To begin, it’s important to get insight into how much money you earn and spend. That’s why it’s a good idea to first read this article about creating a financial overview.
How much, and for what do you want to save? Whatever your answer is, it’s always wise to set aside part of your income. A common guideline is to save 10–20% of your income. That may not always be possible, but every little bit helps. If you’re able to save that amount, consider creating two savings goals: one for emergencies, and one for more enjoyable things.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Better planning is half the work","richBody":{"value":"Your financial overview shows what you’ve spent over the past few months, broken down by category. Now it’s time to decide whether you want to keep spending your money this way. Do you rather choose a shared scooter every day, or a festival in the summer? A financial buffer instead of food delivery meals? Budgeting helps you make conscious choices.
Budgeting can feel really helpful, but don’t make it harder than it needs to be. It’s perfectly okay to spend money on things that make you happy. Also keep in mind that some months are simply more expensive than others. That’s why it’s important to build a buffer and regularly review your spending habits.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Budgeting in the ING App","richBody":{"value":"The Budgets feature in our app helps you set budgets for different spending categories and shows you how much you still have left to spend after each purchase. You can find Budgets by following these steps:
Open your ING App and go to the Insight tab
Tap ‘Set a budget’ and choose a spending category
Enter a maximum amount and tap ‘Set’
Do you want to start planning your money, but could you use some extra support? Schedule a free Insight conversation session with a financial coach.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"This question is part of the content series Your money, your choice. You can find the episode about budgeting here.
"}}]}}}