stick to a budget

SRP has some great online tools to help manage your electricity bill and predict what next month’s bill will look like. it even has the option now to send you alerts whenever it seems like your bill is going to exceed your desired amount.

i still haven’t mastered the art of not going over budget on weekends.

i’ve set up email alerts from the bank if i spend too much money on groceries and gas that month. i should do the same for the entertainment section.

ok, new month, fresh start.

i ended up going over my entertainment budget this weekend with friends again. but i did balance my checkbook today and put my loose change aside. also, a friend fixed my door lock, so i didn’t have to hire a locksmith. so, i’m still working on it.

i just downloaded a free personal monthly budget template for excel:

http://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/personal-monthly-budget.html

i had some handyman work done and instead of hiring an expensive, licensed professional, i hired someone off craigslist for half the price. they were very professional and passionate about their work. since they’re not licensed, it’s hard for them to find work and since i’m on a budget, it’s hard to find an inexpensive, licensed professional. it was a win-win situation for everyone. i’m very pleased with the work.

right after reviewing my budget, i ended up spending way too much money with friends over the weekend. time to really get serious about this goal. i’m going to have to track everything i spend and learn to say no to spending too much on friends and entertaining ourselves, as well as eating out too often.