Income categories
Legitimate sources of income and how their diversification affects the budget.
A personal budget consists of income and expenditure. Income is all the money we receive from the various sources at our disposal in a given month. This can include salary, social benefits, gifts or business profit.
Types of income and their importance
Fixed:
This is the regular, predictable income we receive each month, such as salary from a contract of employment, a fixed pension or an annuity. Knowing the amount of regular income is crucial to feeling financially secure, as it is on the basis of this that we plan most of our regular expenses, such as rent and bills.
Extra (irregular):
This is money that comes into our account sporadically and in variable amounts. This could be bonuses, side orders, interest on savings, donations or profit from the sale of second-hand items.
Diversification of income
Income diversification is having more than one source of money. It is one of the most important strategies for building financial stability. Instead of relying on just one source (e.g. salary from one job), we try to create several.
How does diversification affect your budget?
- Increases financial stability: When one source of income (e.g. your salary) is suddenly lost, other sources (e.g. additional assignments) will help you get through a difficult period. This reduces stress and feelings of uncertainty.
- Enables you to grow faster: Additional income allows you to achieve your financial goals faster, such as saving for a home deposit, travel or investments.
- Increases resilience to crises: In an economic crisis, when some industries suffer, others can do better. By having diversified sources of income, you become less vulnerable to market turbulence.
In Poland, legitimate income can come from many sources. Be sure to include them all in your budget to get a full picture of your finances.
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