What is a plan for making and spending money referred to as?

The concept of a budget encompasses a plan for making and spending money. It provides a framework for managing income and expenses, allowing individuals or organizations to allocate resources strategically over a specific period, typically on a monthly or annual basis. A budget serves as a detailed roadmap, helping to track financial goals, control spending, and make informed financial decisions.

In contrast, while a financial plan may include a budget, it is broader and encompasses overall financial goals and the strategies to achieve them. An expense report is a document used to itemize and track expenses incurred, often for reimbursement purposes but does not outline a plan for future spending. Financial projections represent estimates of future income and expenses based on trends and assumptions but do not serve as a tangible plan for current financial management like a budget does. Therefore, the budget is the most accurate term for a plan focused specifically on making and spending money.