Which of the following best describes the purpose of a budget?

A budget serves the primary purpose of tracking income and expenses. By systematically recording where money comes from and where it goes, individuals can gain a clear understanding of their financial situation. This comprehensive view helps in making informed decisions regarding spending and saving, ultimately supporting better financial health.

While reducing unnecessary spending and preparing for retirement are important aspects of personal finance, they are not the foundational purpose of a budget. A budget provides the framework needed to identify areas where spending can be adjusted or saved but does not inherently focus solely on reducing expenses. Similarly, while budgets can help in planning for retirement by showing how much can be allocated toward savings, this is a broader financial goal rather than the specific aim of budgeting. Increasing discretionary spending contradicts the fundamental idea of budgeting, which aims for balanced financial management rather than simply allowing more spending.