Ten good reasons to budget

Here are ten reasons that make sticking to a budget worthwhile.

1. A budget lets you control your money instead of your money controlling you. Sticking to a budget will make it easy for you to see whether or not you're living within your means (which can stop you getting into debt before you start!)
2. A budget provides a means to help you achieve your goals, as it enables you to save money towards them
3. Following a realistic budget enables you to free up spare cash so that you can spend your money on the things that you really want, instead of finding yourself wondering where on earth all your money went!
4. A budget can help your whole family work towards common goals
5. A budget is a great tool to ensure that you're always prepared for emergencies or large or unanticipated expenses that otherwise could spell financial disaster.
6. Because a budget is not just a spending plan, but a communication tool, it can actually improve your marriage. If a budget is done right, it can bring the two of you closer together by helping you to identify and work towards common goals and reduce arguments about money.
7. A budget is great for revealing areas where you might be spending too much money. If you're aware of these, you can refocus on the goals that mean the most to you.
8. A budget can keep you out of debt or help you get out of debt.
9. Rather than being restrictive or limiting your money, a budget actually creates extra money for you to use on things that matter to you
10. Finally, a budget helps you sleep better at night because you don't lie awake worrying about how you're going to make ends meet (and there's nothing worse than sleepless nights spent fretting about money – or lack of it!)