Identify how much you would like to save in your retirement accounts (401k, IRA, etc.) and how much you would like to save to invest in other investment vehicles (stocks, bonds, etc.) per month. Then create a monthly budget that reflects your savings goals in an Excel sheet. You should make the budget as detailed as possible. Group your spending into fixed and variable spending and be specific.

Your sheet should include the following sections

• Income
• Spending Goals
  • Fixed (ie - Rent, Netflix, Car Payment...things that do not change month to month)
  • Variable (things that do change month to month. This is usually the easiest place to cut costs)
• Savings/Investing Goals (and where you want to invest)

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