Personal Budget Planning

Thank you to everyone who has submitted a request for budget coaching. I’ve now got the calendar booked through June. I’m looking forward to working with each of you. The first round of coaching starts April 1st.

Hello,
I have an idea I’ve been kicking around lately, free budget coaching. This would work by selecting just a couple people per month, and giving them 4 weeks of free budget coaching. I’ll help you setup my system, answer any questions, and get you running with a working budget system. This helps […]

I’ve been abusing my personal expenses account. It is easy to do so and make excuses. I trick myself into thinking I’m saving money by taking it out of my personal expenses account. Sure, if I spend it out of there, it’s not coming out of my planned therefore I’m getting purchases without budgeting more […]

A checking account is like a reservoir and the budget is the dam. Money flows into your account from your employer, it builds up here, and then it is restricted going out to your various debtors. The dam makes sure that the cash flowing through never sinks to low or rises to high.
A checking account […]

When you spend all the money in your paycheck and have none (or very little) left over, you are living paycheck to paycheck. It’s natural to spend the money you have and you are not alone. When you live like this you place a lot of your life in the hands of your […]

I love this post from Retire at 30. It’s a great way to start the weekend.
Spend as much on crap as you can afford. Just don’t spend more. Shocking as it may seem, you can be financially responsible and splurge on stupid things.
This fits in perfectly with the stackbacks budget system. Go ahead, blow your […]

Coupons are a great way to save money, however they aren’t always convenient. This week I’m offering three easy tips to help you start utilizing them.
#1 Keep a few impulse coupons at hand
I carry a shoulder bag, so I keep a few coupons in an envelope. You can also just throw them in […]

Steve Pavlina has a great post on his blog about feeble exuses. He recommends taking excuses and exposing the truth behind them.
The truth behind “I don’t know how” is “I’m unwilling to learn.” In other words, you have to admit that you’re lazy.
I really like this outlook and it can easily be applied […]

It is easy to see the difference between planned items and living expenses. Planned expenses are mortgages and cable bills. Living expenses are dining out and gasoline. What about new TVs, computers, or down payments on beach houses? Items that are more costly get a separate savings account.
Start by creating a new savings account and […]

Young and broke has a great post about how banks process debit card transactions.
Common belief seems to be that when you use your debit card at the grocery store, gas station, minimart, etc. the money comes directly, and immediately, out of your checking account.
…A good number of banks will hold the transactions to the end […]