Page 4 - Desert Lightning News 4-1-16

4 April 1, 2016 Desert Lightning News
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Budget: A friend in disguise?

Staff Sgt. Grace Lee

56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Money — many people use it every A&FRC financial counselors help clients by observing their spending
day, and it may seem to go as quickly as it comes. To ensure money is being which assists them in finding where their money is going.
saved or set aside toward a goal that is beneficial to the earner, creating and
following a budget just might be the answer. “A technique we use for our clients is monitoring their spending. They
write down everything they buy no matter if it’s with cash, debit or credit,”
“A budget is essentially a spending plan,” said Robert Griffin, 56th Force Larson said. “I usually find about 80 percent of that surplus in what they’re
Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center community read- just spending mindlessly. What we do best is keep people accountable to
iness specialist. “It directs your money toward where you want it to go. An the budget they create. We call to ask how they’re doing and schedule fol-
easy way to remember it is, ‘If you don’t tell your money where to go, it will low-up appointments if needed.”
leave on its own.’”
For those unsure about where to start, the financial counselors at
Spending money carelessly is a common pitfall amongst many. the A&FRC are there to help.
“It’s not uncommon that most people don’t know where their money’s
going,” Griffin said. “Typically, I find my clients have a surplus of $600 to “Come see us. We have a comprehensive budget plan and can provide
$1,000 each month, but when I point that out to them, most say they don’t Airmen with free service,” Griffin said. “We can help get you on the right
see how it’s true when they’re broke all the time.” track. It doesn’t matter what rank you are, we can help. Start budgeting
It’s usually in discretionary spending where people go wrong with their now. It will positively impact your financial well-being.”
budgets, Griffin said. Discretionary spending is any extracurricular things
you do, like going to the movies, going out to dinner, going to a coffee shop
or buying snacks from the convenience store.
While everyone has different financial goals, it’s best to start with the
essentials.
“It’s important to budget for your living expenses or the ‘Four Walls’
as we call it, which is your mortgage or rent, utilities, food, and insur-
ance,” Griffin said. “This ensures your basic needs are met before we
move on to how much is going to savings and how much is set aside for
spending.”
After subtracting one’s needs it’s recommended to have a goal in mind.
“Before creating a budget, we recommend creating a goal,” said Senaida
Larson, 56th FSS A&FRC community readiness specialist. “This could be
something as simple as saving $50 a month, spending less on groceries or
putting a down payment on a house. The list goes on. Doing this will moti-
vate you to stick with your budget to reach your goal.”

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