Your budget isn’t something you can forget about after you create it. Some financial experts recommend reviewing your budget every six months to adjust to the changes in your life that will affect your financial situation. Here are a few factors to consider in creating and re-evaluating a personal or household budget.

Make an Actionable Budget

Your budget won’t do you any good if you can’t stick to it. In creating a personal budget, many people underestimate expenses or envision saving more than they can save. Your budget should be practical, so you will always have an accurate picture of your financial situation. For instance, if you know you can only put away $20 a month, don’t expect to save $50 per month on your budget without cutting expenses.

Adjust for Changes

Any changes in your life should prompt you to adjust your budget to account for the ways those changes will affect your finances. This includes improving your income to consider for a pay raise as well as adding in the expense of a new car loan, or mortgage payment. This will help you keep up with your finances so that you won’t fall behind on monthly bills and debts.

Account for Major Expenses

You should expect to face at least one significant expense every year, although you’ll likely face multiple situations that will require substantial sums of money. Some of these expenses include an annual vacation, auto repairs, medical care costs, or buying new household appliances. For this reason, putting something away in a savings account each month is necessary. Some financial consultants recommend putting away a portion of your income each pay period in an interest-bearing account. This can help you remain prepared for any unexpected expenses that may come your way.

Revisiting your budget regularly can help you meet all of your financial obligations month to month, while also helping you save for future expenses. Once you have some money saved, you may even want to consult an investment advisor to help you grow your savings even more. Building a budget is the first step in creating a robust financial strategy, so creating a workable budget will help you attain more excellent financial stability.