How Much Am I Spending? A Reality Check on Tracking Your Expenses
4/10/2025 (Updated: 2/3/2026) - Personal Banking
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Learn About Savings Accounts and our Round Up to Save™ program.
4/10/2025 (Updated: 2/3/2026) - Personal Banking
Learn About Savings Accounts and our Round Up to Save™ program.
Create a monthly budget tracker by listing your sources of income and categorizing your expenses into different groups such as housing, transportation, groceries, utilities, entertainment, and more. You can create a budget tracker using a simple spreadsheet or utilize budgeting apps and online tools that offer pre-designed templates. Be sure to allocate a specific amount for each expense category based on your income and financial goals. Regularly update your tracker with your income and expenses to stay on top of your financial situation.
The most convenient method to track monthly expenses is to utilize Financial Tools that provide automatic expense tracking, categorization, and spending reports.
The 50-30-20 rule is a guideline for budgeting and allocating your income effectively. According to this rule, you should allocate 50% of your income towards essential expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries. The next 30% should be designated for personal wants and non-essential expenses like dining out, entertainment, and shopping. Finally, the remaining 20% should be dedicated to savings, debt repayment, and investments for future financial security. This rule provides a balanced approach to managing your income, ensuring you cover your necessities, enjoy your lifestyle, and build financial stability.
Spending wisely involves making conscious and informed choices about where and how you allocate your money. We recommend implementing the Pay Yourself First method, as well as creating a budget, avoiding impulse purchases, and practicing mindful spending.
In observance of Veterans Day, SouthState locations will be closed on Wednesday, November 11. SouthState Customer Care will be open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET. Transactions initiated or scheduled on a holiday are processed the next business day.