How to conduct a monthly financial review
Oluwatosin Olaseinde
Founder, MoneyAfrica & Ladda | Fintech | Edtech | World Economic Forum Young Global Leader | Linked In Top Voices Finance & Economy 2020 | Mandela Washington Fellowship | Financial literacy expert
Good evening and how are you doing?
Happy New month!
Financially, what does a new month mean for you? Credit alerts? Debit alerts? Both? Most likely. Do you have the details though?
For many of us, we only pay attention to that when we either get slammed with a huge bill or a large credit alert. Have you undertaken a monthly financial review before? Are you unsure of how it works? Here are a few practical steps.
Step 1
The first step is to add up all your earnings and expenditure for the month. Earnings are a great place to start with, as they tend to be easier to account for. When adding up earnings, also include income from your side hustle(s).
Step 2
Add up your expenditure for the month. Here is where it gets a bit tricky. Many people tend to make lots of little payments on a daily basis. That nice spot you like to eat out. The brother or sister you send money to often. Or the dash money you give to the security person to wash your car every now and then or other menial labour. Are you tracking it?
If you do mostly card transactions, then your job will be a bit easier. If your transactions are largely cash, then you may have to approximate. We need to track and account for them.
Step 3
Do you have any outstanding loans? Is anyone owing you? These should also fall under a category of its own. Documentation is very key. So please write these figures down in a book or a note on your phone.
If this is the first time you are conducting a review, there may be the possibility that you will leave a few minor items out. Not to worry. As time goes, you will capture them.
Which figure was more and why? Credits or debits? Do you have more loans outstanding or have you more debts being owed you?
One of the reasons why people tend to shy away from a review is that it either reminds them of something that they can do but are unwilling to do, or they feel pressured when compared to others in their circle.
You need to dispel those thoughts. 2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Everyone’s journey is different. What’s important is that you make progress with yours every day.
Have a rewarding and excellent month as you take stocks
With Love,
Money Africa
MBA '25-Finance, Strategy, & Analytics | Chartered Accountant | Nonprofit Co-founder
3 年Nice write up Oluwatosin Olaseinde. Another thing I feel should be done is an estimate of possible expenses and earnings for the succeeding month. With this, one will be able to know the expected earnings, prioritize expenses, keep track of the budgeted expenses and know what amount goes into savings, which can also promote a good saving habit.
Global Financial Analyst | Financial Planning & Analysis | Finance Business Partner | Financial Modeler | Microsoft Excel Tutor
3 年Nice one Oluwatosin Olaseinde. It's something that must be done, irrespective of how tough it is. Another additional thing that I feel should be done is a bank reconciliation. Review your month-end bank statements. Confirm that you do not have erroneous debits, and that you have a full idea of how your money was spent. Also, it helps to have a journal to record daily expenses. That way, you do not have to approximate at the end of the month. It'll also serve as the basis for budgeting, and help you realize what to cut back on (financial discipline). Great advice again!
Banker | Relationship/Account Officer | Financial Analysis and Modelling Enthusiast | Customer Service
3 年i always try to do this, but i sometimes get discouraged because it may end up reminding about bills i am yet to attend to.
International Tax Department Transfer Pricing Audit
3 年Thank you for sharing Oluwatosin Olaseinde