Building a budget involves calculating your monthly income and expenses to see how much money you have and where it's going. It can help you pay your bills, save for the future and achieve your goals.

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Profit margin conveys the relative ...

Elvis Picardo is a regular contributor to Investopedia and has 25+ years of experience as a portfolio manager with diverse capital markets experience. Michael Boyle is an experienced financial ...