How to make a simple monthly budget in 4 steps
AmanaFi team · Updated · 1 min read
A monthly budget is a written plan that splits your income before the month starts. Four steps are enough: count what comes in, set the fixed costs, cap the variable spending, then set savings aside.
1. Count what really comes in
Add up only the reliable income: net salary, pension, rent actually received. If your income varies, start from the lowest of the last three months. A budget built on hoped-for income breaks in the first week.
2. Set fixed costs, then variable ones
List what is due on a fixed date first, then what is consumed through the month.
- Fixed: rent, any loan, insurance, subscriptions, school fees.
- Variable: groceries, transport, phone, going out, routine health costs.
3. Set savings and giving aside before the rest
Turn savings into a fixed cost: on payday a sum moves aside, including a share of sadaqah if you give. What is left is your margin to live on, not the other way round.
4. Check every week
Ten minutes a week is enough to compare plan and reality. If one line overshoots, adjust another line instead of abandoning the budget.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to make a budget?
Allow an hour the first time to gather your figures, then ten minutes a week to follow it. Regularity matters more than accuracy to the dirham.
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