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No matter which pathway you decide to take, making a budget is always a good place to start.

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Why make a budget

A budget is a plan that helps you manage your money. It helps you figure out how much money you get, spend and save. Making a budget can help you balance your income with your savings and expenses. It guides your spending to help you reach your financial goals.

A budget is especially important if you:

don't know where your money is going

don't save regularly

have problems paying off your debts

feel overwhelmed by your finances

feel like you're not in control of your finances

want to make the most of your money

are planning for a major purchase or a life event

Making a budget can help you:

set spending limits

find ways to pay down your debts

reduce costs and save more

live within your means

reduce financial stress

have more money for things that are important to you

feel in control of your finances

What to consider before you make a budget

Take these simple steps before you make your budget.

Think about your financial goals

Identify your short-term and long-term goals. Make saving for those goals part of your budget.

For example, goals may be:

Short-term goals:

paying off your credit card

reducing your weekly expenses

starting to build an emergency fund

Long-term goals:

paying off all of your debts

saving to buy a home or a car

saving to have children, to go to school or to retire

To deal with unexpected situations, create an emergency fund. Your emergency fund should provide you with enough money to cover your living expenses for 3 to 6 months. These amounts can sometimes seem out of reach. That is why you should start by saving a small amount on a regular basis.

Having an emergency fund will help you reduce financial stress and avoid getting trapped in a debt cycle.
Learn how to set up an emergency fund.
Know where your money is going

Tracking your money will help you figure out what comes in and what goes out of your pocket. Every dollar you spend affects your overall budget.

For example, if you spend $3 a day on coffee, it will cost you more than $1,000 a year.

To keep track of where your money is going, take note of what you spend.

Try this exercise for 1 or 2 months:

keep track of everything you buy, from groceries to a daily cup of coffee

keep track of bills you pay during this period, for example your telephone or internet bill

try dividing your expenses into 2 categories: "needs" and "wants"

Small changes to spending habits can have a major impact on your budget and your ability to save.
Find ways to save money before shopping.
Evaluate your needs and wants

Knowing the difference between your needs and your wants is key to making a smart budget.

A "need" is something that is necessary, required or essential. For example, a roof over your head, clothing, food, or medication.

A "want" is something that you'd like, but don't necessarily need. For example, meals at a restaurant, a trip, a gym membership, or designer shoes.

Needs and wants aren't the same for everyone. One person's "want" may be another person's "need". For example, if you live near a bus route, a car may be a want rather than a need. However, if you don't have access to public transit and can't move around otherwise, you may need a car.

Your needs and wants may also change over time. For example, a large house may be a need while you're raising a family. However, a condo or a smaller home may be what you need when your children move out.

Once you've figured out your needs and wants, you're ready to make your budget.

How to make a budget

In order to make a useful budget you need an effective tool that is easy to use.

The Budget Planner is a tool that allows you to create a personalized budget and save it online. It gives you tips and guidelines and helps you figure out your next steps with suggestions. It also creates charts that show you where your money is going. You also have the option to compare your budget with those of other Canadians like you.
Use the Budget Planner to make a budget.
Steps to make a budget

Take the following simple steps to make your budget.

Step 1: List your income, savings and expenses

take your recent pay stubs, bills, and account statements

enter the amount of income, savings and expenses into each category of the Budget Planner

if you can't find a field for a specific item, you can always add and name your own items

When you're done, review the amounts to make sure you didn't forget anything. These items should represent your current situation.

As you're entering data, the tool will give you tips to help you save more and/or spend less. Consider those tips to balance your budget.

When you're done creating your budget, save it online so you can return to it anywhere, at any time.

Step 2: Review your results

The results section provides you with average guidelines. These guidelines tell you what Canadians usually spend or save for each budget category, for example, food, housing, clothing, insurance.

Look at the different alerts you receive for each category:

green thumbs up: this amount is within the average range

yellow warning sign: this amount is slightly above the average range

red hand sign: this amount is above the average range

These alerts will help you determine where you should focus your attention or try to reduce costs. Everyone's situation is different and while the guidelines can't apply to everybody, they provide a good starting point.

Review your results graphics, they give you a clear visual of your overall budget. You'll see a graphic that shows you how your budget compares to those of other Canadians in similar situations. It's valuable to compare your financial habits with people with similar age, income, housing and family situation.

