make a budget and stick to it

I wish they would have taught us how to handle our money in high school. I came out taking out way too many loans and credit cards and building up unnecessary debt.

Its ok though.

Now to become rich, change the world, and be debt free.

Step by Step.

So I totally need to budget my money. I have been in school for many years and have gotten used to pulling out extra student loans and/or borrowing from my family when I need extra cash, but I am an adult with a family and a real job now and I need to learn to live within a budget and start saving $ for fun things/trips.

Super tiny steps I’m making right now: I’ve started buying my groceries from Amazon Fresh so that I can know what I’m spending and modify before I “check out”. So far I’ve just done this once, but it was awesome. I didn’t buy impulse junk food and I was able to easily price compare (even price by unit!) to get better deals on things where I’m not too attached to specific brands. I think I saved $30+ from what I’ve been spending going to the grocery store and we are not going hungry. I also signed up for a delivery CSA to get our fruits and veggies—a much better fixed cost for organic produce that would normally cost me much more! Now I just need to see if it’s enough food to get me through the week.

Other budget attempt I’m trying is to set up autopay of bills through my bank online so that right after my paycheck is deposited, my regular bill $ comes out of my account right away. we’ll see if i am more realistic about how much money in my account…

I’ve set a few budgets in my life, but after the first few weeks I don’t last. I start buying stuff I don’t need. What I want to do is be more controlled. Things I want will have to wait, so that I can afford everything I need.

I need to save at least $1,000 for emergency funds. NEED TO! I’ve now had it happen too many times where I run into some money troubles only to find out I’m screwed and have to borrow from someone or some bank.

focus

My new year’s resolution for 2009! I plan to spend all of New Year’s Day taking a deep inventory of my financial picture, making a cash budget and living on the envelope system (Dave Ramsey style) from now on. I’m working on getting a second job, so the income from that can go directly toward paying off debt. I will do this, even if paying off debt will still take me years.

I have never been a saver but i am now graduating from college and need to become and adult. Not only would doing this incease my maturity level but also give me a much better quality of life.

I need to make a budget and stick with it

I will write down my personal monthly budget (spending plan!) in detail by “the Ides of March”. And keep strict tabs.

i do not know how to budget

We (my wife and I) earn really good for my country standards; it seems we could easily set aside some money every month, however, we always end tied or even behind. This really makes me sad.

This month I will note every expense we make – and try to find some areas for improvement.

I will also make a note everytime I restrain myself from buying stuff that I can make without (snacks, newspapers and the like). Everything I save this way will go to my piggybank :)