Good Evening Everyone, I'm posting a copy of the monthly budget template I use to both set budgets for our household and also track actual expenditure during the month. Down the bottom it has an excellent guide for how much certain portions of your budget should be as a guide. All circumstances vary but it will give you an idea what you could aim for or what you might have to sacrifice in order to further certain goals you might have. I'll post more information shortly on how to use it. In the meantime, you'll want to populate the blue fields. Input your wage data (on a monthly basis). Then set a budget for the current month for each column. Then start inputting your expenses from your bank statements and credit cards. The first month is likely to be a bit of a wake up call for what you spend on certain things. I'll be posting our system late this week for how to manage infrequent but large expenses (rates, insurance, car registrations etc).

The Blueprint This is the basic pattern I use to build my wealth and grow my net worth. It’s both the process and some guiding principles I use to determine when it is time to adjust something. You could be anywhere along the path, I hope this will help you reach the next stage in your wealth building journey. Over time I’ll document each of these steps in greater detail. Basic Disclaimer: I’m an Accountant and CFO, not a licensed financial planner. This is about how to handle your money and not intended as specific product advice (what you should invest your money in) for an individual. Here we go! The basic steps are: - Earn Money - Manage Money (actively) - Invest For The Future You’re probably thinking…thank you captain obvious, I’m very aware of those. You’re right, most people are aware of them, they just don’t do them. At least not in an active, consistent, intentional way. Being aware of them won’t change your financial situation, only doing them will. For example, I’m aware that my wife was in the gym at 4:00am this morning. Strangely my six pack just isn’t quite popping yet. Last but not least, your mindset matters here. Many people abdicate (or abandon) financial accountability because they feel it is beyond their control. There are certainly external factors, but all three of these basic steps are impacted by your choices. You can make choices that: 1) Improve or reduce your ability to earn money. 2) Actively manage or completely neglect the money you are earning. 3) Budget for future investment, or ensure there is never money left over to do anything. Earning Money You can’t handle what you don’t have. You need a source of revenue. You can choose from: - Job (Employment). - Business (your own). - Investments. A job is an easier starting point than a business, and investments are impossible until you’re earning money. Most people progress down this list. Starting in a job, then perhaps opening a business, then buying investments.