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The 1st of the Month Budget Tool

Your complete household budget. Enter your income below, then allocate every dollar across the 5 pillars. Every dollar needs a job.

The 1st of the Month Method™

Pay yourself first — Roof, Car, and Future come out on the 1st before you spend a single dollar on anything else. Bills are averaged and direct-debited automatically. Lifestyle spending goes on a rewards credit card, paid off in full on the 1st. Every dollar has a job.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME (MONTHLY AFTER-TAX)
HOUSEHOLD TOTAL
$5,000
PILLAR 1 · PAY FIRST
1. Your Roof
Housing costs — direct debit on the 1st
$2,450
Mortgage / Rent
Council Rates (averaged)
Home & Contents Insurance
Electricity (averaged)
Gas (averaged)
Water (averaged)
Internet
PILLAR 2 · PAY FIRST
2. Your Car
Transport costs — direct debit on the 1st
$770
Car Loan / Lease
Fuel (averaged)
Car Insurance
Registration (averaged)
PILLAR 3 · PAY FIRST
3. Your Future
Savings & investments — transferred on the 1st
$750
Emergency Fund
Investments (shares / ETFs)
Extra Super Contributions
Sinking Fund (big expenses)
BILL AVERAGING
4. Bills (Averaged)
Calculate monthly average — direct debit on the 1st
$390
Add up 12 months of each bill ÷ 12 = your monthly average. Set up a direct debit for this amount on the 1st.
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JESSIE'S 1ST OF THE MONTH TIP

On the 1st of every month, review one provider — phone, internet, health insurance, electricity. Call and ask for a better deal, or switch. You won't tackle all of them at once, but reviewing one per month means you've reviewed every bill in a year. A dollar saved is a dollar earned.

Phone
Health Insurance
Life / Income Protection Insurance
Streaming Services
Gym / Fitness
REWARDS CREDIT CARD
5. Lifestyle Budget
Everyday spending on rewards card — paid off in full on the 1st
$1,080
Use a rewards credit card for all lifestyle spending. Earn points on money you were going to spend anyway. Pay the full balance on the 1st — no interest, just rewards.
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JESSIE'S REWARDS CARD RULE

Put all your lifestyle spending on a rewards credit card — groceries, petrol, dining, everything. You're spending that money anyway, so you may as well earn points on it. The non-negotiable rule: pay the full balance on the 1st of every month. No exceptions. The moment you carry a balance, the interest wipes out every point you've earned. Done right, it's free flights, free hotels, and free gift cards — just for living your life.

Groceries
Dining Out / Takeaway
Clothing & Shoes
Personal Care / Beauty
Entertainment
ZERO-BASED CHECK
Your Roof
$2,450
Your Car
$770
Your Future
$750
Bills (Averaged)
$390
Lifestyle
$1,080
Household Income$5,000
Total Allocated$5,440
Unallocated-$440

You've allocated $440 more than you earn. Reduce spending in one or more categories.

For educational purposes only. Not financial advice. For personalised advice, speak with a qualified financial planner. Culgan Wealth — AFSL 510251.