Building a Budget in the New Year
Building a budget is an essential part of taking control of your finances. It helps you decide what to do with your money and ensures you live within your means. Creating and sticking to a budget doesn’t have to be complicated – it just takes commitment, dedication, and the willingness to make intelligent financial decisions. Here are 4 simple steps toward building a budget that works for you!
Building a budget is an essential part of taking control of your finances. It helps you decide what to do with your money and ensures you live within your means. Creating and sticking to a budget doesn’t have to be complicated – it just takes commitment, dedication, and the willingness to make intelligent financial decisions. Here are 4 simple steps toward building a budget that works for you!
1. Know your income
The first step to creating a budget is knowing how much money you have coming in each month. This includes your net salary, any side hustle income, child support or alimony payments, and any other sources of income. Once you know your total monthly income, you can start figuring out how much you can realistically afford to spend.
2. Know your expenses
The next step is to track your spending for at least three months, so you have a good idea of where your money goes. This includes fixed expenses like rent or mortgage and car payments, and variable expenses like utilities, groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Once you know your average monthly expenses, you can start figuring out where you can cut back to save money if you need to.
3. Make a plan
Once you know your income and expenses, it’s time to make a plan for how you will use your money each month. This includes setting aside money for savings, debt repayment, and even investing! Your plan should also focus on a realistic spending strategy for your day-to-day needs. When creating your budget, include a buffer for unexpected expenses so that you don’t get derailed if something comes up.
4. Stick to it!
The final step is to stick to your budget! This means being mindful of your spending and making choices that align with your financial goals. If you struggle to stick to a budget, you can do a few things to make it easier.
Try automating your finances, so you don’t have to think about it as much.
Consider using cash only for specific categories so that you are more aware of what you are spending.
Give yourself some wiggle room in your budget so you don’t feel too restricted.
You’ve done it! Now that you have a budget in place, you are on your way to conquering your finances. While budgets aren’t the most exciting thing in the world, they are essential when taking control of your money. Use your budget as a tool to take the guesswork out of saving, spending, and investing for your future. With a little preparation and a lot of discipline, you could be on your way to financial freedom.
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Legal
Developers
Unless indicated differently, data is as of 03/31/2025.
*Disclosures
Beanstox does not provide tax, legal, accounting, budgeting, credit score, or banking advice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute such advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal tax, legal, and accounting professionals for specific guidance.
Beanstox has partnered with April Tax Solutions Inc. to offer helpful tax-related tools to Beanstox Clients. Beanstox does not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for additional information regarding tax matters. April Tax Solutions Inc. is a third-party service provider and is not affiliated with Beanstox.
* Open a Traditional IRA with Beanstox and boost your federal tax refund by up to $22 for every $100 you contribute by April 15, 2025 (or up to $1,540 assuming 22% on the maximum contribution of $7,000). Then file your taxes effortlessly with the easy-to-use tax tool powered by april and claim the IRA deduction.
ᶿ Maximum refund guarantee is provided by April Tax Solutions Inc.. If you use april's service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws.
If April Tax Solutions Inc.'s tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, April Tax Solutions Inc. will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000.
1. Pricing: Learn About Pricing.
2. Power Savings: As of March 31, 2025: traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.41% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 4.21% (YCharts); 4.4% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF’s expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors.
3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of March 31, 2025, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 10% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.
4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1 million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 8% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.
5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
6. App store rating is as of 03/31/2025, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store.
New Products: We are excited about the development of new products, although there are no assurances that these products will be implemented or offered to Beanstox App users, or that final details on how the products will be offered will not differ from those currently contemplated.
Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.
All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.
© 2025 Beanstox Inc.
Copyright © 2025 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved
Legal
Developers
Unless indicated differently, data is as of 03/31/2025.
*Disclosures
Beanstox does not provide tax, legal, accounting, budgeting, credit score, or banking advice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute such advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal tax, legal, and accounting professionals for specific guidance.
Beanstox has partnered with April Tax Solutions Inc. to offer helpful tax-related tools to Beanstox Clients. Beanstox does not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for additional information regarding tax matters. April Tax Solutions Inc. is a third-party service provider and is not affiliated with Beanstox.
* Open a Traditional IRA with Beanstox and boost your federal tax refund by up to $22 for every $100 you contribute by April 15, 2025 (or up to $1,540 assuming 22% on the maximum contribution of $7,000). Then file your taxes effortlessly with the easy-to-use tax tool powered by april and claim the IRA deduction.
ᶿ Maximum refund guarantee is provided by April Tax Solutions Inc.. If you use april's service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws.
If April Tax Solutions Inc.'s tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, April Tax Solutions Inc. will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000.
