Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

How To Choose And Have The Type Of Retirement You Really Want!
Ok, let’s face it. Everyone’s perception of retirement is different. Some people think that retirement is a time to withdraw and relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They see it as a time to enjoy low-keyed activities that truly make...
There's More to Preparedness than Food!
Would you be prepared to walk out the door with all the information you would need in an emergency? Most people aren't. You may use this article as long as the byline remains intact with active links. Please send a copy of your publication...
Tips To Follow Before You Make An Online Student Credit Card Application
Students - Do you know what your credit card is truly costing you and how you can save money by making an online student credit card application for a card with a lower interest rate? Many students take out a student credit card without being...
What Is Ayurvedic Medicine
According to a new survey carried out by Alliance & where ID_NUM=9270; Leicester, one in five small business owners view tax as their greatest concern. The Chancellor has announced in his last budget that companies with profits below œ10,000...
Whole-Brained Grandparenting: The Baby Gift
Expecting your first grandchild? I remember when I received the phone call that my firstborn was expecting his first. My head and my heart were full. I remembered back when we had placed that phone calls to our parents. I had expected hoots and...
 
Why Budgets Don't Work and How To Fix It

Why Budgets Don't Work and How to Fix It
By Terry Rigg

This article is for those families that have sat down at a desk
or the kitchen table time after time trying to develop a family
budget that they can live with.

Why don't they work?

There are several answers to that question. Most budgets are
doomed from day one because they are too complicated, don't have
the commitment of all involved or the numbers simply don't add
up. The biggest culprit is that most people don't allow for
unexpected expenses.

Let's tackle these one at a time:

Too Complicated: When you list every expense you have on your
budget you set yourself up for defeat. Some budgets include
such things as cleaning supplies, dog food, haircuts and car
gas. In order to keep track of all of these you would need a
new box of envelopes every month.

Answer: Streamline your budget. By simply including a topic on
your budget entitled "Household" where you can include
everything you spend money on each month, excluding bills.
Groceries will undoubtedly be the largest expense in this
category. By taking the extra time to figure what needs to go
into your household budget when you set it up, you can save a
lot of time each payday.

Commitment:

1. Many times the commitment to live by a budget is lacking.
2. People get into spending habits that are hard to break.
3. There is constant friction in the family over money.
4. It is more comfortable to live beyond your means.

Answer: You have to consider all of the above problems when
setting up your budget. The Family Budget is just that, the
FAMILY BUDGET. Everyone in the family that is old enough to
count should be included. I don't mean to say that children
should have a say in where the money goes, but they should be
aware of what the spending limits of the family are. If you
work closely with your spouse in developing a family budget you
both are more likely to stick to it. There is one other detail
that will help. By setting aside money for


yourself and your
spouse, that you don't have to account to the other for, your
budget is more likely to succeed.

The Numbers Don't Add Up:

You have more budget than you have paycheck. Generally, this
is caused by not being realistic in your budget. You try to
make your paycheck fit your budget.

Answer: Start by listing your household expenses and bills.
Then include 10% of your income for long and short term savings.
If this total is more than your paycheck, you have to cut back.
Start by looking at your household budget. Are there items that
you can do without? If you have money left over after
considering all of the above, then increase your savings.

Unexpected Expenses: This can be from your car breaking down,
need a new washer or any number of other expenses that you can't
predict.

Answer: While long term savings is for things such as a home or
car purchase or college for the kids, short term savings is just
as vital to your financial security. A short term savings will
accomplish two things. It will provide you with the money you
need to pay those unexpected expenses and it will cut down on
the use of credit cards. The short term savings could save you
hundreds of dollars a year.

When you develop your budget, keep the following things in mind:

1. Make your budget a simple as possible
2. Get the family involved.
3. Make your budget fit your paycheck, not the other way
around.
4. Plan for the unexpected.
5. Visit The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer for more
details

About the Author

Terry Rigg is the author of Living Within Your Means - The Easy
Way http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/ebookadpage.html and editor
of The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter and Budget Stretcher
web site http://www.homemoneyhelp.com. He has 25 years of
experience counseling individuals and families concerning their
personal finances. Use this email link to get a list of all of
Terry's articles by autoresponder at:
mailto:articlelist@budgetstretcherpremium.com

 

