New Year, New You – Budget Resolutions
Sometimes the little things really do ad up and if you follow these ten steps you may find a wealthier and money smart you is right around the corner. Following these steps may help you achieve less stress and better health.
Try these ten rules to live by in 2011: Continue reading “New Year, New You – Budget Resolutions” »
Bill Cosby Talks Budgeting – Cosby Show Clip
Our Director of Education, Todd Christensen, came across this clip of “The Cosby Show” which shows Dr. Huxtable discussing budgeting with his son Theo.
Click the Link Below to View on YouTube: Continue reading “Bill Cosby Talks Budgeting – Cosby Show Clip” »
Your Weekly Financial Review
How often are you looking at your personal finances and your budget? Each month? Every two weeks? Do you know how much money you have to spend this week? What’s in your budget for your next trip to the grocery store?
Financial stability and long-term financial success essentially require that you establish a monthly spending plan and that every week you look at it, adjust it, and ensure you’re living by it. Continue reading “Your Weekly Financial Review” »
Back to Basics: The Cash Only Method
If you’re like a lot of people, the thought of writing each expenditure down or filling out a complex budget planner seems overwhelming and something akin to water boarding. If you are one of those people that hate writing down and tracking your spending, these tips are for you: Continue reading “Back to Basics: The Cash Only Method” »
Creating a “Back up Budget”
With layoffs on the increase and the national job market on unsteady feet, our financial futures can sometimes seem uncertain. When employees get laid off, too often it takes a week or two to get a psychological handle on the situation, which means that, financially, it may be too late to adapt. Continue reading “Creating a “Back up Budget”” »
Benefits of Budgeting
If you budget your money and live within your budget, you will be much more likely to:
- Avoid excessive debt.
- Build emergency and long-term savings accounts.
- Take care of financial priorities such as housing, food, and transportation, rather than disproportionate spending on entertainment and dining out. Continue reading “Benefits of Budgeting” »
Budgeting 102 – Steps to Making a Monthly Budget
For many, monthly budgeting appears to be a complicated task – too overwhelming even to attempt. Below you’ll find a step-by-step description of how to make a budget you can live with.
1. Be honest. Don’t try to make your budget “look good.” The budget is for you, so be honest with yourself.
2. Set 3-5 financial goals and priorities you hope to achieve, e.g. make a 10% down payment on a home in 5 years. Continue reading “Budgeting 102 – Steps to Making a Monthly Budget” »
Budgeting 101 – The Myths and Realities of Budgeting
There are a number of reasons why many of us do not create or live by a budget. Many of these reasons are based upon false assumptions, or myths. The following are a few such myths and their corresponding realities that may help us overcome our own resistance to budgeting.
Myth # 1: If I had more money, all of my problems would be solved.
Reality: Actually, spending less than I earn may solve many of my money problems. Continue reading “Budgeting 101 – The Myths and Realities of Budgeting” »