Step 3: Review your next steps

In the next steps section, the tool gives you personalized suggestions. These suggestions are based on your situation and what you have entered in your budget. They help you figure out your next steps whether you have money left or are overspending.

Read them carefully and follow the links to useful educational tools and content to improve your budget.

Tips to help you stick to your budget

Now that you have a budget, try to stick to it and improve it as you go.

To help you with this task, try the following:

keep all your receipts and bills

limit your spending as much as possible to what's in your budget

update your budget with any changes, for example, a pay raise or a bill increase

compare your budget to what you actually spend at the end of each month

Evaluate your budget from time to time. If your actual spending often varies from your budget, adjust your figures to make it more realistic.

When comparing your budget to your actual spending, ask yourself the following questions:

are there large differences between your actual spending and your budget

which categories have the largest differences

are differences due to an unusual situation or is this likely to happen each month

can you save enough money to reach your financial goals or pay off your debts

Continue with this exercise each month. You can set a reminder or book time in your calendar to review your budget regularly. If you make it a habit, you are more likely to stay on track.

Related links

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budget; managing your money; financial goals; tracking my money; my financial needs; my financial wants; tracking your money; your financial needs and your wants; budget planner; personal budget; budget maker

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Tips on how to make and stick to a budget. Consider your needs, wants, spending habits and financial goals.

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Sometimes, the best option can be finding a job in your community and saving some cash. Employment agencies can be a good place to start to find short contract work for a year or other jobs.

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yes - your employment services. thunder bay

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ontario canada. bringing workers and employers together since 1981

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YES Employment Services :: Find a Job :: Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada

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YES - Your Employment Services. Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada. Bringing workers and employers together since 1981

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This site has a huge rage of programs and have varying price points and program lengths. There are many programs ranging from child care, teaching, advocacy, animal care, etc.

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At International Volunteer HQ, we've been enabling people from all walks of life to give back abroad through volunteering vacations since 2007. Our volunteer programs are the most affordable and regenerative way to immerse yourself in new cultures, connect with like-minded international volunteers and make a difference through travel.

With over 300 projects in 50+ destinations to choose from, we offer the world's largest range of fully-hosted volunteering abroad programs.

If you ever want to make a real impact in a time of need, this is your time. Volunteer abroad from just $20 per day, including accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support. Join 126,000+ international volunteers and make your next vacation matter.

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International Volunteer HQ | IVHQ | Official Website

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At International Volunteer HQ, we've been enabling people from all walks of life to give back abroad through volunteering vacations since 2007. Our volunteer programs are the most affordable and regenerative way to immerse yourself in new cultures, connect with like-minded international volunteers and make a difference through travel.

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This program is a volunteer program to go to Thailand and help take care of refuge animals. There is a cost involved, one week is about $700 a week I believe. However, it is a great way to help out with some animals in a new place.

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The Elephant Care project provides refuge to domesticated elephants that have been used in the logging and tourism industries. You will support the team in caring for the rescued elephants at the centre; many of whom arrive with severe health problems and bear the scars of previous abuse.

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This site provides many international gap year opportunity to fit any student's interest. Programs range from 8 weeks to 7 months.

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THE TBB EXPERIENCE

Take a gap year with purpose. Travel, live, and learn with an exceptional group
of peers and program leaders while finding direction for college and life.

Our Team

TBB's staff and Program Leaders are professional educators dedicated to providing exceptional learning environments that support student growth. Each team member brings a combination of expertise in international development, education, and organizational leadership.

Our History

Thinking Beyond Borders was founded in 2007 with the mission to empower and inspire students through education to address critical global issues. We are proud to be the very first gap year provider accredited by the American Gap Association.

REVIEWS AND PRESS

Read More about the Leadership Thinking Beyond Borders is Bringing to the Gap Year Market

"TBB changed the way that I looked at the world. It changed the way I looked at other people. Most importantly, perhaps, it helped me connect global issues of injustice and understand that these problems were systemic... It opened my eyes and there is truly not a day that goes by where I do not think about the people I worked with and lived with during my time as a TBB student. Keeping them in my head and my heart inspires me to continue to work towards social justice and ignites my passion to be an agent of change each and every day."

