What Breaks Your Budget?
I just remembered another thing...at my work I can purchase food by swiping my badge and it automatically gets deducted from my paycheck. This can get me into big trouble because it doesn't feel like I'm actually spending money until my paycheck comes and I see that I've spent $40. I try my best to bring my lunch instead, and what helps me do that is to make a larger dinner so I have leftovers to bring for lunch.
For some people Christmas time is a budget breaker, but this is the first year that I planned ahead and was able to stick to my budget. However I find that when I purchase something on the spur of the moment without taking the time to think about it, it strains my budget.
Idle hands are the devils playground. When I have too much time on my hands and am bored, thats when I get an itch to go out and buy something to satisfy my need for something new. For the most part I'll get something tangible, something that will benefit me in the long run ie. new shoes, work clothes, new netbook (its great!). When I'm busy, whether with work, friends, my girlfriend, staying active, etc., thats why I save cause I'm just too busy to go spend money.
I am usually good with my money....however, I do get sloppy. I think I can balance everthing in my head sometimes and then...just when I think I have everything tallied up in my head...I have an NFS on my account...and that $6 dollar subway meal I totally had forgotten about which results in a subway costing $30 :(
NSF's are the worst- they kick when you're already down! Being able to see exactly where your headed dollar-for-dollar is exactly what the BuildMyBudget Method and why it works. After you receive your paycheck and pay all of your bills, you can see exactly how much you have left until you get paid again, and can either keep a watchful eye or just withdraw your spending cash for the next couple weeks. During the week you can update your budget so you always know exactly what is in your account.
And wa-la! No more $30 sandwiches. =)
Often enough we create a budget only to watch as we overspend in every category. Where do you run into trouble? Is it the "accidental" splurge at the mall or perhaps an emergency expense such as car maintenance that blind-sides you? Share what budget-breaker you run into the most.
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Being able to see where you are headed today is the key to achieving your financial goals tomorrow.
It's never too late to create a budget and get on the stress free plan.