Budgeting
Groceries and Dining Expenses – Using Cash Vs. Debit Card
Due to missing our budget on groceries and dining out the last two months, we have decided to go all cash this month for these two categories. In the past, Dana and I have done all cash with our budget. This was in our red intensity debt elimination phase, where every cent counts. Since becoming [...]
Free Baby Formula – Finally!
My diligence has finally paid off! I signed up for Babies R’Us Rewards a couple of months ago under the pretense that I would get a free can of baby formula after buying 9. Well, I bought 9 and nothing happened. The cashier actually scanned the 10th, but I made her take it back because [...]
Spending Fast – Behind the Numbers (our budget breakdown)
Dana and I have been receiving questions about how we are saving a potential additional $1200.00 this month. We decided to give you a glimpse into our very unexciting 2010 budget to show you how it’s broken down.
Our average monthly expenses for 2009 were $1452.00 above and beyond our monthly bills. Some categories we stayed [...]
Auto Insurance Savings – Pay Up Front?
Our bi-annual car insurance renewal occurred on December 15. This time around I did something different: I paid the entire balance up front. The timing, in the midst of Christmas shopping season, of the premium was not very convenient, but with a little planning and some savings, paying your entire car insurance can save you [...]
Son of a Budget – Why we don’t budget and why we should
Whenever I am coaching a group of individuals on getting out of debt, I ask the question each week: So, how are your budgets going? What follows is a long awkward silence finally ended by someone saying, “hmm, pretty good.” It’s the same response I give to my wife when she asks me how my [...]
Setting Your Budget
So, you are ready to start budgeting? This really isn’t as painful as you think.
Know the Numbers
Quick. Off the top of your head, what are your monthly fixed and variable expenses? What is your net income after taxes and tithe per month? What is the net profit or loss? These are the important numbers that [...]
Budgeting for Christmas
Do you know what you are spending this Christmas?
It is not too late to write out your Christmas budget for this year. Knowing your budget limits will help you figure out how much you can spend on each special person in your life without having to pay for Christmas for the first 6 months of [...]