Charlotte Robertson

"It's really difficult for me to imagine my college life without TBB. The experiences I had on my gap year informed all of my choices in college. More than anything, taking a gap year exposed me to new opportunities and made me more confident. I was bold enough to take chances and pursue them."

Rachel Jordan

Interested in taking this Gap Year?

Fill out the form below and we will reach out to you with a brochure and more information

CONTACT INFO

Call Us
tel. (203) 993-0236

Send Us Mail
Thinking Beyond Borders
C/O Pure Nomad, Inc.
PO Box 102075
Pasadena, CA 91189

Email Us
[email protected]

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The Global Leader in Gap Year - Thinking Beyond Borders

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Take a gap year with purpose. Travel, live, and learn with an exceptional group of peers and program leaders while finding direction for college and life. TBB's staff and Program Leaders are professional educators dedicated to providing exceptional learning environments that support student growth.

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Working Holiday Visas are agreements between Australia, Canada, and the UK and allow people aged 18-30 to travel and work for up to a year, with the possibility to extend it to a second.

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You can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa if you're aged 18 to 30 and you're from:

You can also apply if you're 18 to 30 and a:

You can't apply if you have:

children who live with you

children you're financially responsible for

already been in the UK under the scheme or in the former 'working holidaymaker' category

Money

You must have £1,890 in savings.

You must get a certificate of sponsorship reference number before you apply.

A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about the job you will do and your personal details. It's not a certificate or paper document.

You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving your certificate of sponsorship.

Apply for a certificate of sponsorship in:

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You can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa if you're aged 18 to 30 and you're from: You can also apply if you're 18 to 30 and a: You can't apply if you have: children who live with you children you're financially responsible for already been in the UK under the scheme or in the former 'working holidaymaker' category You must have £1,890 in savings.

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Working Holiday Visas are agreements between Australia, Canada, and the UK and allow people aged 18-30 to travel and work for up to a year, with the possibility to extend it to a second.

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This site provide you with the opportunity to learn life skills. You wil travel through 10 countries in 9 months! Skills include: outdoor skills, communication skills and many more check it out!

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9 Months
10 Countries
100+ Skills

Gap year that changes everything

You'll travel the world, visiting 10 countries over 9 months... you'll learn 100 new skills, from defensive driving to making a movie ... you'll try new things, meet different people, see amazing sights. You'll be challenged, you'll get sweaty, you'll work hard. And at the end of your journey, your most important discoveries may be about yourself.

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ARE YOU PREPARED FOR LIFE?

Never stop learning

Your time with Winterline may be the most enriching educational experience of your life. You'll learn real-world skills that you'll draw on for your entire life ... at the same time you are exploring the world, with new cultures, new adventures, new experiences. Our Life Skills programs are as rich and fulfilling as our Gap Year program - only shorter, to fit your schedule.

Learn More

Accelerate your competency

Step out of the classroom and into the world of business

Winterline Business Skills programs bring a sense of exploration and discovery to a more focused area of interest. Each program lets you pursue a passion, or get a taste of an area that might become a career path. Or not. One thing is certain--you'll know more about yourself than when you started.

Learn More

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Gap Year, Semester, and Summer Skills Travel Programs

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9 Months10 Countries100+ Skills Gap year that changes everything You'll travel the world, visiting 10 countries over 9 months... you'll learn 100 new skills, from defensive driving to making a movie ... you'll try new things, meet different people, see amazing sights. You'll be challenged, you'll get sweaty, you'll work hard.

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Being an au pair is a great way to travel, experience new cultures, and gain experience working with children if that is an interest. The International Au Pair Association certifies agencies that are reliable to set up au pair arrangements safely and effectively.

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Our member agencies can be found all across the world.

You can search by country or if you know the exact name you can also search for a specific agency.

Please note that only agencies included in this listing are IAPA members. Any organisation that uses our logo, but is not referred on the below listing is not a member of our association.
If you have any questions on this, please contact us >>

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Our member agencies can be found all across the world. You can search by country or if you know the exact name you can also search for a specific agency. Please note that only agencies included in this listing are IAPA members.

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This site is some opportunities available to students for going abroad. It’s volunteering in 5 different countries. It runs for a school year from September to May.

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Taking a gap year abroad with Projects Abroad is an opportunity for you to travel, experience something different, and learn new skills before university.