Money management is the key to today’s economy, especially for many low- or medium-income households. The unfortunate thing is that they might teach you mathematics, calculus, and maybe a couple of theories about finance but budgeting is a whole different practical skill that NEEDS to be learned. Here, we’ll talk about budgeting, especially budgeting for utilities. If you are ready, let’s get started.
What Do We Mean by Utilities?
When we say utilities, we usually talk about the essentials that enable your house or your business to work properly. For example, you need to pay for electricity which is one of the most essential utilities. It is used for lighting, charging electronic devices, and powering various equipment. You pay what you use, which is measured as kWh (kilowatt-hours). Another utility that is vital is gas, either natural gas or propane. It is used mostly in heating, cooking, fueling, etc. Gas bills are determined by the volume of gas used. Water is another crucial utility. It is used for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes, and irrigation. It is similar to gas when the bills are calculated. Other common utilities are sewage and wastewater services, HVAC utilities, trash and recycling, internet and cable television services, telephone, and fees required for homeowners’ associations.
Let’s Help You With Allocating Your Budget for Utilities
The first step in budgeting for utilities is to understand your expenses. Take a quick look at your past bills; what do you pay for? It is always a good idea to categorize those bills. I would divide them into two main categories: fixed and variable costs. Fixed ones are basic service charges that do not change depending on your usage. Variable costs, on the other hand, are usage-based charges like gas, electricity, and water. Calculating your fixed costs is easy; the hard thing is calculating the usage-based ones. Look at the highest amount you spend on those bills and try to match it every month when you budget.
After you get a grasp of your monthly costs for utilities, try to set an amount that you need to pay them every month. Consider your income, financial obligations like debts, and saving goals. Determine how much you can spend on utilities each month without straining your economy. It is not a good idea to underestimate your spending when doing such calculations. It is a little bit better to allocate more than you actually spend. You can save the difference somewhere.
Just try to remember that budgeting for utilities is a process. Keep an eye on your actual expenses and try to compare them to your budget. If you exceed your budget, like, all the time, try to identify areas where you can save money by reducing usage. Using energy-saving appliances, adjusting your thermostat, and practicing water conservation are several options you can think about when reducing your utility bills.
Personally, I usually turn down my thermostat a notch and wear thicker clothes at home. To reduce water consumption, I use my dishwasher. I usually wash all of my clothes at the same time instead of using the washing machine for a couple of pieces of clothing. There might be some areas that you are unable to reduce consumption. In that case, you can find a couple of cost-effective alternatives.
Final Words
As you can see, budgeting is not rocket science. Understanding your expenses is the key. Set realistic targets and actively track your expenditure, and you’ll realize that you are doing great in managing your utility costs. The next thing you know is that you can spend more money on things that you actually want.