Ever wonder where all of the money went and you just don’t know what you spent it on? You’re not alone, but it’s still not a good thing. Here are a few simple ways to help you to keep track of your money on an individual level. We’ll address businesses in another article.
Quicken: You need to develop a budget and keep track of your money. A good software program Is Quicken, where you can create a budget and compare it to your actual income and expenses.
Envelope Method: Another old-fashioned, but yet effective budgeting method is to use the envelope system for your expenses. You would use an envelope for each of your expenses, such as gas, groceries, and dining, and then contribute a set amount of cash to each envelope each time you get paid. Once the envelope is empty then you wouldn’t be able to spend more for that category. This takes some practice though, because you need to make sure that you contribute enough and don’t “steal” from other envelopes.
Automatic: This method calls for automatic withdrawals and payments from your checking account and/or paycheck. For example, you can have a portion of your paycheck directly sent to a savings account or have investments withdrawn each month from your checking account. Expenses and even donations to your Church can also be made automatically.
Each method has its pros and cons, which is why you need to choose the one that fits you. I believe that one reason why people do not like to budget is because they view budgeting as a way of restricting themselves, similar to a diet. The opposite is actually true because a budget will ensure that you are spending your money on the things that matter the most to you.