who is watching and not done a budget

**Ima saver** · 09-19-2006, 01:28 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

There are no dumb questions, feel free to ask, there are some mighty smart people on here!!

**JanH** · 09-19-2006, 01:42 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

I think that so many people get embarrassed when they think about it so they don't want to face it. Or they see it as insurmountable. But you guys are testimony that it is not too late, small changes add up to big ones, and the people here are willing to help, not criticize. That's why I have been able to make changes so quickly. Your support has been awesome and I've learned so much. And--I set up a more detailed budget two days ago! I just had a vague one and no real plan for saving or serious debt repayment. Thank you!

**Ima saver** · 09-19-2006, 01:59 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

I hope I am a testimony that it is never too late to start. I knew nothing about mutual funds, IRA's when i started investing and I was 44 years old. I lived (still do) in a very rural area and there were no books on investing in the library.
We moved to the mountains when I turned 40 and we lived for one year on our savings, so we kind of started all over when i was 44. It did help that we did not have a lot of debt, but we sure did not make much money either.
don't be embarassed if you don' t make much money either! You can start small and still make it!
Almost anyone can save $50 a month, that is less than $2 a day!

**JanH** · 09-19-2006, 03:34 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

Originally posted by Ima saver

I hope I am a testimony that it is never too late to start. I knew nothing about mutual funds, IRA's when i started investing and I was 44 years old. I lived (still do) in a very rural area and there were no books on investing in the library.
We moved to the mountains when I turned 40 and we lived for one year on our savings, so we kind of started all over when i was 44. It did help that we did not have a lot of debt, but we sure did not make much money either.
don't be embarassed if you don' t make much money either! You can start small and still make it!
Almost anyone can save $50 a month, that is less than $2 a day!

We're blessed that people like you are willing to pass on your knowledge. And in such fun and unjudgemental ways. Thank you!

**LuxLiving** · 09-20-2006, 06:45 AM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

Don't you think that there are many, many people who don't understand what freedom the spending plan/budget scenario affords them after it has been in place awhile?

It is an adjustment at first, but once you get to swinging with it the ease of which finances take care of themselves is REMARKABLE! It's one of those things like learning to float on the water. At first you fight and fight it! But, once you get the concept the floating is so soothing and comfortable you wonder why you ever had such a problem with it in the first place!

So, anyone who hasn't started yet, JUMP IN the water's fine!!

**PrincessPerky** · 09-20-2006, 06:49 AM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

I was on here for eons trying to cut bills before I made a budget, I knew it would not balance..I knew we were still spending more than we made..so I didn't do it.

I finally did make one, and while it was a bit depressing to know I had a deficit it helped to have it all written down to see where we were..and I made a new one a few months later, I was so happy when I found it was finally in the black

**Ima saver** · 09-20-2006, 07:33 AM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

It takes a little while, but eventually you can do it. I started some of my mutual funds with very little and I did just like disney steve, I automatically added $50 a month to two of them.

**boefixepa** · 09-20-2006, 11:05 AM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

I fought so hard for years thinking I was actually doing it right! I thought that the money I had left in my checking was my 'budget' until next payday! I was always short when insurance came due, or car tags, or car repairs.

I even remember going to a free class at church once on budgets and just not getting it. I just could NOT separte the checking account from the budget. Oh my, when I read Money 4 Life and came to understand the envelope system and the light buld FINALLY came on it was...freedom.

I just wonder if all those people out there are like I was, the light bulb just hasn't come on for whatever reason. I honestly felt like I wasn't doing poorly before, but that they just wasn't enough money. It was a shocker to me when I FINALLY grasped that the money you make is completely irrelevant...it really is. Ima is a great testiment to that. More money certainly can make some things easier, but living below your means is not dependent on how much you make.

So for those who have not felt the FREEDOM the STRESS FREE LIFE, which comes from knowing the bills will get paid and you will have food on the table, learn what a REAL budget is and do it! You will thank yourself a thousand times over!

