Posts Tagged ‘budgeting’

Update the Budget


22 Apr

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Finances | Comments Off

Every one will tell you that having a budget is one of the major early (though not the first) steps in getting your personal finances under control. But how do you know you’re budget is working for you? How do you account for the inflation in gas and grocery prices?

A budget is not a Ron Popeil gadget. You can’t “set it and forget it”. You have to pay attention. And sometimes, you have to update it.

This week’s featured thread is from the Smart Spending forum, and it is about when and how people decide to update their budgets.

California Dreaming


23 Mar

Tags: , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Finances, Home Ownership, Travel | Comments Off

I recently planned a vacation we will never take. Well, never may be a strong word, but the likelihood is probably 15% or less.

I like planning. I like dreaming. I know how much we can technically afford, and I love the idea of going places.

So why won’t we take the trip? Mostly because the money we have would be better spent preventing the basement from flooding, paying for college, or saving for a trip to Europe in a couple of years.

Still, I like my $1,000 dream, and will hold on to it for a day or two.

 

Feeling Overwhelmed By Debt


25 Feb

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Debt Reduction, Finances | Comments Off

Kind of a classic YM thread, even though there doesn’t appear to have been much movement on it.

In this case, we have a first time poster talking about feeling overwhelmed by debt, feels like she never has money, and yet is also certain that she would have nothing to do if she didn’t spend money on entertainment.

The regular posters are actually being pretty nice, asking for a budget breakdown, letting her know it is normal to feel this way, and offering a way out. I hope she’s moved over to the Women in Red boards as was suggested.

Monthly vs Yearly Budgeting


18 Feb

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Budgeting, Finances | Comments Off

I get paid every two weeks, so my monthly budget is based on two paychecks. That means that twice a year, I get an “extra” paycheck. Are they really extra? Of course not, they’re just not accounted for in my monthly budget.

I also have a yearly budget, and those two “extra” checks, they are definitely accounted for in it. They go toward helping us meet debt payoff and savings goals.

Sure, I could account for them in the monthly budget, but the way its set up works, and when it comes to the budget, working is what I need.

100 Words On

topics explored in exactly 100 words