Any ideas on making a budget and sticking to it.?

Question

maybe there is a web site or something out there?

Answer 1

Discipline (Ie, stick with it), and Keep It Simple (Ie, you don't need to track in minute detail everything you buy)!
Use 1 credit card to buy everything so its easy to track your spending
Review your bank and credit card statements, and grocery/other receipts to determine where your money is going and where you can save.

Answer 2

First you need to split your expenses into two categories. I call them changeable and non-changeable expenses.

Non-changeable-

These are things like rent, phone (not cell phone), internet, television, car payments, insurance, etc. These are a set amount that you have to have, so there's not much you can do about them.

Changeable-

Groceries, clothes, entertainment, ect. These are things you can change and will help you stick to a budget. Depending on your financial situation and spending habits, you may be able to give yourself a little leeway. However, it you need to tighten your belt, clothing and entertainment are going to have to take a hit. Either cut them out entirely or give yourself a set amount each week/month that you can spend.

Other-

Cell phones, utilities. These two are a little bit of both. I consider them unchangeable for the most part, however, take a look at your cell phone bill (if it's itemized) See if you've got more minutes than you need, or if you can cut down on talking during peak hours and chat instead during free nights and weekends. Then you can change your plan accordingly. Same goes for the utility bill- you need it but you can change your usage to save yourself money. Turn off lights when you leave a room or are gone, turn down the heat or turn off the air, ect.

Answer 3

What I did was figure out approximately how much my bills were each month (i.e. rent $395 (counted as $400), phone bills $85 (counted as $100), cable/internet $90 (counted as $100), electricity $30 (counted as $50) for a total of $650). I started taking half of that amount from each paycheck (I get paid twice a month) and putting it into my checking account, the rest of the money that I hadwas my spending money. I always overestimated for my bills to the nearest $50 to make it easier and that way I always have money left over from my bills in my checking account. The hardest part is sticking to it and everyone has to find where they can put their money and not spend it. Good luck!!

Answer 4

If you are married, you and your spouse MUST sit down and discuss this so that you are approaching the situation together. One saving and one spending is a recipe for disaster. List all of your expenses for the month. Ours is set up on a weekly schedule because I am paid weekly. We have a list of what gets paid with each paycheck. Give yourself a little extra to spend frivolously, or you will break your budget when you do it. If you run into a problem after the first month, tweak your budget to get it to work better the next month. We have been on our budget for 12 years, and it continues to work.

Answer 5

Go out and buy Quicken or Money. Both have good budget modules in them. Sticking to it? Well, there's no magic answer there. But you have to create the budget, and then it's your 'inner strength' to live by it. They go on the premise that - in a way, you're ona budget now. So, how will you modify that to attain any goals that you have for the future.

good luck.

Answer 6

10 Tips for Setting a Budget and Sticking to It
http://www.relationsboard.com/general/10-tips-for-setting-a-budget-and-sticking-to-it-69.html

Answer 7

I made a simple Excel speadsheet for a monthly budget.
I made a column for each payperiod with the money I typically receive. Under that I list the expenses I expect to pay out each pay period. I split large amounts between multiple periods if necessarry . I do a simple calculation to show the difference I have left over for spending and saving. Each payperiod I use that spreadsheet to check off what I need to pay and enter into my checkbook. For me, it works great and I stay on track

Answer 8

Are you old enough to take on the responsibility for that budget?

If you can't do it yourself, give all of your money and paychecks to someone else, like your parents. Do your budget, and set an allowance. If you spend it all, you don't get any more money until your next "budget payday."

Answer 9

I say just play the lotery and wish you hit the jack pot!!! Good luck... I should get atleast $1000.00 is you win!

Answer 10

I like to play gamecubge because it is sexy