Another year has come and gone, and the big question is: what do you have to show for it? You clocked countless shifts, put in overtime whenever you could, juggled responsibilities both in the UK and back home in Zim—but do you really know where all those hard-earned pounds ended up? As 2025 kicks off, it’s time to look back at your bank statements and find out if your savings reflect your hustle. Were you able to put something meaningful aside, or did expenses (and the occasional impulse buy) eat up your earnings? In this article, we’ll dive into ways you can turn your financial reflection into a clearer plan for the year ahead—so that next December, you can celebrate more than just the holidays. Budget !
Budgeting simply means understanding where your money is currently going and deciding where you want it to go. If you’re a Zimbabwean in the UK, juggling day-to-day expenses plus supporting family back home, a solid budget will help you stay on top of your financial goals—whether that means saving for a mortgage, sending remittances, or planning an epic holiday back to Zim.
Contents
- Understanding Your Current Spending 🔎
- Get Overspending Under Control 📉
- Get Comfortable with Reasonable Spending ✅
- Plan Future Spending 🔮
- Budgeting Tools 🧮
Understanding Your Current Spending 🔎
The first step to building a bulletproof budget is knowing exactly what you spend right now. It’s easy to swipe your card at the supermarket or send money via Western Union without realizing how it all adds up. So, start by making a list:
- Fixed Expenditure – These are your non-negotiables: rent or mortgage, utility bills, council tax, debt repayments, and essential groceries.
- Discretionary Expenditure – These are your “wants.” Think of takeaways, weekend outings, Netflix, new clothes, or your mbira music lessons—anything you could cut back on if you had to.
- Infrequent Large Expenses – Annual MOT, insurance, Christmas presents, flights to Zimbabwe, or holiday getaways. Even if these costs only pop up once or twice a year, you can convert them into a monthly amount so you’re prepared when they arrive.
Tip: If you’re stuck for categories, check out typical UK living costs or reflect on your key expenses unique to Zimbabweans abroad—like remittances or shipping fees for groceries back home.
Finally, go through several months of bank statements or mobile banking apps. Jot down every single transaction and group them into your chosen categories. Don’t forget occasional big payments, like Christmas flights or your mbinga-level wedding anniversary celebration.
By doing this, you’ll discover where your money really goes. Then, decide how much you want to spend in each category going forward. This becomes your budget.
Get Overspending Under Control 📉
Maybe you’ve just realized you’re spending more than you earn or you’re left with nothing to save. Kupedza pese! It’s time to tighten up. Since you have a clear list of expenses now, you know which areas are flexible. Ask yourself:
- Are you spending more on takeaways, pub outings, or new clothes than you realized?
- Could you switch to a cheaper utility provider or mobile phone contract?
Focus on discretionary costs first. Reducing how often you eat out might be easier than moving to a cheaper place just to lower your rent. Even small savings on monthly bills can make a huge difference over time—especially if you’re also trying to send money home.
Also consider the “pay yourself first” method: set aside savings for your big goals (house deposit, children’s education, support for family in Zim) as soon as you get paid. Then, budget what remains for your monthly expenses.
Get Comfortable with Reasonable Spending ✅
Living on a strict budget doesn’t mean you have to live miserably. We all love a proper braai or a night out dancing to Sungura, so don’t cut all the fun out!
If you find that you’re feeling guilty about any spending, remember that a good budget can help ease anxiety:
- You’ll already have money set aside for essentials like rent, bills, and groceries.
- Set up a “fun” pot of money you must spend on yourself—no guilt allowed.
- If it helps, keep that “fun” money in a separate account so you can track it easily.
- Reflect on your underlying worries. Are you afraid of going broke like you once were? Do you have responsibilities to family back home? Recognizing these concerns can help you strike a healthy balance.
Plan Future Spending 🔮
Your budget is also a powerful tool for making bigger decisions. Sometimes it’s not as simple as, “Is it in my budget?” You might be asking yourself:
- Is a £90/month gym membership worth it?
- Should I keep driving my current car, or upgrade to a nicer one with a hefty £450/month payment?
- Should I rent a room in a shared house to save, or get my own flat to enjoy some peace and quiet?
- Should I buy the dream house with a big mortgage or aim for something cheaper?
There’s no universal answer—chero dai munhu wese ari kudzidziswa newe. It all depends on your income, your goals, and your personal priorities. The best way to decide is to:
- Draw up a separate budget for each scenario.
- Work out what each option means for your spending, saving, and lifestyle.
- Consider extra costs (maintenance, insurance, and so on).
- Picture yourself living in each scenario a few years down the line.
For example, if you choose that expensive gym membership, you might have to cut back on takeaways and fewer nights out in London. If you want to buy a bigger house, will you have to work overtime for years, with fewer visits to family in Zim?
Budgets help you see these trade-offs clearly. Even if you end up making mistakes along the way, you’ll learn more about what really matters to you.
Budgeting Tools 🧮
Sometimes, simply using a pen and paper can do the trick, but if you prefer digital solutions, here are some popular budgeting tools that might suit Zimbabweans living in the UK. They can make it easier to keep track of multiple incomes, remittances, and day-to-day expenses.
Envelope Budgeting Systems
Envelope budgeting is like putting your cash into different envelopes—one for rent, one for groceries, one for “fun,” etc. Digitally, these envelopes help keep you from overspending (and also prevent underspending if you’re too cautious).
- YNAB (34-day free trial, $99/year)
- One of the most well-known digital envelope systems. Connects to UK banks to import transactions automatically.
- Aspire Budget (Free)
- Uses Excel or Google Sheets. Has a helpful Reddit community for advice and support.
- Yet Another Budgeting Spreadsheet (YABS) (Free)
- A spreadsheet-based system similar to YNAB. Great if you’re familiar with YNAB’s older versions.
- Actual Budget
- An open-source desktop app similar to older YNAB versions; more suited to people with some tech know-how.
- Goodbudget (Free basic tier, $60/year for unlimited)
- Straightforward digital envelopes; easy to set up.
Open Banking
Open Banking lets you connect different bank accounts and credit cards in one place, simplifying tracking. Some banking apps use Open Banking to pull your transactions right into their budgeting features—great if you have multiple accounts, including one for sending money back to Zim.
Popular options among UK Personal Finance enthusiasts include:
- Emma (Free basic; £5/month premium) – Offers spending analysis similar to Monzo.
- Nova Money (1-month free trial; £99/year) – Helps you plan your finances months ahead without a spreadsheet.
- Snoop (Free basic; £5/month premium) – Another app that tracks multiple accounts.
- Moneyhub (6-month free trial; £15/year) – Comprehensive coverage of banks and institutions. Great for advanced users.
Spreadsheets
If none of these solutions meet your unique needs—maybe you’re monitoring monthly remittances, personal savings, and a hustle back home—feel free to create your own spreadsheet. Adapt examples from other tools and tailor them precisely to your lifestyle and family obligations.
Budgeting
Budgeting might feel like an extra chore, but it’s actually your key to financial freedom—especially when you’re balancing life in the UK with responsibilities back home in Zimbabwe. From paying rent and bills to sending money or gifts for family, a strong budget will help you do it all comfortably and with peace of mind.
Start by tracking your spending, set realistic goals, and use whichever tools fit your style. You’ll quickly see how budgeting can transform your finances, giving you the confidence to pursue your dreams on both sides of the globe.
Pamwechete, let’s build our wealth and support our families—both here in the UK and in Zim!
