Budget Project Steps:

Part $1$: Month $1$ Starting Budget Setup

For this project we are doing a $0$ Balance$$ budget. That means for your $$estimated$$ numbers on your starting budget you first come up with your $$estimated income$$ for the month and then divide up that total amount into the various $$estimated expense$$ categories. When you are done, the $$balance$$ on your spreadsheet will be $0($meaning your total estimated income and total expenses match EXACTLY$).$

Refer to the $$sample student starting excel budget spreadsheet$$ provided in the "modules" section of this course to get a feel for what budget items might apply to you. Note, that not all of these categories will apply to you. Notice on the sample that $$estimated$$ income and total $$estimated$$ expenses match exactly. There is a $"0$ balance" in the total box on the spreadsheet.

Download a copy of the $$blank excel budget spreadsheet$$ and save it on your computer. $($Note: The spreadsheet is password protected so you can ONLY type in certain spots on the spreadsheet. If you get a message asking for a password, you are trying to type in the WRONG spot$).$

Type the correct month you are "estimating" for and your name in the spots provided on the spreadsheet before doing anything else.

Think about how much $$income$$ you expect to have for your "household" coming in during the month you are budgeting for and put that total in the $$estimated income$$ spot on the spreadsheet. This can include: paycheck, tips, financial aid, food stamps, child support, tax refund, gifts, etc.

Keeping your overall $$estimated income$$ in mind, go through and fill in the $$projected cost$$ column amounts for any category that applies to your household for the upcoming month. Watch your total $$expense$$ number towards the top of the spreadsheet. Be sure when you are done this number matches exactly with your estimated income number. Do NOT budget to spend more than you have in expected income. If you have extra income, put that extra amount in the $$savings$$ category on the spreadsheet. If you have estimated to have more expenses than income, lower some of your expense categories to adjust. NEVER budget to spend more than you think you will have. Part $1$ Continued: Keep Track of Your Spending During Month $1$

On your own paper or spreadsheet, write down everything you or your household actually spend money on $($cash credit, check$)$ during the month. I recommend you take a minute at the end of each day to write down anything you spent money on that day. You will not need to turn this paper in$,$ but you will need this information to be as accurate as possible so you can complete the $$actual$$ spending part of the spreadsheet at the end of the month. Also, be sure to keep track of your actual income for the month $($including paycheck, tips, financial aid, food stamps, child support, tax refund, gifts, etc.$)"$PLEASE I NEED AN URGENTLY HELP WITH THIS HOMEWORK". Please I NEED ALL DETAIL AND IF YOU CAN WRITE DOWN HOW YOU HAVE DOWN THIS WORK TOO PLEASE.