Tips for Zero-Based Budgeting
Assigning every rupee a job: a powerful approach to financial control.
Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) is a budgeting method where all expenses must be justified for each new period. Every rupee of your income is assigned a "job" – whether it's for expenses, savings, or debt repayment – until your income minus your expenses equals zero.
How to Implement ZBB:
- **List All Income:** Start by listing your total income for the month.
- **Categorize Every Expense:** Go through all your expenses, both fixed (rent, EMIs) and variable (food, entertainment). Don't forget irregular expenses like annual subscriptions; set aside a monthly amount for them.
- **Assign Every Rupee:** Allocate your income to these categories until your income minus your expenses equals zero. This means every rupee has a purpose.
- **Track and Adjust:** Regularly track your spending against your budget and make adjustments as needed. ZBB requires active management.
ZBB can be highly effective for gaining complete control over your money and identifying areas where you can save more. For general budgeting tools, you can also refer to our Budget Calculator. For broader financial news and market insights, consider resources like Moneycontrol.