I keep writing up a budgets but can never actually stick them..I don't seem to have the discipline...any ideas

Answer 1

you may be setting your budget limits very low,set reasonable limits and keep trying

Answer 2

You need an accountability partner!

Someone who will look at your budget with you, point out where you are being unrealistic, and help you by calling you throughout the month (or pay period) to ask how you are doing. Also nice would be someone with which to celebrate your successes!

For instance, if I was your AP, I would point out that $10/month for food and $400/month for clothes are not reasonable amounts, and I could call you every Friday to see if you are still on track and check in to see how you are going to manage the weekend without blowing your budget. And if you got to your next payday with $10 left over in your wallet, I would high five you and do a snoopy dance when you put that saved money into your retirement account!

Answer 3

Besides having all my utilities and insurances automatically debited from my account, I have a trusted friend who handles my finances for me. We have been doing this since Aug because I really screwed things up in July and had to pay $240 in service and overdrawn fees.

I am 61 yrs old & wish that I had done something like this sooner since I seem to have piddled away my money & have nothing to show for it.

She will be getting me out of debt. Each month she tells me how much I have for groceries after all the debits & my necessities, e.g., gas, prescriptions, PetSmart and hair. She has my credit card and past stmts so that I no longer know my a/n. She must approve my use of the credit card. The deal is that if I do something not in the budget she's done with me. I'm smart enough to know better.

Good luck to you; I know where you're at.

Answer 4

Don't be confused...a budget is a plan and is not cast in concrete.

Budget "must pay" items first and pay them first. Be realistic in budgeting discretionary spending and when you overspend in one area, cut back in another.

If you are carrying cash that just seems to disappear...don't carry cash either put it on the car and pay off in full each billing cycle or use a debit card or write checks...both might get you to think before spending.

one thing I do is NEVER buy anything when I first decide I want it (other than maybe a hamburger). Wait a couple of days, I often discover that I really didn't want it.

Answer 5

Well, you are on the right track. Most people don't even know what discipline is.
OK. It depends upon you; some people do something easy, such as putting money into different jars. Jar A for food, Jar B or utilities, Jar C for rent/mortgage, Jar D for car payments, Jar E for entertainment, etc.
After obligations are met (mortgage, utilities, insurance, taxes, food, etc.) when you run out of money in Jar E for entertainment, that is it: no more until next month.
There are many variations on this scheme; keep trying until you find something that works for you.
Remember to "pay yourself first"; that is, save some money each month. If necessary, but U.S. Savings Bonds; you can't cash them for 6 months!
Good luck.

Answer 6

You need to figure out whether you buy things you have to have and your budget is too restrictive, or whether you buy stuff you don't need and your budget is fine.

If you buy things you don't need, then think about why you do that. Do you get a rush from shopping? Do you want new things to show off to your friends? Do you shop just to kill time? When you figure out why you are spending money you don't want to spend, you'll beat your problem. Seriously, think about what is urging you to spend. Recognize it for what it is, and it will lose its control over you. You'll realize you do have the willpower to be in control.

If you get a rush from shopping, you can get that same rush from recognizing when you feel the urge to shop, then making a conscious decision to not go, and feeling good about maintaining your budget and discipline.

I learned a long time ago that one thing is true: You always have time, and money, for what's important to you. It means we choose how to spend our time and money, even when we trick ourselves into thinking we have no choice. If you come to value discipline over instant gratification, you will find satisfaction in keeping a lid on your spending. Good luck to you!

Answer 7

I am in that boat too, but my saving grace is I allow myself to go over by 15%. For example, I have 26% of my income for living expenses, and I save 15% every month. So if I spend 30% of my income, I still save 11% of my income!

Other than that, you just need to think of ways to spend less money. If you eat out, are you going to the cheap places? If you spend money at a vending machine (like I do), could you get the goodies cheaper at a grocery store? That's what I usually think about.

Answer 8

Use automatic withdraw from your check at the bank
set up as many bills to pay automatically as you can, the others pay when they come in
Set your machine withdraw limit to a number that is the minimum you need, to stop the temptation

Answer 9

Check out Dave Ramsey. He will teach you how to build a budget that works and how to operate off of CASH.

www.daveramsey.com

Answer 10

Put the money in jars labeled what ever you put for budget and only use for that purpose.