One of the best life lessons you can teach your children is how to manage money properly. So why not bring them into the equation from a young age?
One of the best life lessons you can teach your children is how to manage money properly. So why not bring them into the equation from a young age?
Alfred Ramosedi, African Bank Group Executive: Sales and Marketing, says learning how to budget properly and sticking to a budget is a discipline that everyone should learn.
“A budget should make provision for the here and now, but also include room for future goals like retirement or education. How well you manage your money and payments now will determine your future financial well-being.
The younger people are when they learn this principle, the more likely they are to attain their financial goals,” he says.
The first step is drawing up a budget. “The best way to do this is to sit around a table and get all family members to think about their monthly expenses. Make it a fun exercise.
For the kids this could include things like stationery, school trips, sports equipment, school lunches, tuck shop money, outings and so on,” says Ramosedi.
For the adults, remember to include quarterly and annual expenses as well as daily cash spending. Include any policies such as retirement annuities, disability funds, medical aids and so on.
Lastly make a list of all your debt repayments.
Once a list of expenses has been drawn up start working on an income list. Use current figures from latest payslips, bills and bank statements. Remember to include any additional income that you will be receiving for example, grants, incentives, bonuses or part time income, etc.
“Only add the additional income into your budget when you are sure of the exact amount that you will be receiving,” he adds.
Kids should also think about what income they receive.
“This could include pocket money, monetary gifts, cash received from doing chores and so on. Teach them how to add up their income and then speak to them about what they would like to spend it on.
It’s a great opportunity to encourage saving and the concept of financial goal setting as they may need to save up for a special new toy or a fun activity,” advises Ramosedi.
Take your expenses and debt repayments and deduct these from your income to get an idea of what you have left over at the end of the month or if there is a shortfall.
If you have a shortfall on your budget, in other words, you don't have money left at month end, Ramosedi recommends cutting back on luxury items that you don't need. “If you have additional income use it to try and pay off debt. Start with the credit with highest interest rate.”
Financial goal setting is then the next step. “Make a list of your short- and long-term goals, and know what they are. Think about things like growing your family, education, planning for holidays, savings needs, upgrading your assets and standard of living, and retirement and funeral cover needs.
Determine when you want to reach your goals and how long you will need to save for those goals,” he says.
He highly recommends including your family in your goal setting plan so that you can work together to reach those goals.
“Remember goals will only be reached if you make them part of your budget and saving plans. Every member needs to be committed and realise that they too will benefit from achieving the goals.”
Make sure your goals are realistic, achievable and measurable. “If you aim too high, you may get de-motivated and you will not be able to exercise the monthly discipline you need to get there.
When setting your goals, also take into consideration your family's needs and think carefully about these. For example, you should not buy a new car if school fees are not being paid. Goal setting can only be successful if you understand how to set your goals and then how to achieve them,” says Ramosedi.
“Remember to reward yourself when you see improvements and good financial behaviours. Celebrate as a family when goals are achieved.
This should include the smallest goals, such as saving up enough pocket money to buy a new bike, to much bigger goals like paying off your home loan. It’s a great way to bring the family together and to share financial responsibility.
So don’t wait, get a budget going and start making your family financial goals a reality,” concluded Ramosedi.
