manage my money

Two weeks ago I set a budget and gave my self a cash allowance. When the cash is gone I have to wait until I get my allowance again. Its taking some getting use to but its working well. Up until now I purchased everything with my debit card and never ever carried cash.

1. Get and maintain the appropriate piece of bookkeeping software
2. Save receipts
3. Design and stick to a budget

I think I can say I’ve done this. I’m now pretty much completely in control of my finances. I know how much I have coming in and how much is going out. I’m saving money, not a lot, but still saving money. so yeah, I think I finished this one…:)

I just bought a car and have to make payments every month of nearly 350… on top i have to pay my car insurance which is about 120 a month.. plus all 3 of my major credit cards need to be paid off…

Last night, I got on the computer and started a “Manage My Money” page. I put all my current money information in. Hopefully, I can keep up with it and not be broke in a week, and not know about it.

The more i realise that life is about cashflow, not just net worth. I can afford the things i want as long as i have a positive cashflow in life. I’ve decided that i must put my most important things first. For me, crazy as that sounds, getting a horse is my main priority, besides making sure i have enough money to support my house. So i’ve decided to take this out of my existing funds immediately, remove it from my bank account so that there is no evidence of it there so that i’m not tempted to consider it in my financial plan. Next, this month i need to make around 2k per month to survive. I want to make 2k excess also to support my horse.

I can easily go through 5000 dollars in a month. I spend money on stupid shit instead of paying my bills, so i end up broke and in a bind. My aunt & uncle always bail me out and it’s starting to really make me feel like crap, so i want to learn how to manage the finances i get myself plus whatever they do give me because i know they aren’t going to stop giving me money. Basically, I don’t want to ever have to call them and ask for money. I feel like, at almost 20 years old, i should be able to live independently.

not really, but I do need to manage my money better… where does my money go? I have not a clue…

I want my money to work as hard a I do. Manage & Park my funds appropriately and wisely.

If I could get back 10% of the money I have spent on clothes i wore only once, dining out and late charges on bills I cant pay on time because of finances,in the past 20 years I believe I would be sitting on a good $50,000. (or more)..I dont even want to think about what I have spent on gifts for people or loans to people that were never paid.
I was always bad with money. Getting it was never the problem. It was saving it. My finance has taught me the importance of saving but being a borderline cheapskate. So I eliminated half of my credit cards and tried to get control of my use. I still waste money on parking when I can catch the train to work and I eat out at least twice a week. This is insanity. I am just throwing away money.
I am glad to say, I started my own little rainy day account by opening up an ING account about 2 months ago. I deposit money in it each week and have touched it only once, and I have vowed to not touch it unless it is a dire emergency. Only time will tell…