Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Your Frugal Budget

We have professed our 'frugal lifestyles', but most don't like the word BUDGET!
It can be a scary word - most people think of charts and ledgers, stock markets, and definitive answers. 
Frugal is being a good steward of you things and money, and making it go as far as possible.  Much less intimidating.
Well, in my opinion, they go hand in hand.  You take care of your money and your money takes care of you.  Some of the wealthiest people on the planet got that way by being frugal.

It doesn't matter how much money you have or how little - you still need to budget.  That strictly means not spending more than you make or have.  Living within or below your means!  If you make smart choices - your future will be brighter!

Whether on a piece of paper, a journal, or on the computer - make a list of all your spendable income.  Opposite that list all your expenditures.  There are 2 types of expenses.
FIXED - are things like mortgage, car payments, insurance, utilities - things that are pretty much the same every month.
DISCRETIONARY - are items that change from month to month, like food, eating out, maybe even charge card bills.
If your expenses are more than your income, you need to make changes for sure.
You can earn more - get another job OR you can spend less (easiest choice).

If given the chance have your bills deducted straight from your account each month - AND make sure that you have that written on your calendar for each and every month.  You don't want to forget a deduction.
ALSO have your checks placed directly into your bank account.  If you don't have it in your hand - you are less likely to spend.
You can merge both on-line banking with check writing - it is strictly what works best for you.  What works best for you  MAY NOT be what you have been doing in the past - so think about it.

Keep track of ABSOLUTELY EVERY PURCHASE MADE for a couple months.  I am talking about utilities, insurance, that morning pop or coffee, a pack of cigarettes, a pack of gum, etc.  Write WHAT you bought and HOW MUCH you spent.  At the end of those couple months, you will see exactly where your money is going - and trust me - it will make you sick when you see the waste!
That is when you get busy and cut stuff out, and pay things off, and save.

1.  Pay everything that HAS to be paid and is FIXED.
2.  Pay off your other debts as quickly as possible.  Do what works for you - we used to pay minimum on most and over on the highest interest ones and pay them off first.  Then work on the next one!
3.  Pay YOURSELF as well.  Yes indeed.  Try you absolute best to pay yourself 10%.  Place that in the bank for emergencies.
4.  If you can get into a 401K (or similar) plan, especially one that matches funds - do NOT hesitate!  These monies come out before taxes, and it makes very little difference in your take home pay.  If the company matches - that is just FREE money!!!!!!  It is a no brainer.  This could be all you have for retirement - folks in the U.S. please don't depend on always having Social Security.  You need to plan on taking care of yourself.
5.  If not weekly, at least once or twice a year GIVE to something to help others.  Whether you tithe at church or give to some other organization or directly to someone - do something caring and selfless.  I know this may sound crazy - as you are trying to get ahead - but it makes you a better person and it makes you a happier person - the rest will all fall into place.  Trust me!!!!!!

Yep this is all money.  Spare change, rolled coin, dollars, and even coupons - it is all money in your budget!

If your expenses are larger than income - you need to make some big decisions.  If you want to make more money - think second or third job.  NO it isn't fun.  NO you won't have free time.  YES it will pay off - hopefully in the short run.
Sell things you don't use or need.
Do what ever you need to (and legal) to increase income.

Spend LESS!  You can do it.  Cut back on groceries - make no spend weeks/months.  Eat what you have - it may not be fancy - but you will survive.
NO eating out.
NO outside entertainments (for a while)
NO buying new clothes, toys, gifts, etc.  IF you need a gift, make something.
QUIT using charge cards.  Spend cash only - and never carry more cash that you can truly afford to spend.
Cut out bad habits - that is a huge vacuum on cash flow.
If something breaks or quits - figure out another way.  Do without for a bit.  It won't kill you!


Make yourself a goal - it doesn't matter if it is paying off a charge card, paying off the house or car, paying off student loans, reaching $1,000 in savings, or retirement in the near future.  MAKE GOALS!  They are important.  They give you something to strive for and look forward to.

We ALL make budgets a lot more difficult than we have to.  It is really simple to understand - never spend more than you make.  Live beneath your means.
NO you don't have to live like a pauper always.  You can live a good life, just differently.  As you start making changes, you will see the world with a new set of eyes.  Most of all you will be happier and less stressed!

                              This was in the morning paper!  How timely and appropriate!

We all need to quit saying I WANT - and stick with needs. 
We all need say I WON'T  or I DON'T  need or want to do or participate. 
We all need to make sacrifices in order to get ahead.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO STAY ON TRACK WITH YOUR FINANCES?
We all need to learn from each other!


7 comments:

  1. I'm on track, and then I get derailed but the object is to get back on the track asap. Great post. Love your blog so much. It gives me power and inspiration. I so need that today so thank you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so correct- we all have slip ups, but your advice is right on. Get back up and start again!!!

      Ahhhh thank you so much! That makes me feel so good - and I really needed that. A gift given both ways!
      Blessings

      Delete
  2. I love my budget. I read that earning more money doesnt usually help people to get ahead as they usually just spend more. This is why some people who earn plenty have nothing and others who earn less have paid off their home and seem to do so well. Another thing I notice is people think so many things are just necessary expenses from bought coffee and lunches to expensive hairdressing. My friends co worker spends $240 a month on hairdressing and she sees it as necessary. Dog groomers, hedge trimmers.... it goes on and on. None of them are actually necessary. They are luxuries. It is interesting! The more we can do for ourselves the better the budget! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annabel I agree. So many things in life are wants and luxuries - not necessary at all. They are all things we could do ourselves.

      We never earned a ton of money, but we worked hard to pay off our home and vehicles and put money away for the future.

      Great logic!
      Thanks

      Delete
  3. Great post Cheryl. You got me thinking about how we budget. We got into quite a habit of saving that worked for us. We paid off our mortgage and we kept putting the same amount as our mortgage into an account that we didn't touch. This money became our house finishing fund. We had lived in a renovation for 20 years, doing what we could as we managed to save for it. When we decided it was time to sell up and move interstate, we had the funds needed to finish the house and to pay for the expense of storing and moving household goods.
    We don't have the same income to do this anymore but have worked out what we can afford to put away each fortnight. We do this religiously. Small amounts add up over time.
    A budget means you can save towards needed or wanted items. A budget means that there are no interest payments on credit cards, which to me is wasted and fritted away money.
    I agree with Annabel that so much of what others consider are necessities, really are not. Looking at what you need to spend is giving yourself the means to financial independence and the ability to purchase wants without falling into a credit trap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane you said the best two words on the planet. FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE!!!!!
      Those two words are why we all do what we do!

      Your story is wonderful and goes to show what hard word and determination can do. You should be proud.
      Thank you for sharing.

      Delete
  4. Hello everyone am ASHA from USA am using this medium to announce to the world and those in need of financial stability to look no further but contact davidbenjaminltd@outlook.com who helped me with the Blank ATM card in less than 1 week after being scammed of my money by others and yet no card. Are you in need of a loan? Or some sort of financial distress and need saving, SEIZE this opportunity and get rich in no time. There are no hidden charges and they deal on transparency basis. I am forever grateful to DAVID BENJAMIN for changing my life a whole new after being scammed by 2 companies who took advantage of me Contact via email on
    davidbenjaminltd@outlook.com

    ReplyDelete