{"id":1045,"date":"2021-05-11T19:27:18","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T19:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/building-a-realistic-budget\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T17:09:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T17:09:45","slug":"building-a-realistic-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/building-a-realistic-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Building A Realistic Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<article class=\"wp-block-group alignfull p-post-single is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<header class=\"wp-block-group alignfull p-post-single-hero is-style-theme-subtle-light has-backgrounds-subtle-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer is-style-spacing-80\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center l-container is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-column-is-layout-1f86b309 wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-single-hero__content has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-a4fd459e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"text-transform:uppercase; margin-top:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);\" class=\"theme-color-secondary t-date wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2021-05-11T19:27:18+00:00\">May, 2021<\/time><\/div>\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-display-x-large-font-size\">Building A Realistic Budget<\/h1>\n\n<div style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:0\" class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/category\/budgeting\/\" rel=\"tag\" class=\"cat-item\"><i class=\"cat-item__color cat-item__color--green\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span class=\"cat-item__label\">Budgeting<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-column-is-layout-a209ae40 wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-single-hero__media has-global-padding is-content-justification-center is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-587a7eb1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><figure style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"is-style-image-featured s-aspect-ratio-1-1 wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/building-a-realistic-budget.jpg?w=1000\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/building-a-realistic-budget.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/building-a-realistic-budget.jpg?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/building-a-realistic-budget.jpg?resize=768,384 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer is-style-spacing-80\"><\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-single-body has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer is-style-spacing-80\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re living paycheck to paycheck like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.magnifymoney.com\/blog\/news\/paycheck-survey\/\">many Americans<\/a>, budgeting can be incredibly difficult. After all, how can you create a successful budget when you\u2019re struggling just to pay your basic bills?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are lots of ways to trim back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/budgeting-for-beginners-how-to-get-started\">your budget<\/a> so you can breathe a little more easily month-to-month. In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at how to build a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdwallet.com\/blog\/finance\/budgeting-tips\/\">practical budget<\/a> that fits with your income, family and lifestyle \u2013 and hopefully takes some of the pressure off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cut-back-on-food-expenses\">Cut Back on Food Expenses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re trying to save money, generally the first thing to decrease is eating at restaurants. And with good reason! The average American household spends about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneyunder30.com\/the-true-cost-of-eating-in-restaurants-and-how-to-save\">$3,000 per year <\/a>dining out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of letting that money go to waste, use online resources to help you create a cheap and easy meal plan. Plan out all your meals for each week, pack your lunches and avoid the drive-through like the plague. By purchasing groceries and ingredients instead of eating out, you\u2019ll spend only a few dollars per person per meal and put some of that $3,000 right back into your own pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-check-your-subscriptions\">Check Your Subscriptions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to let a free trial turn into a monthly subscription \u2013 and they add up quickly! Even if you\u2019re only paying $9.99 per month for your gym, if you\u2019re not using the membership then you\u2019re losing almost $120 per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tally up all your subscriptions from streaming services, gyms, apps and other sources. See which ones you can live without and then cancel them. You\u2019ll be surprised how much this small adjustment frees up your budget!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-shop-around-for-better-service-providers\">Shop Around for Better Service Providers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s not much negotiation when it comes to utility bills and rent payments. However, with services like insurance, phone and internet providers, you have options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your insurance and other service provider fees are stacking up, it may be time to shop around for new providers. Phone and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reviews.com\/utilities\/internet\/best-cheap\/\">internet service providers<\/a> especially are constantly trying to undercut the competition, so use that to your advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for your car insurance, call your current provider and ask if you\u2019re eligible for any discounts. If not, spend some time comparing rates and coverage online to see where you can get a better price that fits your monthly budget.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-be-conscious-of-utility-use\">Be Conscious of Utility Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our dads may just have been on to something all those years they told us not to touch the thermostat. Keeping your house a little cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer will do wonders for your electric bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifesavvy.com\/8544\/does-unplugging-your-electronics-really-save-money\/\">little things like unplugging electronics<\/a> that aren\u2019t in use and washing clothes in cold water conserve energy. Not only will you save money, but you\u2019ll be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smallfootprintfamily.com\/how-to-save-money-by-going-green\">environmentally-conscious<\/a> as well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-track-your-spending\">Track Your Spending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The key to effective, realistic budgeting is sticking to it. Once you have a hard-and-fast budget planned out, keep track of everything you spend so that you can be sure you\u2019re not going over budget in any area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may even think about keeping