There are many ways to make your financial goals a reality, but you need to develop a plan that works for you.
In this blog I’ve discussed a number of budget tips that can really help you cut back, save more, and build up your financial foundation. But how do you know where to start? Before sitting down to create a budget plan, you must know what your problem areas of spending are. Most people don’t have a good idea of where their money actually goes day-to-day. Start keeping a “money log” for the next two weeks to track all of your purchases – cash, credit, big, small. Make a note of where/why you felt compelled to spend money. At the end of two weeks, you’ll likely see some patterns emerge.
Once you clearly see these patterns, it will be a lot easier to identify which areas are “mindless spending.” Many people have certain situations or habits that prompt them to spend without thinking. However, a little here, a little there ultimately adds up big time. Once you recognize these areas, your work is cut out for you – target mindless spending first. How can you reduce your expenses and make your spending more efficient? The key to budget and saving success is to create a plan that really fits your lifestyle and your needs – so that you’ll actually want to stick with it!
