For many, tax season magnifies stress levels while revealing the reality of one’s financial situation. This emotional impact shapes family arguments, control, fear, imbalance, on many parts of life.

Responding with a plan starts with a budget.

INCOME: Household Monthly $
(take home after tax)

EXPENSES:
Housing:
Rent/Mortgage, Gas, Oil, Electric, Cable/Internet, $
Water, Real Estate Taxes, Homeowners/Renters
Insurance, Home Repairs / Projects

Loans/Debt:
Credit cards, Auto, Student, Personal loan, $
Medical bills, Add'l mortgage

Transportation: $
Auto Insurance, Gas, Maintenance
Subway/Bus pass, Uber/Lift

Food: $
Groceries, Restaurants/Bars, Coffee

Personal: $
Mobile phone, Medical/Health costs,
Streaming (movies, music, news…..)
Gym, Clothing, Misc/Fun money
Life insurance

Kids:
Diapers, Daycare, Tuition, Babysitter /Nanny $

Charitable Giving: $
Church/Temple/Mosque, Food bank/Pantries,
Organizations

Investments:
After tax stocks, mutual funds, roth ira’s….. $
(this is separate from money withdrawn from
your paycheck)

Any add’l monthly expense: $

INCOME
-_EXPENSES
NET INCOME

If there’s money left over, think about putting towards debt and building an emergency fund.
If there’s a negative balance, think about getting some help with ideas to balance your budget.