1. Pricing: Learn About Pricing.
2. Power Savings: As of March 31, 2025: traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.41% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 4.21% (YCharts); 4.4% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF’s expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors.
3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of March 31, 2025, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 10% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.
4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1 million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 8% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.
5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
6. App store rating is as of 03/31/2025, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store.
New Products: We are excited about the development of new products, although there are no assurances that these products will be implemented or offered to Beanstox App users, or that final details on how the products will be offered will not differ from those currently contemplated.
Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.
All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.
© 2025 Beanstox Inc.
Copyright © 2025 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved
Legal
Developers
Unless indicated differently, data is as of 03/31/2025.
*Disclosures
Beanstox does not provide tax, legal, accounting, budgeting, credit score, or banking advice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute such advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with their personal tax, legal, and accounting professionals for specific guidance.
Beanstox has partnered with April Tax Solutions Inc. to offer helpful tax-related tools to Beanstox Clients. Beanstox does not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for additional information regarding tax matters. April Tax Solutions Inc. is a third-party service provider and is not affiliated with Beanstox.
* Open a Traditional IRA with Beanstox and boost your federal tax refund by up to $22 for every $100 you contribute by April 15, 2025 (or up to $1,540 assuming 22% on the maximum contribution of $7,000). Then file your taxes effortlessly with the easy-to-use tax tool powered by april and claim the IRA deduction.
ᶿ Maximum refund guarantee is provided by April Tax Solutions Inc.. If you use april's service to prepare and file your return and you find an error in the tax preparation that entitles you to a larger refund (or smaller liability), you may use their service to amend that return at no additional charge. To qualify, the larger refund or smaller tax liability must not be due to differences or inaccuracies in data supplied by you, your choice not to claim a deduction or credit, positions taken on your return that are contrary to law, or changes in federal or state tax laws.
If April Tax Solutions Inc.'s tax preparation software makes a mathematical error that results in your payment of a penalty and/or interest to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that you would otherwise not have been required to pay, April Tax Solutions Inc. will reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000.
1. Pricing: Learn About Pricing.
2. Power Savings: As of March 31, 2025: traditional US Savings Account Rate: 0.41% (YCharts); T-Bill yield: 4.21% (YCharts); 4.4% based on the 30-day SEC yield of the Beanstox short-duration bond portfolio ETF constituents; the 30-day SEC yield is a standard metric defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period after the deduction of the ETF’s expenses. There are no assurances that this yield will be sustainable in the future. This product invests in one or more ETFs. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors.
3. Stocks 500: Where applicable, as of March 31, 2025, S&P 500 return assumes an initial $1,000 investment, 40-year annualized return of 10% (Source: Bloomberg Finance LP). It is not possible to invest directly in an index. This product invests in an ETF aiming to track the S&P 500’s performance. Results may vary due to expenses and other factors. Returns before ETF fees. Diversification is not a guarantee of profit or protection against loss.
4. Wealth Builder: Saving $400/month over 40 years, but not investing and assuming no interest accrual, would accumulate $192,000; however, investing the same $400/month, could add up to over $1 million over the same period of time. This projection illustrates a hypothetical example of compounding over time, based on an investment of $400 per month for 40 years with an assumed annualized returns of 8% or more, compounded monthly, assuming the funds stay invested throughout the investment period.
5. All corporate logos are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
6. App store rating is as of 03/31/2025, and is based upon all ratings and reviews received by Apple App Store and Google Play Store (collectively, the “App Stores”) submitted since the Beanstox app was available on each App Store. Current rating can be found on Beanstox’s app preview in each App Store and is subject to change. App Store rating is generally calculated and generated by each App Stores based on the average of all total Beanstox app ratings. No compensation was exchanged for reviews or ratings. Rating may not be representative of the Beanstox client experience, advisory services, or investment performance. For more information, see more reviews at the App Store and Google Play Store.
New Products: We are excited about the development of new products, although there are no assurances that these products will be implemented or offered to Beanstox App users, or that final details on how the products will be offered will not differ from those currently contemplated.
Beanstox Inc. (“Beanstox”) is an SEC registered investment adviser and has arranged for brokerage services to be provided by DriveWealth LLC., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. DriveWealth is not affiliated with Beanstox.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and risk tolerance levels and Beanstox’s charges and expenses. The information provided herein is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice, recommendations or solicitations to hold, buy or sell any investment or security of any kind. Beanstox’s internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving investment goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client’s financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 3 CRS and other disclosures.
All images and return figures shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not actual customer or model returns. Actual returns will vary greatly and depend on personal and market conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google, Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.
Our site uses cookies and other similar technologies so that we can remember you and understand how you and other visitors use our site. Please see Beanstox Privacy Policy for more information.
© 2025 Beanstox Inc.
Copyright © 2025 Beanstox. All Rights Reserved