Kiplinger.com - Timely, Trusted Personal Finance Advice, Financial ...
Investing, personal finance, calculators and financial advice.
www.kiplinger.com
 
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine - Your Guide to Making Money ...
Subscibe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine to help you manage your finances. Achieve your financial goals and objectives with help from our ...
www.kiplinger.com
 
Personal finance advice, news - CNNMoney
News & advice on retirement planning, college saving, taxes, mortgages, autos, real estate, investing and more from CNNMoney.com.
money.cnn.com
 
Business, financial, personal finance news - CNNMoney
Combines practical personal finance advice, calculators and investing tips with business news, stock quotes, and financial market coverage from the editors ...
money.cnn.com
 
Personal Finance, Personal Finances, and Financial Advice - Forbes.com
Personal Finance - Get financial advice and information from Forbes.com.
www.forbes.com
 
SmartMoney.com — Investing, Saving and Personal Finance
SmartMoney has daily stock and mutual fund recommendations, hourly market updates, personal finance investing research tools and advice, ...
www.smartmoney.com
 
Personal Finance Home (Personal Finance: Personal Finance ...
Links to articles covering a range of topics where monetary planning is or should be involved.
www.smartmoney.com
 
Personal Finance - Front Page
Read the details in Personal Finance this Saturday. Also in this weekend's edition:; You should take financial services companies' marketing material with a ...
www.persfin.co.za
 
Get stock quotes, market news, rates, and more - Netscape Money ...
Market News. • Market News. • News Search. Financial Planning. • Finance Calculators. • Saving for College. • Personal Finance ...
money.netscape.cnn.com
 
globeandmail.com: Personal Finance
Personal Finance. Home · National · British Columbia · Prairies · Ontario · Quebec · Atlantic · Politics · World · Americas · Europe · Asia-Pacific ...
www.theglobeandmail.com
 
Personal Finance - MSNBC.com
Answer Desk: Submit your question about personal finance or the world of business ... Personal Finance. • Learn more about RSS ...
www.msnbc.msn.com
 
Personal Finance Newsletter
7600 Leesburg Pike, West Building Suite 300 • Falls Church, VA 22043 703-394-4931 (ph) • 703-905-8100 (fax) • personalfinance@kci-com.com ...
www.pfnewsletter.com
 
Personal Finance Advice - Personal Finance Management - Personal ...
Tips and stories for managing your personal finances.
www.marketwatch.com
 
CNBC.com: Personal Finance
Investing home page features investment tools like stock quotes, charts, a portfolio manager and much more. Plus market news and financial commentary from ...
moneycentral.msn.com
 
Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Business: Personal ...
Knowing retirement, health plans can help avert disaster · At one firm, financial crisis crushed 401(k)s, insurance · Personal finance news briefs ...
www.dallasnews.com
 
Morningstar: Personal Finance
Sharpen your personal finance and investing skills with Morningstar. Access articles covering stocks, mutual funds, bonds, retirement, 401(k)s and 529 plans ...
www.morningstar.com
 
Fool.com: Personal Finance
Personal Finance - The Motley Fool exists to educate, amuse, and enrich the individual investor; to prove to you that the best person to manage your money ...
www.fool.com
 
Fool.com: Investing, Stock Research, and Personal Finance
Expert advice on picking stocks, investing for retirement, and dealing with life's major personal finance decisions.
www.fool.com
 
Telegraph | Money
Market news from the Telegraph newspaper online. Includes money product finders.
www.telegraph.co.uk
 
Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Personal Finance at Epinions.com
Epinions has the best comparison shopping information on Personal Finance. Compare prices from across the web and read reviews from other consumers on ...
www.epinions.com
 
 

 
Content Menu
  • 10 easy maintenance tips vs piling on the chaos

  • 10 online dating safety tips for seniors

  • 10 powerful self defense tips for women

  • 10 steps to a dynamic relationship

  • 10 steps to a stress free holiday

  • 10 things you should know about credit cards

  • 10 tips to reduce your exposure and prevent identity theft

  • 12 signs it is really time to leave your job

  • 19 178 identity theft victims per day are you one of them

  • 1 2 3 sort your way to clarity

  • 1 2 3 stretch your mind

  • 21 no cost or extremely low cost ways to remind your special other of how much you love them

