A balanced budget is central to financial stability, but many people are missing important pieces that prevent them from seeing a complete picture of their finances.

Learn core budgeting principles and beyond in this third episode of the Protecting Your Finances During COVID-19 podcast.

Hosts Karen Boothe, bankruptcy attorney Heather Culp, and retired e-commerce executive Kim Edwards share advice for creating a successful budget: know your income, know your expenses, and figure out what’s a need versus a want. They suggest you take an in depth look at your paycheck, understand your expenses on a micro and macro level, and weigh the importance of what’s in your budget.

Don’t forget about saving. Planning for your future by figuring out how much you need to retire is an important part of your financial planning. Kim provides a useful tool in monitoring your finances through her “Net Worth Day” challenge that has helped guide her financial journey to an early retirement.

The conversation goes deeper by bringing into focus the way psychology plays a role in your relationship with money and how you manage your finances.

Name: Heather Culp

What she does: Heather is an attorney at Essex Richards in Charlotte, North Carolina. She and her colleagues have significant experience helping North Carolinians, their businesses, and their families through their financial challenges. Heather has over 20 years of experience and has helped clients navigate the 2008 recession and rebuild.

Name: Karen Boothe 

What she does: Karen is the Founder and owner of Engage Forward LLC. Karen provides educational guidance and is passionate about what she does. Engage Forward LLC exists to consult and educate all clients about how to obtain sustain and maintain financially healthy lifestyles. Karen is committed to helping her clients to develop and transform into a better version of their current state.

Name: Kim Edwards

What she does: Kim, a former e-commerce executive, retired from her career early at the age of 39 and now spends her time traveling, investing, and learning. Previously, she served in executive level roles at Wayfair, Converse, and management level roles at Amazon and Walmart.

Top takeaways from this episode of Protecting Your Finances During COVID-19

➔  Pay down outstanding debts. If you have money left over after paying all your monthly expenses, consider reducing any outstanding debts you may owe.

➔   Don’t spend what you don’t have. Some Americans have been opting to pay with credit cards instead of cash during the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be great if debt is paid off right away. If neglected, it can quickly become a financial burden. Pay for expenses using the money in your bank account, or pay off your credit card right away to minimize debt. 

➔   Know your spending habits. Keeping track of your finances. Plan ahead for one-off purchases. Credit card statements can be a great tool to keep track of expenses on a monthly and yearly purchases. The bottom line — know how your spending aligns with your...