Money is the single most common reason for divorce among Americans. That is a scary fact. Why do so many couples fight about money?
Have you ever noticed that when you walk into a store that you spend more money than you intended to. How often have you made a quick run to the market for milk, only to arrive back home with a bag of groceries that you remembered after you got to the store that you needed? Why do we spend more money than we intend to? A lot of our spending is impulsive spending. We don’t plan on spending that much money, it just happens. I have heard people say that they hate not having any money, it seems to depress them. So when they get a little money, they go spend it to take away that feeling of depression. Have you ever balanced your checkbook before you went shopping to see how much money you could spend?
If we keep a budget, we will be able to save money. Deciding to make and keep a budget is the first step. It must be done by the entire family to make it work. Everyone must have a say in were the money is spent and how much is saved to make the budget effective. The purpose of having all the family members help to make the budget is so nobody will overspend. Everyone knows what they are allowed to spend. So they don’t ask for more than they are allotted. On the other hand, many times one or both adult head of household will make a budget not informing others in the family what they have to spend. Thus the asking for more money comes into play.
There are many places online that will help you make a budget. You can print off the forms and fill them I as a family. You will need copies of your monthly and weekly bills including vehicle insurance and homeowner insurance, property taxes and other bills that you pay annually or semi annually or you will not have an accurate budget.
Womens - Finance has some wonderful printed worksheets that will help guide you through the budgeting process. Just find the link you want on the left side of the main page.
The provident living site has some wonderful info on budgeting do’s and don’t. Click here to read it. It has some wonderful financial calculators for download and advice on managing your money.
In order to control your money, you must track it. You must know where every penny has gone. You cant just spend until it is all gone. Moneymastery.com had a wonderful 365 page ebook that is FREE to download for a limited time. Click here to download your copy now and save it to your computer for future use. It has everything from spending, saving, organization of your money to how to invest your money to why you should start a home based business and how to start one. It even has information on your home office. It is a wonderful book.
Do you and your family have a budget?
Do you follow it always?
Have you thought about starting a budget but did not know how?
How has having a budget helped your family to become more financially secure?
Is there a site that you have used that will help others start and keep a budget?
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Comments: 48
I do too but the commercials on radio and TV sure try to make you think you need things that you dont.
I know what you are talking about. I hate to fight over money too. Seems a waste of time.
Do you have any sites that you can refer us to on making a budget?
Do you have any advice for us?
I agree that the word "budget" does get a bad rap. It seems many people just hear the word and they loose interest. It is important to have one though
Check on that free EBook download. It is wonderful.
We try to spend as little as possible, but we do fun things still too. Sticking to a budget and not having any money to have a day out of fun isn't healthy either.
We have mostly a one-income household. I do make some in online ventures (survey, freelancing etc) but that's usually under $200 a month. We keep seperate bank accounts. Mine is for my bills and for fun money for us. His is mostly for bigger trips, house and utility bills.
Is it hard keeping 3 accounts balanced and kept under raps??
Good for you. It really helps dont it?
LOL It only works if you follow it. LOL
I know what you mean. Medical bills can break your bank fast. I know first handed.
We live on a one income check too. It maked it difficult.
We live on a one income check too. It maked it difficult.
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It can depending on the income. We get large tax returns and sock it away in the bank, plus my husband does fairly well at work and gets holiday bonus checks to add to it. So, we do okay on the one income.
Either way, not really. We pay our bills, we buy our food, we put a little away, and we buy what we want when we can.
It does work and does make a difference.
Thanks for your comment. I think alot of families live like that.
Check out the Free Ebook on money, it is wonderful. Has info on stating an inhome business and everything else that you can imagaine when it comes to money
I finally made a budget just before I retired last year because we were going to be living on a reduced income. We've stayed fairly close to the budgeted amounts, so we haven't had to dip into the savings we had put aside for emergencies.
I am glad. It is a wonderful book. I was impressed.
I still follow that plan, but now that I'm alone and (before gas went up to $3.59 a gal. ) I have a little more discretionary money, I allow myself some surprises once in a while. I wish all my family would do the same.
Good for you. A budget is important if we want our money to work for us instead of us working for the money.
Thanks I am glad that you can use them. Did you download the free Ebook??
Thanks for your comment. I am glad to see your black ribbon for the VT students.
I created my first budget when I was about 10 years old, and wanted a radio.
To me, a budget is not a way to restrict spending, it is a way to set priorities, achieve goals and create a financial road map.
I keep our household budget in excel. Its fairly simple. Much of the budget advice I have read is like dieting advice: too complicated or restrictive to be successful in the long term.
My adivce is keep it simple, keep it honest, and do not attempt a lot of big changes at once. Just like an exercise plan, a financial plan should start out with small steps, and be adjusted regularly.
I hope it will help people too. Thanks for your comment
I too started a budget when I was young and worked summer programs.
LOL Maybe he will purchase you a new oven on his next budget breaking trip. lol
It can be very difficult to keep on track with lifes trials that keep wanting our money.
That is so funny. So you are called cheap by your wife???
We used to have that problem and I know how hard it is to decide what bills are going to be paid and what is not. What we found out was that when we paid our 10% tithing as soon as the check arrived without regrets, we were blessed and somehow found the money to pay the other bills.
It took alot of trust and faith to do this when we knew that we could loose our car or other material things. But Heavenly Father has given us everythign that we have and we felt that we must pay him first. We were able to get back on track once we paid the Lord first.
I try and keep my bills down. I am planning on setting up a budget.