  • 3 secrets to creating passion excitement in your partner about your business

  • 4 keys to sharing intimacy

  • 5 steps to improving communication

  • 6 key reasons men and women cheat on each other

  • 7 secrets to having a financially healthy family

  • 7 things to teach your kids about money

  • about natural mineral makeup

  • accurate psychic advice

  • add a few dollars to your mortgage payment

  • african americans a look in the mirror part 1

  • african americans a look in the mirror part 2

  • anticipating your irs refund can cost you plenty

  • are you an impulse buyer

  • are you ready or not for a relationship

  • awareness

  • a 23 federal sales tax but wait

  • a crash course in tarot for newbies 1

  • a simple effective tool to get and stay organized

  • bankruptcy all about chapter 7 bankruptcy

  • bay leaf ritual for the new year

  • benefits of a relocation service

  • beyond the pain and stigma to healing

  • be cautious when using your nest egg as an atm

  • blair bribes parents and children into higher education

  • blooming boomers women and retirement

  • brilliance in balance

  • bring balance to life

  • budget leftovers

  • call of the wild

  • can christians be capitalists

  • can i afford this

  • can you see clearly now

  • cat insurance

  • chasing after child support

  • checking out potential tenants

  • check out the cheaters checklist

  • childcare finances some money basics

  • children and divorce things to consider when youre staying married only for your children

  • choosing a residential lot

  • christmas gifts making your shopping easier

  • college debt how to avoid it and how to get out of it

  • conscience

  • constructive tips about retrenchment

  • coping with difficult people

  • creatively speaking

  • credit card blues

  • crisis fund

  • dating your spouse planning an evening on the town no kids

  • deliberate attraction

  • disability insurance

  • discover your housing value system

  • divorce and children things to consider when youre staying married only for your children

  • divorce and children things to consider when you re staying married only for your children

  • domestic violence the fact behind the myths

  • dont ignore the signs how emotional infidelity can ruin your marriage

  • dont ignore the signs how emotional infidelity can ruin your relationship

  • dont worry about scrooge this christmas by shopping online youll save plenty of time and money

  • eight key nutrients to help prevent breast cancer and where to find them

  • ethnic wedding traditions

  • e book on russian women part 10

  • faqs about internet dating

  • financially stable kids prepared for college

  • financial freedom

  • financial illiteracy is a major threat to americas future

  • financial responsibility

  • first checking account when is it time

  • fun treasure hunt

  • getting kids involved in garage yard sales

  • getting over the christmas giving blues take the christmas budget challenge

  • getting paid to drive

  • get married and have fun for the rest of your life

  • get married to a guy you can have fun with forever

  • get serious about your money

  • get started managing your money

  • giving thanks for online opportunities

  • goals only work when you do

  • go ahead make dads day

  • heal thyself first

  • helpful hints for first time home buyers

  • help your marriage survive the rough spots

  • heres what they really want for christmas

  • here s what they really want for christmas

  • homeownership could it be in your future

  • home financing helpful online resources

  • home for the holidays happy times right

  • honey i cant afford the kids

  • honey rich is better

  • how did i get in this mess

  • how does an under 18 female buy on line fashion without a credit card

  • how not to get ripped off at the grocery store

  • how to be a miracle maker create the love money body and spirit you want

  • how to be motivated without a motivator

  • how to boost your credit score

  • how to choose and have the type of retirement you really want

  • how to get everything you want out of life

  • how to get through a bad day

  • how to get what you really want

  • how to live with your teenagers untidy room

  • how to make money

  • how to recognize elder abuse and protect its victim

  • how to save money on your holiday gift shopping

  • how to save your home from foreclosure

  • how to sing the song of the unsung hero on your team

  • how to stick to your budget

  • how to take advantage of low mortgage rates and not get burned

  • identity theft and the internet

  • identity theft dont be a victim

  • identity theft impacting your taxes

  • identity theft the perfect victim your child

  • if you want a date promote yourself

  • index

  • is online dating right for you

  • is your life out of control then do something about it

  • i am woman hear me roar the female homebuyer and seller part 2

  • i love that big tax refund

  • karma and the new millennium

  • kippers or red herrings

  • know your debt consolidation options

  • landlords checking out potential tenants

  • lessons about marriage learnt from riding a bike

  • lets talk about probate

  • life insurance the universe and everything

  • life insurance why theres no need to be a desperate housewife

  • life insurance wise investment in personal finance or excessive caution

  • life lessons for women

  • like it or not you have a score to settle

  • lovers quarrel

  • loves most overlooked expression

  • love s most overlooked expression

  • making room for two how to adjust to life with a roommate

  • marital bliss

  • marriage finances 101

  • marriage saving advice have a soul connection with your spouse even if all seems lost

