Budget time!

CrazyKell · 02-21-2009, 01:39 AM

This year I haven't exactly been following a budget but I haven't used any credit or debit cards and pay cash for everything. It's been tight being unemployed but I have still managed to squeak by.

I know this has probably been asked before but....do you do a budget? More importantly, do you stick to the budget you draw up?

Is your budget more of a list of what you spend on certain things or do you follow certain widely recognized formulas (for instance, 30% on living, etc.)?

Just curious.

azoomm · 02-21-2009, 02:04 AM

I have an expected amount to spend on things... and try to stay within them. First step for that was to track what I was spending, then to take those amounts and find a reasonable amount to maintain each month.

Some of the categories were amazing.... I mean, once you see what you ACTUALLY spend on things, it's so much easier to budget.

Apoc · 02-21-2009, 06:39 AM

I have a budget...

I get paid every wednesday. I pay all bills that are due that week, and I spend the rest, weather its 100$ or 1000$.

Tmall · 02-21-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc

I have a budget...

I get paid every wednesday. I pay all bills that are due that week, and I spend the rest, weather its 100$ or 1000$.

I have almost the same one. Except I get paid on the 1st and 15th.

Quick281 · 02-21-2009, 07:24 AM

I am sort of the same way as the others but ideally I will get better control of things this summer. I signed up for Quicken Online since I got a free use of it thanks to Turbo Tax.

I am hoping to use that so that I can see what I am spending and where I am spending it. After that I will attempt to budget.

Lamnidae · 02-21-2009, 10:52 AM

i tend to budget, we've got 3 large dogs, and there's always something coming up, so if I do n't budget I start eating into the "buffer" we have....

Once in a while we end up having a decent surplus that we then decide to spend on, or move to savings, or pay for a trip/vacation or something....

RedRider2k2 · 02-22-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmall

I have almost the same one. Except I get paid on the 1st and 15th.

Mine is totally different...I get paid on Tuesdays.

Edit: Wait a minute...I do get paid on Wednesdays. I've been off for the last seven weeks and I'm all mixed up

02-21-2009, 01:39 AM	#1
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Budget time! This year I haven't exactly been following a budget but I haven't used any credit or debit cards and pay cash for everything. It's been tight being unemployed but I have still managed to squeak by. I know this has probably been asked before but....do you do a budget? More importantly, do you stick to the budget you draw up? Is your budget more of a list of what you spend on certain things or do you follow certain widely recognized formulas (for instance, 30% on living, etc.)? Just curious.

02-21-2009, 02:04 AM	#2
azoomm moderator chick Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hill Country TX Moto: Pasta Rockets Posts: 8,917	I have an expected amount to spend on things... and try to stay within them. First step for that was to track what I was spending, then to take those amounts and find a reasonable amount to maintain each month. Some of the categories were amazing.... I mean, once you see what you ACTUALLY spend on things, it's so much easier to budget. __________________ We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com

02-21-2009, 07:24 AM	#5
Quick281 Victim of Blazer Rapage Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Talkeetna, AK Moto: 06 GSXR 600 Posts: 1,707	I am sort of the same way as the others but ideally I will get better control of things this summer. I signed up for Quicken Online since I got a free use of it thanks to Turbo Tax. I am hoping to use that so that I can see what I am spending and where I am spending it. After that I will attempt to budget. __________________ -Alex- Resident TWFix Noob. My 06 GSXR 600 <-- Its Clickable Fools.

02-21-2009, 06:39 AM	#3
Apoc For Science. You Monster. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Moto: '08 HD FLSTSB Posts: 3,546	I have a budget... I get paid every wednesday. I pay all bills that are due that week, and I spend the rest, weather its 100$ or 1000$.