Here is the next installment in our Reader’s Questions Series, which highlight questions emailed to me by you, the readers of Money Q&A. This time, we’re talking about the best way to budget when you have irregular income. Be sure to find out at the end of this article how you can receive a free copy of Dave Ramsey’s book, The Total Money Makeover. If you’re not familiar with Dave Ramsey’s book, you should run right out and get it. It is one of the best personal finance books that everyone should read. Now….on to … [Read more...] about The Best Way to Budget When You Have Irregular Income
Budgeting
Top 3 Way You to Can Create a Cash Only Budget
A new report from the Federal Reserve found that, as of June 2017, the amount of outstanding credit card debt in the United States is at the highest level it has ever reached in the country’s history. The previous record was set in April 2008 – just before the recession – but now that the economy has vastly improved, why is there so much credit card debt in the U.S.? Some economists have argued the ease of access to credit cards has led to our personal debts spiraling out of control. After all, the flashy advertisements for 0% introductory … [Read more...] about Top 3 Way You to Can Create a Cash Only Budget
Top 14 Easy Grocery Hacks to Trim Your Food Budget
Grocery expenses comprise a large portion of most American’s budgets. According to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average middle-aged male spends just under $300 per month on groceries when following a “moderate-cost plan.” But, you can save money on groceries. The average family of four, meanwhile, can expect to incur around $1000 worth of food expenses each month when following a similar middle-of-the-road strategy. How does your family’s spending compare with how to save money on groceries? If you … [Read more...] about Top 14 Easy Grocery Hacks to Trim Your Food Budget
4 Steps to Recovering After Blowing Your Budget
Unless you have built up a considerable emergency fund, going over your budget can be an incredibly stressful experience. After all, despite the wide availability of credit and lending options, money is still a finite resource and you wouldn’t want to borrow from some lenders due to shady practices and hidden, high-interest fees anyway. How to Recover After Going Over Budget If you’re anticipating going over budget in the near future or you’ve already blown your budget and you’re trying to recover your financial stability, here are some … [Read more...] about 4 Steps to Recovering After Blowing Your Budget
A Budget Guide for Every Income – Boost Your Wallet With These Budgeting Tips
Keeping track of the money you spend isn’t always easy, which is probably why so many people don’t do it. But, everyone should have a monthly written budget whether you’re starting out on your first job or working your way to the top of the corporate ladder. This infographic can be a great budget guide for you. A few tips can help you build your budget and, in turn, build your savings with this budget guide. The first part is determining how much of your expenses are fixed, meaning they won’t change at all, no matter what. If you can manage … [Read more...] about A Budget Guide for Every Income – Boost Your Wallet With These Budgeting Tips
The Surprises You Discover When You Make a Budget
Most of us, at one point or other, start a budget. Some of us are natural budgeters. It just makes sense on some level to these people. But, there are often many surprises you find when you make a personal budget. Carefully managing every dollar is wise. So, why wouldn’t you do it? Well, for other people this isn’t so easy. Just because budgeting is sensible doesn’t mean they do it regularly or rigorously. Along with working out three times a week, eating many helpings of vegetables a day, and performing preventative maintenance on … [Read more...] about The Surprises You Discover When You Make a Budget
How You Can Budget With A Credit Card
My wife and I budget a little differently than most families. We budget with a credit card. We use a credit card for most of our purchases instead of cash or checks, and use that to monitor our family's monthly spending. According to a recent Gallup poll, fewer than one-third of Americans follow a detailed written budget every month. Out of those who do, not all of them strictly follow their budgets. This may be a stark indication as to why American families are in financial trouble, with shrinking savings and increasing debt. So why … [Read more...] about How You Can Budget With A Credit Card
Are Your Budget Assumptions Throwing Off Your Family Finances?
How accurate is your family's monthly budget? Do you have false budget assumptions in your family's monthly budget? Do you guess at certain things that you put in it? You're not alone. A lot of people do not have the right math in their family's monthly budget. You need a budget, but you also need an accurate budget. Budgets are built on both facts and assumptions. You know exactly how much money your home mortgage will cost you. You know how much your car payment or credit card minimum balance payments are at the end of each month. But, … [Read more...] about Are Your Budget Assumptions Throwing Off Your Family Finances?
How To Use Prepaid Debit Cards To Budget For Big Purchases
This is a guest post by David Silverstone who writes about personal finance, credit cards, and debit cards on the website, Credit Card Insider, which is a credit resource, providing plain-language guidance from industry leaders. Credit card debt is huge in the U.S. Last year, the average American household’s credit card debt was equal to $15,799. American consumers know that they need to eliminate this debt, but they also know that they will have large purchases to make in the future. These larger purchases may be necessities, such as … [Read more...] about How To Use Prepaid Debit Cards To Budget For Big Purchases
What Budgeting System Works For You And Your Family?
There are so many different budgeting tools and systems that you can use to help you manage your finances. We often get pigeonholed into one favorite system or another. Or, we only consider one option as the “right” way to budget. But, what budgeting system works best for you? How do you balance your checkbook? Balancing Your Checkbook Through The 1-800 Number I had this amazing conversation with a coworker last week, and it struck a chord with me and inspired a little bit of a revelation. I used to always joke with my wife. When I met her … [Read more...] about What Budgeting System Works For You And Your Family?