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December 2011 Moms
Moozilla11
member
Budgeting tips
Moozilla11
member
So as some of you may have seen... I need to enforce a stricter budget. Those who have a strict budget how do you do it and stick to it? Do you use any special programs for it? Looking for hints tips and tricks 
TIA
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Re: Budgeting tips
I'm the one who keeps up with all of the finances in our house. I write the checks for the bills, balance the checkbooks, etc. I started writing down everything we spent a penny on in a notebook when we were first married so we could track where our money was going. It was surprising to see how much we were spending on what. I've upgraded to my own spreadsheet. I try to update DH at least twice a month.
It took a while, and sometimes he still forgets, but DH and I have an agreement that we talk to each other before "big" purchases (over $50) unless it's gas/groceries/diapers (things like that). He hands over all receipts because he knows how paranoid I can get when I see that money was spent that I didn't know about when our bank statements come. (We had a double charge from Target one time and didn't shop there for a long time. The only reason we got our money back was because we filed a police report. Long story.)
A lot of people use the envelope rule, but we only use that for going out to eat. Everything is budgeted including groceries and gas for the month, but going out to eat seems to be the one thing we go over on too often. Having the cash in an envelope and seeing it go down makes it easier for us to control our urge to not have to do the dishes for the night!
It's tough, but we really try to stick to the budget. It works though - yesterday my husband and I paid the final payment on his student loan! (Lots of high fiving going on in our house yesterday!) Instead of putting that money to going out to eat or a new tv or a "thing," we're going to pretend we still have that monthly payment and put it towards DD's college, or start a "new car" fund for when one of ours (10 and 11 years old) craps out.
I'm a big fan of Dave Ramsey but started listening to him after I'd started with my own spreadsheet. I think he has a budget on his website that's pretty thorough.
Good luck!
Thanks ladies. If H would take lunch to work instead of paying 20-30 a meal every day it would be easier on the budget I had in place. Also I believe he is banned from shopping on his own for a while.
Is there a site for a 'dumbed down' excel? I know basics on how to use it but can never figure out the formulas for it.
Do you have a Google/Gmail account? DH and I use a Google Spreadsheet (in Google Docs) for stuff like this. That way, we both have access to editing the spreadsheet from our own computers. DH is an Excel whiz (he's an accountant), but the Google Spreadsheet tends to be simpler to use...just not as fancy. I think there are online tutorials built right in.
Thanks! Never looked into the google docs. Will have to do that so we both can access it.
Holy cow, where is he eating lunch?
Jan17 Sept Sig: Pumpkin Spice gone too far
I second mint.com. It lets you decide how much of your income goes where and watches it for you. It's also very safe and free!
Otherwise...
I'm a big couponer. I order coupons from coupon clippers on the internet (Coupon Carry Out, The Coupon Clippers). I try my best to combine sales WITH coupons. I haven't paid for toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, body wash, etc in years (all brand names too-Crest, Dove, etc). CVS is really the best for this.
I suck at this but lately I've been getting better and it really helps. I make all my meal plans for two weeks and buy only those items. When DH gets paid I go to the store...buy it all then I know how much we have left over to put towards savings, etc. And by planning out the meals it leaves the guessing and impluse buying out. We also buy meat in bulk now. And we always stock up when I can get an awesome deal on something we know we'll use.
I'm also looking into trying some DIY stuff--like making my our laundry detergent and cleaners. This is a win win for me because I'm kinda scared of what's in that stuff.
Will this stuff replace an income-no. But it's really helped us out. I think I saved something like $4,000 last year.
When I quit working we reevaluated each of our bills. Just talking to our cell phone company about it they cut $20 off the bill each month. Since I was in good standing I asked my credit card company for a better rate (just incase an emergancy came up and I needed it) and they dropped it significantly.
If you buy diapers/formula you might be able to look into WIC? We don't qualify for it but I have friends that have been laid off and used it until they got back on their feet.
The way I see it is every little bit helps and can add up. Just look at where your money usually goes and ask yourself if you can get the item cheaper.
Good luck!
LOL I guess at his work they put in a Mongolian BBQ thing in the Cafeteria and he also orders sushi on a daily basis for a snack. I had no clue a person could eat so much in a day. First thing he does when he gets home from work is gets a snack because he is 'starving'...ugh I am trying to not be mad at him right now but I cant help it..
I think you have every right to be mad.
I would love mongolian bbq and sushi everyday! But I don't, because I need things like groceries and health insurance... Maybe show him the report of what you're spending money on, mint is really good for this, so that he realizes how much of your budget is going to his ridiculous lunch habit.
i think most people have hit on what i have to say, but...
-coupons. we meal plan around sales. i also need to get back into doing the CVS deals. i used to do it all the time, but lately time is just not plentiful.
-we shop different stores. i can hit 6 different stores for food depending on which route i choose to/from work. whatever has the best sales gets my business.
-we don't eat out. seriously, we eat out one dinner a month. any lunches out come from our fun money. this includes ordering pizza.
-i keep close track of what is spent in an excel spreadsheet. i tracked all of our expenses for 3 months without a budget, then went with what was feasible to cut back on first to get ourselves a bit tighter. i made my own to fit what i needed.
for savings, i tracked what we needed for all fixed expenses (car registrations, subscriptions, insurance, etc.) and divided that up by 12. we put a set amount in each month. we then set goals for other savings lines-home improvement, emergency fund, travel, gifts. if DH has extra overtime in a month, we put that money in the area with the most need... right now it's home improvement because we need to replace our HVAC system.