Budgeting is about knowing how much money you receive each week/fortnight/month and how much money you spend each week/fortnight/money.
Once you know how much money you receive and how much money you spend you will see how easy it is to set up your very first, very own budget.
If I asked you right now how much it costs you to live each week. What your bills are or when do they arrive. What bills or accounts are you expecting and what is your weekly, fortnightly, monthly income. Could you answer with a definite number or would you say "mmm probably about x amount".
Seriously you need to be able to go to your ledger (exercise book), flip open the page and say the exact amount. The very thing that makes simple budgets simple is the quality of the information you add to it.
Some money saving tips:
Shopping for groceries is a fact of life. I used to think that I could save time and money by doing it quickly and grabbing whatever looked good at the time. I soon modified my attitude when I saw my spending list and started to think ahead and plan meals in order to save money on junk food.
My wonderful mother loves to collect coupons for food, meat and fuel and still gives them to me today. Start collecting your own coupons and always use them. These can really help the food bill. Keep your coupons or vouchers in a folder so that you always know where they are.
Experiment with different meals. There are a number of books, videos and web sites that help you make great meals with only a few ingredients even on a budget. Free Budget Recipe's can be collected from www.zukihome.com
Look for shops who offer promotional goods and rewards for shopping with them. Some of the rewards could be taken off the grocery bill.
Grocer's have developed their floor plans with your money in mind; the object, to get as many dollars as possible with proper product placement. Learn the layout of your store and go straight to what you are after. Temptation is especially tough in the check out aisles. Fight the urge to succumb to these powerful marketing practices by making, and sticking to, a list.
Try shopping when you are not hungry. It makes sense that you are more vulnerable to impulse buying when you are hungry.
Know how much you can spend and and take a calculator with you to the store. It is very important to staying to a budget. Knowing what you can spend is the secret to shopping!!!
Always compared prices. Store brands are not necessarily least expensive. Take just a moment to scan the shelves for best prices on the items you buy. Make sure to take note of per unit costs.
About the Author
Glenn and his team have been helping hundreds of people become debt free. Glenn is committed to helping regular people learn the skills of budgeting and wealth creation. For budget ideas and heaps of free information, visit http://www.zukihome.com