a running tally in your phone of all your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/tips-to-cut-excess-spending\">expenses and spending<\/a> for each week. Then check in at the end of the week and anything extra you didn\u2019t spend can be rolled over into next week\u2019s budget or put straight into your savings account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-plan-to-save-up-for-large-purchases\">Plan to Save Up for Large Purchases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Need a new vehicle? Hoping to land a bigger TV? These types of big purchases are often made impulsively, but you can help your budget by saving up for them instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you finance big purchases, you do get the immediate gratification, but you\u2019re also stuck with a monthly bill plus interest. If it\u2019s at all possible to wait, save up for your bigger items by setting money aside each month and then buying them outright once you\u2019ve saved enough. This way you avoid paying extra in interest and getting bogged down in yet more monthly bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-take-advantage-of-online-payday-loans\">Take Advantage of Online Payday Loans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re in a tight spot and cutting back simply isn\u2019t doing the trick, there are still options available.&nbsp; With LendNation, you can get an online payday loan to get you through that end-of-the-month stress and get your budget back on track without ever leaving your house. LendNation not only offers a variety of flexible loans, but also provides in-store and online options so you get the cash you need in the most convenient way possible. Get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/\">more information<\/a> on LendNation title loans, installment loans and payday loans online. Then find a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/location\/search\">location near you<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/MyAccount\/#!\/registration\">apply online<\/a> today and ease your budgeting woes!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group p-post-single-related has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-07747ed5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80)\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\"\/>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-latest-posts-columns is-style-default is-layout-flow\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t<ul class=\"is-flex-container columns-2 wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-post post-11555 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-budgeting tag-budget-tips tag-emergency-fund tag-financial-planning tag-flexible-payment-options tag-instant-debit-card-funding tag-large-expense-planning tag-paycheck-budgeting tag-saving-strategies tag-short-term-savings tag-sinking-fund\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-highlight is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-highlight__inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-highlight__content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h3 style=\"margin-top:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title has-display-x-small-font-size\">How to Save for Big Expenses Without Breaking Your Budget<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category u-visually-hidden wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/category\/budgeting\/\" rel=\"tag\" class=\"cat-item\"><i class=\"cat-item__color cat-item__color--green\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span class=\"cat-item__label\">Budgeting<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"t-date wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-20T21:43:31+00:00\">March, 2026<\/time><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"p-post-highlight__media s-aspect-ratio-4-5 wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Person reviewing budget plan for saving toward big expenses on a smart phone\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg 5472w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shutterstock_360221423.jpg?resize=1619,1080 1619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\n\t<p class=\"a-hidden-link-cover wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/how-to-save-for-big-expenses-without-breaking-your-budget\/\" target=\"_self\" >How to Save for Big Expenses Without Breaking Your Budget<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-post post-7175 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-budgeting\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-highlight is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-highlight__inner is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-group p-post-highlight__content is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h3 style=\"margin-top:0;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title has-display-x-small-font-size\">Create Your Budget to Have a Fun Summer<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category u-visually-hidden wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/category\/budgeting\/\" rel=\"tag\" class=\"cat-item\"><i class=\"cat-item__color cat-item__color--green\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span class=\"cat-item__label\">Budgeting<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t<div style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0;\" class=\"t-date wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2025-05-19T10:00:00+00:00\">May, 2025<\/time><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<figure class=\"p-post-highlight__media s-aspect-ratio-4-5 wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"How to have fun this summer with budget-friendly summer activities\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg 5558w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?resize=768,513 768w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?resize=1024,684 1024w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?resize=2048,1367 2048w, https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/shutterstock_1666540216_6975af.jpg?resize=1619,1080 1619w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\n\t<p class=\"a-hidden-link-cover wp-block-post-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/article\/create-your-budget-to-have-a-fun-summer\/\" target=\"_self\" >Create Your Budget to Have a Fun Summer<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-62083a6e wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-tertiary\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lendnation.com\/blog\/\">Visit Blog\n\t\t\t                                                                                                  Homepage<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A realistic, practical way to create a budget is key when money is tight. LendNation is here to provide the best tips &#038; tricks for building a realistic budget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1046,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[42,56],"class_list":["post-1045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-budgeting","tag-cash-advance","tag-online-payday-loans"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Building A Realistic Budget - LendNation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A realistic, practical way to create a budget is key when money is tight. 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