Budgeting tips

For the start of the New Year we have put some new rules into place for our family budget. Ofcourse there is the usual spend less, save more and cut back, but there are also some other useful things you can do to get your New Year off to a running(and saving!) start.

We have a budget notebook we use(just a plain wide ruled notebook), and each payday is written out with a list of every bill and expense that we have for those weeks. We also have a page for each month showing the bills for every month and total expense for every month.

So my page would look a little something like this

January

Ryan pay:
Ryan commissions:
Casey pay:
Casey commissions:

Bills~

Rent:
Car payment:
Car/renters insurance:
Storage:
Electric:
Water/sewer:
House Gas:
Sprint
Best buy phone insurance:
Netflix:
Comcast:

Groceries:
Car Gas:
Diapers/wipes:
Extra expenses:
Savings:
Emergency money:

Left over:

I fill in the average of each bill plus a little so it gives a little cushion, and then when the bill for the month comes i write the actual amount next to it, and check them off as they are paid. I also add any appointments we have to this and add the copay into the monthly budget. I then also break this down into bi-weekly payment  schedules(our bills are automatically deducted at the beginning or end of the month), breaking this down helps you to pay certain bills with each check and save a little more from each check. It also helps you not go completely broke for trying to pay everything on one payday!

TIPS:
~Always budget your savings and emergency savings money into your budget and take them out first(pay yourself first)
~Give yourself cushion room with each bill just incase the said bill is bigger than expected.
~Use the leftover money and leftover cushion money to put towards your next months bills or to put into savings.
~DO NOT TOUCH YOUR SAVINGS. I know its tempting but just let it be and let it grow! We have $50 bi-weekly that comes out of our paychecks automatically before it even gets put in our account. Talk to your bank to see if they offer something like ours.
~Use my monthly budget planner to help get yourself straight for the New Year and share, share, share!

Stay calm and mom on!!
Casey