Budget and Accountant

[maverick222111]

Hello Forum...

I have a question and I hope someone has an answer. My wife and I are horrible staying on a budget. We have been married for 16 years. We have started FPU and we didn't even finish the course. We constantly fall back into our old "bad" habits. I need someone to keep us accountable. I was thinking about getting an accountant to do everything for us. I know businesses do this... do families do this as well? If so, what do you suggest?

Thank You!

[disneysteve]

How is an accountant going to help? He/she isn't going to follow you around and control your spending. You and your wife need to do that.

My suggestion? Start FPU again. The money you paid to attend gets you lifetime membership so you can go through the course as many times as you need to for no additional cost.

[phantom]

I agree that restarting FPU is the way to go. You don't need someone with fancy number skills to tell you when the amount you're spending is greater than the amount you budgeted. But, a friend who is going through the same things you are and can give you encouragement or a slap when needed, would probably help. An FPU class might be the perfect place to find such a friend.

If an FPU class isn't an option right now, consider starting a blog right here on this site and posting about your progress. You should be able to find plenty of people to cheer on your successes and help you get back on track when you slip up.

[Petunia 100]

Hello Forum...

I have a question and I hope someone has an answer. My wife and I are horrible staying on a budget. We have been married for 16 years. We have started FPU and we didn't even finish the course. We constantly fall back into our old "bad" habits. I need someone to keep us accountable. I was thinking about getting an accountant to do everything for us. I know businesses do this... do families do this as well? If so, what do you suggest?

Thank You!

How much are you planning to spend monthly for an accountant to track your spending and do your bill paying? That seems like a drastic solution.

[marvholly]

self policing option: use the envelope system. Basically cash your paycheck(s) and put the budgeted amount in each envelope. Evelopes are labeled something like:

savings (IMMEDIATLY deposit in account)
rent/mortgage
insurance
auto license/maintenance
utilities
transportation (bus/train pass, gasoline)
groceries
entertainment/eating out/carry out
peronal pocket money (includes clothes, envelope for each)
whatever different categories you need (medical/dental, Rx, daycare?)

When the $ is gone from a particular envelope there is NO more spending in that category until the next check. NO 'borrowing' from aother category is allowed. if you run out of 'necessary' funds in a particularly important/vital envelope (transportation) adjust the budget (less in personal and/or entertainment).