Hello Friends, I have been working since I was young, and I’m going into my last semester of college. I will start working full time as an HVAC tech, earning $25 an hour with around 50-hour weeks and side work on most weekends. What do you guys have for budgeting? I have already started putting money into a Roth IRA, and my company contributes as well. I also want to start setting money aside for a truck, some big-ticket tools, and land later down the road. I was just wondering if you guys recommend any apps or other budgeting methods. Thank you all.
Try Fina Money. It lets you set goals for things like your truck and tools, and it helps you keep track of where your money’s going. It’s super simple to use and could really help you stay organized as you save up for those big purchases.
@Sage
How does Fina Money actually work? I’ve never heard of it before.
Harley said:
@Sage
How does Fina Money actually work? I’ve never heard of it before.
It allows you to create specific savings goals and tracks your spending in different categories. You can see how close you are to your goals, which is motivating.
You might also want to check out YNAB (You Need A Budget). It’s great for managing expenses and helps you prioritize saving for big purchases.
Blair said:
You might also want to check out YNAB (You Need A Budget). It’s great for managing expenses and helps you prioritize saving for big purchases.
Is YNAB easy to use for someone just starting out with budgeting? I’m a bit intimidated by apps.
@Sky
Absolutely! They have a lot of tutorials, and once you get the hang of it, it becomes really intuitive. It’s all about giving every dollar a job.
I’ve been using a simple spreadsheet to track my income and expenses. It’s not fancy, but it works for me. You can customize it however you want.
JamesHenry said:
I’ve been using a simple spreadsheet to track my income and expenses. It’s not fancy, but it works for me. You can customize it however you want.
How do you keep up with it? I worry I’d forget to update it regularly.
@Rowan
I set reminders on my phone to check in every week. It helps me stay on top of things and adjust if needed.
Saving for big purchases like a truck is smart. Have you thought about setting up a separate savings account just for that?
Kiran said:
Saving for big purchases like a truck is smart. Have you thought about setting up a separate savings account just for that?
I have considered it. It might help me stay focused on my goals without mixing it with my regular spending.
Congrats on the new job! Starting a Roth IRA is a great step too. Just make sure to keep track of your contributions.