 pages)website.

 * This link leads to a unilingual Web site of an entity not subject to the Official Languages Act. Industry Canada, makes this link available to the public as a courtesy. Industry Canada is therefore not responsible for the fact that the content of this website is not in both official languages.

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