Budget need not be an intimidating
word; it simply means putting your finances on a diet. Some need to shed more
weight than others, but the good news is that you control how your money is
handled.
Under the Microscope
Before any “cutting” occurs, one needs to assess his/her current situation. It is surprising how many people are not aware of how much their monthly expenditures are. A basic spreadsheet program will help organize categories and amount of monthly expenditures. Microsoft Word even has home budget templates to get started and to stay organized.
Create a category for critical expenditures; these are payments that must be made in order to ensure your health and safety. It would include mortgage/rent, insurances, food, electricity, water, clothing, and phone. A car might be a negotiable item depending on where you live and how you get from place to place.
Under the Microscope
Before any “cutting” occurs, one needs to assess his/her current situation. It is surprising how many people are not aware of how much their monthly expenditures are. A basic spreadsheet program will help organize categories and amount of monthly expenditures. Microsoft Word even has home budget templates to get started and to stay organized.
Create a category for critical expenditures; these are payments that must be made in order to ensure your health and safety. It would include mortgage/rent, insurances, food, electricity, water, clothing, and phone. A car might be a negotiable item depending on where you live and how you get from place to place.
