set up a budget

USAGE SUMMARY

"set up a budget" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about making a plan for your finances or the finances of a group you are part of. For example: "The school board voted to set up a budget for the upcoming year at the last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Check out the Travel section, set up a budget and see how far you can go.

The New York Times

You are billed daily, but you can set up a budget, and you are charged only for impressions on your post.

The New York Times

Lord King said it made no sense to set up a budget to cope with economic trends five, 10 or 15 years ahead.

The Guardian - Business

I don't expect anyone to copy this exactly, but it will give you an idea of one way to set up a budget and make it into a forecasting model.

The New York Times

Proposition 58, the "California Balanced Budget Act", will require the state to pass a balanced budget and set up a budget reserve, and will come into effect only if 57 is also approved.

The Economist

Read the National Review: http://t.co/VNpXOxtSUS October 15, 2013 UPDATE: the House legislation also would not set up a budget supercommittee, as the prospective Senate agreement would have, according to Nunes via Reuters.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

That means opening up about what they both owe, working out a way to deal with debts and setting up a budget in order to go forward.

Independent

I'm really going to need your help setting up a budget when I get home and making sure I stick to it.

The New York Times

If you are setting up a budget, Ms. Weston proposes the 50-30-20 distribytion suggElizabeth Warrenth whoren, whashas been selected as an adviser to President Obama for the federal government's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The New York Times

And setting up a budget that can help save you money is absolutely free.

Huffington Post

Since the Deng Xiaoping administration, the Chinese Communist Party has been gradually reforming China's economic structure by actively supporting private-owned firms through various policy combinations like transferring ownership of state-owned assets and setting up a budget system for managing state capital.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial planning, be specific. Instead of just saying "set up a budget", mention the type of budget (e.g., monthly, annual) or the specific goals it aims to achieve (e.g., saving for retirement, managing debt).

Common error

Avoid using "budget" when you actually mean "estimate". A budget is a detailed plan for spending and saving, while an estimate is a rough calculation or prediction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set up a budget" functions as a verb phrase, where "set up" is a phrasal verb and "budget" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the action of establishing a financial plan, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

32%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set up a budget" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for describing the action of creating a financial plan. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki articles, but also appears in scientific contexts. Alternatives like "establish a budget" or "create a budget" offer similar meanings, but "set up a budget" emphasizes a structured approach to financial planning. When writing, remember to be specific about the type of budget and its goals, and avoid confusing the term with a simple "estimate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a budget

Uses a more formal verb, "establish", instead of "set up", indicating a similar but slightly more official tone.

create a budget

"Create" is a more general verb implying the initiation of a budget.

develop a budget

Implies a more detailed and gradual process of forming a budget.

formulate a budget

A more formal synonym, suggesting careful and systematic planning.

prepare a budget

Suggests getting ready to have a budget, focusing on the preparatory actions.

implement a budget

Focuses on putting a budget into action, rather than just creating it.

design a budget

Emphasizes the structural and planned aspect of creating a budget.

draft a budget

Implies creating a preliminary version of the budget.

devise a budget

Suggests inventing or planning a budget with ingenuity.

structure a budget

Focuses on organizing the budget's components and framework.

FAQs

How do I use "set up a budget" in a sentence?

You can use "set up a budget" when you want to talk about the action of creating a financial plan. For example, "It's essential to "set up a budget" to manage your expenses effectively".

What's the difference between "set up a budget" and "stick to a budget"?

"Set up a budget" refers to the initial creation and planning of a financial strategy, while "stick to a budget" refers to consistently following and adhering to that established plan.

What can I say instead of "set up a budget"?

You can use alternatives like "create a budget", "establish a budget", or "develop a budget" depending on the context.

Is it better to "set up a budget" or "make a budget"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "set up a budget" implies a more structured and organized approach to financial planning, whereas "make a budget" is more general.