Broker Check
Jose M Borro II
Jose M Borro II
AirMar Wealth Management Financial Planner
https://www.prudential.com/advisor/jose-borro (561) 206-5366

Jose M. Borro II, CPFA®
Founder, AirMar Wealth Management

Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Jose is the son of Cuban immigrants whose sacrifices shaped his values: freedom, family, and opportunity. That legacy is the heart of everything we do at AirMar.

After more than a decade in the financial industry, Jose founded AirMar Wealth Management to offer something often missing in finance—human advice, grounded in trust, values, and lived experience. Every strategy we create is designed around one central truth: your life comes first.

When he’s not helping clients shape their futures, Jose is enjoying his own—boating along the Atlantic with his wife Lauren, adventuring with their son Judah, and soaking in the Florida lifestyle that inspires the AirMar name.

Licenses & Credentials:

  • FINRA Series 7 & 66 held with LPL Enterprise
  • Florida 2-15 Life, Health & Variable Annuity License
  • Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®)

Budget Check Up: Tax Time Is the Right Time

Money Read Time: 3 min

Every year, about 140 million households file their federal tax returns. For many, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, retirement, and investment account statements; and relying on computer software to take advantage of every tax break the code permits.1

It seems a shame not to make the most of all that effort.

Tax preparation may be the only time of year when many households gather all their financial information in one place. That makes it a perfect time to take a critical look at how much money is coming in and where it’s all going. In other words, this is a great time to give the household budget a checkup.

Six-Step Process

Budget Check Up

A thorough budget checkup involves six steps.

  1. Creating Some Categories. Start by dividing expenses into useful categories. Some possibilities: home, auto, food, household, debt, clothes, pets, entertainment, and charity. Don’t forget savings and investments. It may also be helpful to create subcategories. Housing, for example, can be divided into mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
  2. Following the Money. Go through all the receipts and statements gathered to prepare taxes and get a better understanding of where the money went last year. Track everything. Be as specific as possible, and don’t forget to account for the cost of a latte on the way to the office each day.
  3. Projecting Expenses Forward. Knowing how much was spent per budget category can provide a useful template for projecting future expenses. Go through each category. Are expenses likely to rise in the coming year? If so, by how much? The results of this projection will form the basis of a budget for the coming year.
  4. Determining Expected Income. Add together all sources of income. Make sure to use net income.
  5. Doing the Math. It’s time for the moment of truth. Subtract projected expenses from expected income. If expenses exceed income, it may be necessary to consider changes. Prioritize categories and look to reduce those with the lowest importance until the budget is balanced.
  6. Sticking to It. If it’s not in the budget, don’t spend it. If it’s an emergency, make adjustments elsewhere.

Tax time can provide an excellent opportunity. You have a chance to give your household budget a thorough checkup. In taking control of your money, you may find you are able to devote more of it to the pursuit of your financial goals.

1. IRS.gov, 2025

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

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