As a new homeowner, one of the first important tasks to accomplish is making a budget for home expenses. The homebuying process had a budget, but now it’s time to think about taking care of your home and enjoying it to the fullest.
To help you get started on making a household budget, here is a basic guide:
Deciding on financial goals can be an excellent way to build your budget. Some examples of financial goals to consider might be paying off your mortgage early or financing a major renovation project.
Track your spending habits for a month to examine the details of your cash outflow. Include fixed expenses, like monthly mortgage payments and property taxes. Variable expenses like entertainment, maintenance and transportation costs should also be included.
Figure out your exact income amount by listing all possible sources of money. This could include regular employment and also gains from selling or renting assets. For budgeting, use your net monthly income rather than gross monthly income to account for taxes.
Once you have your total monthly expenses and net income numbers, you can do the math. A basic formula for finding a starting budget is: net income - total monthly expenses = monthly budget.
After finding your results, you may find opportunities to adjust. For example, you might want to set aside more money into an emergency fund regularly, or find ways to limit your daily spending.
These are only the first steps in creating a workable household budget to account for ongoing costs of homeownership. Use this process as an example for building your own personalized financial plan for your life in your new home.
Lori David Boone is a highly skilled Associate Broker with advanced real estate designations, including GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute), MRP (Military Relocation Professional), SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), and RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert). Lori leverages her extensive legal background and market knowledge to provide high-quality representation for clients buying or selling real estate in the River Region. Her approach is built on strong negotiation skills, marketing expertise, and a commitment to smooth transactions. Currently affiliated with eXp Realty, Lori specializes in the River Region real estate market (Montgomery, Pike Road, Prattville and Wetumpka) , providing comprehensive services from initial consultation to closing.
Lori’s real estate career is distinguished by her dedication to market research and staying updated on the latest industry trends and best practices. Her expertise extends beyond traditional real estate roles, as she is skilled in property listing, market analysis, and creating effective promotional strategies that drive results. She takes pride in building lasting relationships with clients, listening closely to their needs, and delivering personalized solutions that make the buying or selling process as stress-free as possible.
In addition to her real estate credentials, Lori holds a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Mass Communication, which further strengthens her communication and negotiation skills. These qualities, combined with her commitment to excellent service, make her a trusted advisor for both first-time buyers and seasoned investors.
With a passion for helping her clients achieve their real estate goals, Lori continues to be a top choice in the River Region for anyone seeking professional, reliable, and results-driven real estate services.
Reach out to Lori for personalized real estate services backed by a comprehensive understanding of the market and the highest professional standards.