I started using a budgeting system called The B Word. With this system, you recognize your income and pay all your bills on the 1st and the 15th of every month -- no matter when the bills are actually do or you actually get your paycheck. I got paid this past Friday and I'm now waiting until Wednesday (the 15th) to pay the rest of the month's bills and take cash out of the bank for our spending money.
I've only begun using this system in the last month or so. I was a bit confused by it at first, but now I think it will be much simpler than having a full fledged budget. You manage your cash flow instead of managing actual purchases. And since we will be spending all discretionary money with cash (in "envelopes"), I'm not as concerned about tracking each purchase.
The 'B' Word
March 13th, 2006 at 05:40 am
March 13th, 2006 at 06:49 am
When I have extra left in the checking account, I transfer it to another account. Works for me! I am just now getting into the habit of checking my online banking/finances on a weekly basis. "Visiting" my money, so to speak!
March 14th, 2006 at 09:54 pm
I just started *really* budgeting in Dec '05, but I'm not using Mvelopes. Not sure if you've heard of it before, but it's pretty sweet. After using it for only a short time, I'm not sure how I could live without it.
You might want to check out the free eBook I got from them. It's called Money for Life and can be downloaded from my site.
Good luck, and don't say the "B-word"! ;-)
March 14th, 2006 at 09:56 pm
March 30th, 2006 at 08:19 am
Lee