Quote:
Originally Posted by Kimberly27
We are spending a little less bc we aren't buying gifts but other wise it is about the same. We have a monthly budget we make and follow, We an app called Mint and Every Dollar to keep track of our spending. I am bad about check receipts but trying to do better. We have one kiddo going to college in 18months so we are putting away as much money as we can...we don't do loans or any kind of debt so are going to need a lot of cash for that. We also need a new dishwasher...ours is falling apart. So we are doing a lot of saving money right now...but the budget helps with that thankfully. I can feel free to buy clothes, go out to lunch/dinner etc because I have money set aside at the beginning of the money for stuff.  It is kind of like we sit down on January 1 and spend all our money on paper then as the month goes along we can adjust as needed if things pop up. |
I do the same, spend my money at the beginning of the month. Only I use spreadsheets instead of Mint and Every Dollar.
Best thing I ever did 13 years ago was read the book "Total Money Makeover" then take the class "Financial Peace University" 3 years later. No debt, 1 credit card that is used only for online purchases (that are budgeted for) and enough in my virtual envelopes that I can handle an emergency.
And for those spur of the moment purchases (like a photo book at Shutterfly today), I have my "slush fund". In all honesty though I have gotten to the point that I have to think about purchases for awhile before I actually make them. I looked at new curtains in December of 2018. I still haven't bought any!