**JanH** · 09-20-2006, 11:29 AM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

Originally posted by boefixepa

I fought so hard for years thinking I was actually doing it right! I thought that the money I had left in my checking was my 'budget' until next payday! I was always short when insurance came due, or car tags, or car repairs.

I even remember going to a free class at church once on budgets and just not getting it. I just could NOT separte the checking account from the budget. Oh my, when I read Money 4 Life and came to understand the envelope system and the light buld FINALLY came on it was...freedom.

I just wonder if all those people out there are like I was, the light bulb just hasn't come on for whatever reason. I honestly felt like I wasn't doing poorly before, but that they just wasn't enough money. It was a shocker to me when I FINALLY grasped that the money you make is completely irrelevant...it really is. Ima is a great testiment to that. More money certainly can make some things easier, but living below your means is not dependent on how much you make.

So for those who have not felt the FREEDOM the STRESS FREE LIFE, which comes from knowing the bills will get paid and you will have food on the table, learn what a REAL budget is and do it! You will thank yourself a thousand times over!

You are so right! My bills got paid, but I couldn't figure out why I couldn't save anything. Then the big stuff went on CC. Then the little stuff. Couldn't figure it out cos Hubby has a good job. Went to church seminar also. Budget came from leftover in account, too. My lightbulb has flickered on. This site really helps!

**boefixepa** · 09-20-2006, 12:56 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

Lisa,

You may not know the exact numbers yet, but you can guess. Set up your categories and then talk to a neighbor. Ask them you are trying to guess what your utilities are and if they could please let you know what to expect. Also call the utilities and ask if they are charging a deposit, don't let that surpise you. Also figure a bit of fluff for the household things you didn't realize you needed to get...that was a shocker to me.

BTW, nice to see you out of the in-laws house, I hope things go well for you!

**poohhbear1221** · 09-25-2006, 10:31 AM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

I have not started a budget yet for the simple reason am clueless.. dont know what to put on it and stuff like that.. know what my bills are ie.. electric, phone, rent, cable but what else goes on it.. have very little income and alot of bills guess i am a little overwhelmed

**frugalmomof1** · 09-25-2006, 01:47 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

I have been reviewing what I have paid out over the past year, but have not actually sat down and figured out a budget for groceries and other 'non fixed' expenses. I have been trying (pretty successfully) to reduce spending in every way that I can in an effort to pay off some debt (HELOC-for some much needed updates, and the car payment). I noticed a big difference when my checking account statement was 1-1/2 pages shorter this month than usual.

I knew we needed to review our spending habits when I had to take full advantage of the 15 day grace periods for mortgage and car payments, and sometimes had to take money out of my savings to pay on time!!! DH and I make more than enough to cover our bills, so I had no idea what the problem was.

When I began to look back at the bank statements, I got the idea. (By the way, last month I was able to pay the mortgage within 7 days, and the car payment on time....For October I should have the mortgage payment by the 1st!)
So.......I am working on the budget....I am hoping to have one in place by the 1st of the year.

**Ima saver** · 09-25-2006, 02:30 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

You need to take a month or two to track your spending. Write down all your bills, including the ones that happen once or twice a year. (car insurance, house taxes, house insurance)
I allow $160 for my elec. bill cause that is the highest it has ever been. When it is under, i add that money to savings or to the heat envelope.
Arrange your budget amounts in order of importance. Shelter, food, elec, water, etc.

**boefixepa** · 09-25-2006, 02:51 PM

Re: who is watching and not done a budget

Where's that thread where we all listed our budgets...hold on I'll search for it...

http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21658&highlight=Utilities

Okay, click on that and you can see what lots of us use for a budget. I think mine is pretty detailed, but I want to know where my money is going!

Keeping a very detailed spending joural is a necessary first step if you want your budget to be attainable. Once you can see where it is going then you can work on cutting back in different areas.

who is watching and not done a budget