  • memory timebox

  • money and marriage 101

  • money is a family affair

  • money making money saving tips for college students

  • money management with a new spouse

  • money worries

  • mortgage refinance 4 ways to know its time to refinance your house

  • mothers day 5 gift ideas guaranteed to make any new mom happy

  • moving home a stressful time

  • need a job

  • no invitation needed sacred children series 3 of 3

  • only you can prevent money problems

  • on the hunt for a job build professional resources

  • our kids and their money

  • paying off your credit cards and other bills

  • pay off debt now 5 steps to getting your finances in order

  • picking a new dentist on your new dental plan

  • picking a new dentist on your new dental plans

  • planning ahead

  • planted upside down

  • precious gems of wisdom

  • preparing for the worst

  • preparing your child to move

  • professionally done invitations set the tone

  • push the right button

  • reasons for breach in marital relations

  • refund anticipation loans more harm than help

  • rotator

  • safe cyber dating

  • saving money over the christmas period

  • self esteem

  • setting your financial priorities

  • setting your wedding budget

  • share little random acts of kindness

  • shoppers beware tis the season

  • show that you care with car magnets

  • signs of infidelity 21 categories of telltale signs

  • single mother on a budget

  • some initial thoughts on creating wealth

  • sorting your money

  • speak up or sit down

  • spending more than you make

  • springtime money laundering

  • spring is sprung

  • starting over

  • stress reduction tips for parents

  • surviving life after divorce

  • tackling the transition the confident navigation of a career change

  • take the first step action is the cure

  • ten financial tips for women

  • ten ways simplify your financial life

  • theres more to preparedness than food

  • the 6 top causes of dry hair 4 of them potentially serious

  • the attack defense of the mail order bride business part two

  • the avoid debt secret

  • the changing shape of family finances

  • the dangers of a me first marriage

  • the economics of true love

  • the guide to changing your name after marriage

  • the heat of desire

  • the prenuptial agreement dilemma

  • the quest for a quality nursing home

  • the simple 10 debt elimination solution

  • the untoldtruth about mentors and why you dont need one

  • thinking about a resort retirement home

  • times are changing for woman entrepreneurs

  • tips to follow before you make an online student credit card application

  • top 10 secrets to avoiding marital money chaos

  • top 10 ways to jumpstart your new years finances

  • top ten things to build a bridge and get over

  • travel health insurance reimbursement depends on following the rules

  • trust in marriage

  • try to avoid probate

  • two income households

  • unique gifts ideas for all seasons

  • university a course in personal finance

  • using the internet to manage your familys finance

  • vacation values

  • value cant be priced

  • warning for parents your children may be having lead for lunch

  • wedding budgeting tips

  • whats your communication style

  • what are you planning to achieve by the end of the year

  • what every work from home want to be should know before diving into telecommuting

  • what is ayurvedic medicine

  • what is your fashion style

  • what it takes to start an offline business in retirement

  • what to pay when you cant pay everything

  • what to pay when you can t pay everything

  • what you need to know before starting a low carb diet

  • where does your money go taxes

  • whole brained grandparenting the baby gift

  • who will be their guardian

  • why budgets dont work and how to fix it

  • why budgets don t work and how to fix it

  • why corporate wellness programs dont work and what does

  • why have a budget analysis

  • why mothers should engage in home business

  • why student loans are better than credit cards

  • why talk about your finances to strangers

  • why women make better investors than men

  • why worry about your children

  • will your children take a one way ticket to needle death

  • women and friendship is it as good or better than chocolate

  • women retirement and social security

  • work as a spiritual calling 7 steps to heeding your lifes calling

  • wouldnt it be nice if time grew on trees

  • yes you can budget

  • your checking account

  • your consumer rights

  • your finances

  • your home and your golden years

  • your instinct is your life blood says author

  • your social security

  • you lost your debit card how much do you pay

  • you want to be a stay at home parent