Knowledge Center

Move closer to financial peace of mind.

Consistently tracking your money with a personal budget can reduce stress and increase quality of life by helping you:

• Save—and spend—with confidence. A budget gives you a clear picture of what you have coming in and going out. What’s even more exciting is you’ll know how much you’ll have left over for your near-term wants and long-term goals—and be able to enjoy life without the question of “can I afford this?” hanging over your head.

• Prepare for the unexpected. When you stick to your budget, you’re prepared when unexpected expenses arise because you’ve already put aside money in your emergency fund.

• Make the most of your time. Creating a budget—and taking a few minutes each month to maintain it—means less time spent worrying about money and more time enjoying the people and experiences you love.

Remember, budgeting isn’t about making big life changes overnight. It’s about forming small, consistent, healthy financial habits that make a big difference over time.

Here are resources to help you create, update, and track your budget.

1. Get started:
   • Learn about what to consider when creating a budget. If you're retired, read how to think about budgeting in retirement.
   • Review your current expenses before creating your budget so you can set realistic targets for yourself.
   • If you’re managing debt, use Fidelity’s debt activity worksheet to help you work debt repayment into your budget.
2. Create your budget:
   • Fill out Fidelity’s easy budget worksheet.
3. Stay on track:
   • Life changes and so do your income and expenses. Make sure to update your budget throughout the year. You can use RPB’s custom budget tracker.

Looking for more guidance?

Watch Fidelity's live or on-demand workshops:

Live 30-Minute Workshop: Create a Budget and Build Emergency Savings

Log in to NetBenefits after you click register.

On-demand Workshops:

• Create a Budget

• Build Emergency Savings

• Take Control of Your Debt

Congratulations! By reading this article, you’ve already taken an important step towards greater financial freedom.