What does budgeting mean?
Think about the last $100 that you spent. Where did it go? Did it stretch as far as you thought it would? Budgeting means reflecting on your spending habits, learning how to balance your finances, and managing your spending.
Put simply, a budget is a list of your total income compared to your total expenses over a fixed period of time, such as a school term, a month, or a year.
Reasons to budget
The little things can make a difference. For example, if you buy a regular latte each day from Monday to Friday, you’ll spend more than $1,000 over the school year. Budgeting allows you to recognize the small ways you may be spending much more than you realize.
Plan your finances by checking your undergraduate tuition fees and using the cost calculator, which is based on a first-year student course load.
How to budget
Deciding that you want to budget is the first step you can take towards managing your finances. Follow the steps below to get you started on your budgeting journey.
Step 1. Download the Spending Plan Template
Download the Spending Plan Template (Excel) to track your budget. This template will automatically update your monthly balance as you input your income and expenses.
Step 2. Determine your income
First, calculate your total income. When creating your budget, make sure to include all sources of income. Be as accurate as you can, such as deducting taxes from your payroll figures.
Consider both repayable and non-repayable sources of income. Repayable sources of income refer to money you’ll have to pay back, while non-repayable sources of income do not need to be repaid.
On the spreadsheet, input this information in the “Income/Resources” table.
| Type of income | Examples |
|---|---|
| Repayable income |
|
| Non-repayable income |
|
Step 3. List all your fixed expenses
Fixed expenses are those that you expect on a regular schedule, such as:
- Rent payments
- Tuition and student fees
- Utilities and bills (e.g., internet, phone)
- Gym or other membership fees
- Subscriptions
On the spreadsheet, input this information in the “Expenses” table.
Step 4. List all your variable expenses
Variable expenses are all the other things you purchase that do not occur regularly. These expenses can be essential, but they may still change month to month.
Variable expenses can include:
- Groceries and snacks
- Entertainment
- Travelling
- Clothes, shopping, and personal care
On the spreadsheet, input this information in the “Expenses” table.
Step 5. Compare your income and expenses
Review the “Monthly Balance” row on the spreadsheet.
If you have more income than expenses, congratulations! Your budget is balanced and you can consider putting some of your extra money into savings.
If your income and your expenses are equal, consider some ways to give yourself a little breathing room. You can do this by either lowering your expenses, increasing your income, or both.
If your income is less than your expenses, it is time to re-balance your budget. That means increasing your income or decreasing your expenses. There are many resources you can access for help. Reach out and make a plan for your finances.
Step 6. Balance your budget
Whenever possible, your expenses should not exceed your income. There are 2 ways to balance your budget:
- Increase your income by applying for a student loan, working part-time, starting a side gig based on your skillset, and applying for awards.
- Decrease your expenses by cutting unnecessary spending, purchasing used or discount items, or consolidating loans while paying off higher interest amounts first.
Another way to balance your budget is to make a strict spending plan for the month, then compare your expenses at the end of the month with your plan. Were you exactly right with your numbers? Did you underestimate or overestimate in some areas? You can learn from your current situation and make a more accurate budget for the next month. This approach helps you think about your expenses, but also identifies exactly what your costs are rather than guessing each month.
Even small changes can have a big impact, especially over time. Balancing your budget allows you to plan for emergencies and any unexpected fees or expenses.
Plan for success
Beyond the considerations above, there are additional steps you can take towards financial success:
- Set 3 goals for balancing your budget and including specific actions to achieve those goals.
- Create your own personal budget and keep track of your numbers for a month. Estimate how much you will have left in your savings at the end of the month, then compare this with your actual bank account balance. Repeat the process for the next month.
- Review your monthly budget and identify your top 3 spending weaknesses.
- Give yourself a specific amount of cash for the next 2 weeks to spend on variable expenses and stick to that amount.
Additional resources
If you have questions
If you’re an undergraduate student, please contact your Enrolment Services Advisor directly.
Graduate, postgraduate, and all other students can contact an Enrolment Services Advisor by calling 604 822 9836 or submitting a question through the online form.