Budget - How to Budget: A Budgeting Primer
- DontSpendMore.com

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Budget, budget, budget. The list of expenses is endless, while resources are not. No matter how hard we budget, making ends meet seems so cumbersome. We often work two -- or even three -- jobs. Relax, this is bad, but not as bad as you think. Creative budgeting can land up saving you much more than you think. Generally, impulse expenses hit us the hardest and land up throwing all our budgeting off-board. Avoid them! If you see something you feel like buying at an impulse, don't! Tell yourself, "I'll think about it." You will often surprise yourself by realizing later that you didn't really need that item at all. It was just an impulsive decision.

How does one budget? For starters, make a list of things you spend money on. Maintain a journal and every time you spend money on something, make a note of it. Analyze your spending habits daily, weekly, monthly. You will be surprised to see how much of the money you spend could be saved or used in a more productive manner.

Budget analysis. A careful analysis of your spending pattern will be the first place to start the analysis and budget exercise. See what expenses could be avoided; sometimes, doing things differently is all it would take to save money. Remember, necessity is the mother of invention. Once you know your spending habits, make a budget. What if you didn't budget? What would happen? You know the answer, don't you. Now, what if you did budget carefully? What would happen, then? Gives a better answer, doesn't it? You don't have to live like a miser; just being careful is enough. Smart budgeting doesn't mean killing your desires, it is all about being prudent.

A control system. Set-up a punishments and rewards system. If you achieve your budget goals, reward yourself with a little treat and if you don't, take on a punishment -- don't cheat. Remember, it is all about you being in control.

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