When theres never enough money.

Hey there all you beautiful people. I would like to pass along something I feel is very close to my heart. It helped me more than any information I have ever recieved in my life and your reading it, may also help you.

It about when there never seems to be enough money to spread around to everyone holding thier hands. I want you to put every bill into a small container and make a label for the outside on what it is no matter how big or small. Then I want you to write down how much your total income is for that month. This is before anything is taken out. Now you have an idea of where to start, pay the rent first, this Budget can be done weekly, every two weeks or monthly. BUT YOU MUST STICK TO IT NO MATTER WHAT. Then work out how much your average electricity bill is and divide it by 12 (if you get bill every 3 months) Say if its $300, then divide that by 12 and the weekly amount you will need to put to one side is $25. Then do same for Gas, Oil, Day care, etc....etc. Now you have all these little Boxes with labels on them, that each week you put some money into each one of them. Do the same thing for Pharmacy, running cost of motor car, school lunches, trips out, take away treats, entertainment, food allowance. You will probably find that there is still not enough money to spread around. Now heres is where you have to 'Get real, or Get serious." about commitment to a BUdget. Ask yourself the RIGHT questions when it comes to working out what is really important for the here and now. Is that much really necessary for Entertainment? No, then cut it out all together. There are heaps of things you can do as a family that involve mostly time and little cost. Look at the Food cupboards and ask yourself another 'Right question" Is this item a need or want? if its a want then cut it off the list. Is it really necessary for my child to buy his/her lunch everyday? Packed lunches can be just as nice and cheaper. Is it really necessary to hire the latest DVD EVERY WEEKEND? look seriously at all these things and work out how much you can save over a month. You will be surprised. We spend far too much on "wants and that can leave us with too little money for the needs. How can I cut down in baby cost? Disposable nappies are a want, we buy them so we dont HAVE to wash them out for another wear. Save money big time in this dept allowing you to spread that extra money over a need. Hey I know they are convenient, but you have to ask yourself this Question- "DO I want to this Budget to work? or do I want an easier lifestyle? WHICH is more important NOW?!" Dont impulse spend on sweet treats for the kids, LET THOSE TREATS be treats for the kids that they appreciate because they dont get them often.

It all boils down to sacrifice. A little here and a little there to make your money go further. Its only until you get on your feet, but to make a BUDGET work, you must commit to wanting it to work, so personal sacrifice is not a scary thing. No one has dropped dead from washing out clothes nappies to save several hundred dollars over a year, and at the end of that year that Credit Card looks a lot smaller than it did say 10 months ago, AND baby is almost out of naps and I have less worrys on my brow. It will work folks, all you have to do is WANT it to work. Commitment, Sacrifice and the end results are Positive. You can do it!!!!