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Considering improving finance care. Thoughts?
I know I need help managing the finances for my family. We live pay check to pay ck with some savings that builds up then gets sucked out by some emergency ever few months. I need to do better. ANything work for you?
We are looking at Dave Ramsey?s but I know there are others out there. Please help me.
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Re: Considering improving finance care. Thoughts?
A good friend of mine and his family got their acts together after sitting down with a personal financal planner. It costs a little money, but they give you the tools and the personalized plan based off of the goals you set. It took doing this to get them out of considerable debt and to create some savings. Perhaps you should try this?
Sometimes it is most helpful to have someone tell you specifically what you should do in your situation.
Money Matters The other half's blog.
EJ is growing up too fast!
Interesting because I love my personal trainer at the gym. Although she is giving my a pg break because I cant do much right now.
Also when I first started working out the trainer wanted my girl buddy and me to work out consistantly for 6 months before she would take us. I really do think we got a lot more out of our expensie sessions when our over all fitness was at a certain level. I have to wonder in a personal finance person is the same.
I really think down the road a personal finance person may be the way to go but first I need to educate myself a little with a basic plan. I am so ignorant when it comes to finances.
Do you have a budget ? Start by tracking what you are spending. Every penny. Coffee, gum, bills large and small. Mint.com is a great way to do this, IMO.
Then be honest with yourself about where you can cut back and set a budget that allows you to get ahead on goals you aren't meeting now. The money matters Board is a good resource as well. Smart couples finish rich is a good book as well.
I agree with this. Also try the envelope system, a lot of people like that for controlling spending.
We have a planner/accountant and she met with us when we were clueless. They're not like personal trainers- they can start wherever you're at. Having tracked your spending for a few weeks or months before the meeting will certainly help, though.
mint is super easy and does it all for you, you just have to tweak it.
I'd probably use that for a month and then see a professional. They are there to help you figure this stuff out.
Our friends spent $3k and sat down with a certified financial planner to plan a budget and more importantly for them, fix their credit so they could buy a home. They said it was expensive but worth the $3000 because they went from OK to excellent credit ratings, bought a home and have a budget. We'll sit down with that person when we get that much saved up.
Setting a budget is a great start. Setting up regular bills, expenses, and wants vs. needs. We stopped using our debit cards and go to the back any time we need cash. It's a pain to make that constant stop but we've stopped over drawing or close to OD the account and we've had close to $200 in the bank by the time we get our next checks.
I am loving mint . com. Wow how cool.