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Michelle Jones, Founder and Publishing Editor of BetterBudgeting.com

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, 2010 

Welcome to BetterBudgeting, Where We've Been Helping Families Save Money and Live Better Since 2001! Get Our Free Monthly Ezine and Save with Thousands of Tips on Budgeting, Credit Cards, Getting Out of Debt, Frugal Family Fun, Frugal Recipes and Crafts, Groceries, Budget Friendly  Decorating,  Gardening and Work-at-Home Business Ideas

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Living a Better Life™
(featured column... from the editor's desk)

Successful Budgeting for Those Who Hate to Budget!
by Michelle Jones, founder and publishing editor of BetterBudgeting.com

Includes our printer friendly budget worksheets as pictured on my desk at the top of this Web site!

There are many great budgeting and financial planning tools on the market today, in fact, we have several budget planners that we have personally reviewed and do highly recommend. These budget planning programs can be extremely useful and will help you stay on track year after year, but the most important thing is that you find something that works well for you and your family. If you try one budget system and it doesn't quite work for you, try another one, or create your own with our help! 

*  *  *

If money is very tight and this is your first time starting a household budget you may be looking for something a little more simple, and maybe even more importantly, free!  I understand; our family has been there too!  

Before we get to our free budgeting worksheets, don't forget that our Web site and free monthly Ezine, Living a Better Life™, are overflowing with great money-saving tips (on hundreds of various topics!) so be sure to sign up for your free subscription if you haven't already.  

We are NOT just about family budgeting and finances; we feature thousands of tips to help you save money and stretch your dollars... on everything from groceries to family fun and how to live a better life, not by spending more money, but less!  

Please feel free to use our printer-friendly Basic Budgeting Worksheet (link below) to help you keep track of your monthly expenses and manage your income.  I hope you will find this worksheet helpful when planning your household budget, you may even want to print out several copies and share them with your friends and family, or anyone that needs budgeting assistance.  

I've also added a Dealing with Debt Worksheet for listing creditors and debts, a Monthly Spending Worksheet for keeping track of your extra expenses each month, and an Annual Budget Worksheet to help you budget for your annual expenses such as taxes, insurance, warranties, school tuition, etc... so that you can afford to pay them as they come due!  You will find all the worksheets listed below.

When you sign up for our free ezine and become a member of Better Budgeting you will also receive a free copy of my ebook Dealing with Debt!  This ebook will help you learn more about how to pay off your debts quickly and handle creditors on your own, without using third party companies to assist you.

Also, here are just a few helpful guidelines to help you get started with your household budget.  If you'd like to learn more about how create your own successful budget system without the aid of expensive budget planners and software programs please consider joining in on our next session of my Better Budgeting Class!  

FIGURING YOUR INCOME

If you're paid...

bullet

Weekly: Figure 4 paychecks per month. (Use the extra 4 paychecks each year for savings, taxes, Christmas gifts, etc.)

bullet

Bi-weekly: Figure 2 paychecks per month. (Same as above, only you'll have 2 larger extra paychecks each year instead of 4 smaller ones.)

bullet

Monthly: Figure the entire monthly amount. (You'll have to be more diligent to set aside a portion of your income for annual expenses and savings each month - because there will be no extra paychecks throughout the year.) 

bullet

Fluctuating Income/ Commission: To estimate your monthly income, total your income for the last 12 months and divide that figure by 12.  (You will also need to be more diligent in saving whenever you have a surplus, for the leaner months.)

TOTAL = SURPLUS

After filling out the Basic Budgeting Worksheet with your monthly income and expenses, you will either have a surplus (money leftover) or a shortage.  A portion of your surplus should be budgeted for savings and yearly expenditures (use our Annual Budget Worksheet for assistance).  

TOTAL = SHORTAGE

If your budget reveals a shortage then you need to either lower your expenses or increase your income, or maybe even both.  If that is not possible at this time, work towards the goal of having at least a small monthly surplus as soon as possible, even if it's just $10.  (You might also want to read my previous column 15 Ways to Create More Cash.) 

Then, continue to work diligently on your household budget throughout the coming months to increase that amount... 

I know you can do it!!!

Copyright © by Michelle Jones. All rights reserved.

 

FREE Printable Budget Worksheets from BetterBudgeting.com!

Basic Budgeting Worksheet

Dealing with Debt Worksheet 

Monthly Spending Worksheet

Annual Budget Worksheet

Holiday Budgeting

Holiday Gift List Worksheet

Holiday Spending Worksheet

Meal Planning

Frugal Recipe Index and Menu Planners

 

Mvelopes Online Budgeting System

Try it for Free!

 

You will also find more free budget building tips and advice in our Article Index, tell a friend about us and invite them to join us today!

Want more money-saving tips?  Get a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to our monthly Ezine, Living a Better Life™!

 

 

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