While the act of creating a budget may not be the first thing you want to do with the little spare time you have, the effects of budgeting — like being able to take that long awaited vacation — are more than worth the little effort it actually takes to organize your spending. Real Simple lists needing a budget fifth in the March issue's feature. To see the magazine's simple and useful tips for building a budget just read more
- Grab a blank notebook: Write down every penny you spend for a whole month so you know where your money is actually going.
- Take stock: At the month's end, categorize your spending in to basic categories (food, clothing, shelter, savings, etc) and divvy up your expenses.
- Play with the numbers: If there's a concert you want to go to next month, rearrange the numbers so that maybe you spend less on eating out to buy the tickets. Your list of monthly expenses should serve as a guideline for all future spending.
- Sign up for an online money-tracking program, like wesabe or mint: These programs can be linked to your credit card and bank accounts and will categorize your expenses for you. All you have to do is enter any purchases you made with cash.
Kova And T
Mishumo
Dress for Less
I love these tips savvy
1Good tips.
I really should start keeping a notebook. I have been thinking about this, maybe i will start March 1st. I know that i spend too much money and i should be saving more. I have been trying to be better.
2Ha I need to do this. Sadly, I already know where most of my makeup goes..... MAKEUP.
3Real Simple is a GREAT magazine. I've been a subscriber for nearly 3 years and I highly recommend this magazine. They offer great tips such as money saving opportunities and reputable sources!
4Ah yay! Thanks for these tips! I'm taking my mother to Paris for Christmas time after I am awarded my PhD this December, so I really needed some ideas on how to get financially organized so we could have a good time.
5I might try writing everything down for a month...
6i want that piggybank!
i use moneydance. it's great...but i already know i spend way WAYYYYYYYYYYY too much on eating outside the home.
7ha, I already keep track of my expenses. and all signs point toward one thing--I need to make more money!
8I have started to put money away each month for big expenses that I know are coming i.e. Christmas or HOA fees. That way my wallet takes a small hit each month instead of a big blow. Took me a few months to get the hang of it, but I know it will pay off in the end.
9does anyone know of similiar software like mint or wesabe for Canadians?
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