Tips for the Budget Train

Here are the tips, tricks, ideas and information u need to to get the record keeping and goal-setting habits established for preparing a budget, which is nothing beyond figuring out what u spend and if thats how u want to spend the money u have.

U dont need to consult with a financial adviser to know some budget basics and to get out of debt. With credit, u need to determine the things necessary in assisting u with ur lifes goals. What is dragging u down? What will drag u down? U can make smart and informed decisions on what to purchase with credit and what to pay off first if ur trying to release urself from debt.

AVOID TEMPTATION! Those super risky times include, but are not limited to, holidays, vacations, clothes, home entertainment purchases, and trips into the convenience stores when u stop for a gas purchase. U can "hide" money from urself, but if u owe on loans or credit cards and they go unpaid, this form of saving is not recommended.

U can increase ur savings and live comfortably within ur means. There are three basic steps to preparing a budget that are simple and easy to do. *Keep a written record of ur current spending. *Evaluate what u have written and designate how u would like to shift ur spending patterns. *Track ur spending to see if u have altered ur spending habits. Comparing ur expenditures to ur goals and other expenditures will help u see if u are doing the best u can with what u have. The most difficult part is working through issues to find out how u currently spend.

One thing u can do is to start off with entertainment expenditures. Take meticulous notes on current expenditures, evaluate them, then decide where u can make changes. Expenditures u cant control, such as ur electric and heating bills, etc, are not included in this. **Also, take a notepad with u everywhere and track every time u reach for money to spend with.** Ask urself, "Is this something I REALLY need or am I just buying this out of habit?"

Another thing to remember if u buy in bulk...are u getting top value for the money u spend? Whether u are buying 3 lbs of lunch meat or a health club membership...if u are making only a few trips to the place, it isnt worth the expenditure.

$ Awesome tip: Clip all the coupons u can from ur newspapers and magazines and meet with family and friends to trade coupons on a weekly or monthly basis. Make it a pot luck day. Any coupons no one wants take to ur local laundry mat and put in a cute homemade decorated little box!

If u and whomever u live with establish ground rules early, u will avoid any heated debates later in ur budgeting. **A great tip on getting to know each others spending habits and wishes is too: Take 10+ minutes to write on a piece of paper answers to these questions...5 Things We Could Do Without If I Lost My Job? Starting with ur #5, discuss each answer. Agree on a mutual list, then ask urselves this...Can We Do Without Any Of These Right Now?

Before u cash a paycheck, sit down with whom u live with and discuss where the money will go. U can count on revisiting ur budget depending on how well it works in ur life.

$ Awesome tip: Purchase a cheap tack board and glue clothes pins to the top of the tack board. Hang the tack board where u will see it on a daily basis and is easy to access. The clothes pins can hold ur receipts for the month!

Ty for reading my smexy witches! Keep an eye out for money budgeting and getting out of debt blog post tips in the future! Have a blessed day!

#Budget #Budgettips