Anybody use a budget planner program? Im looking for a decent one that I can use to help me get back on track and see where all my money is going and start to pay down debt. I have a hard time doing it alone every time I make one up (usually in my head) I end up screwing it up so Im hoping that an actual budget planner with some advice and what not will help me get back on track.
Mrs. TurboDiesel keeps a pocket notebook here in the desk with one page for each month. every bill is listed. amount. what day it is due. checked off as they are paid. she has a good system. I guess the hardest part is putting the system together and sticking to it.
Not a planner per se, just keep track of EVERYTHING you spend for a month. It will help you put things into perspective where your money is going and where you can cut back. Remember to pay yourself (savings) first. Use credit cards only when you have to and pay them off every month. Gary
I had microsoft money manager years ago on a different computer. It let my hook up our checking account and automatically catagorized it into entertainment, bills, financial payments etc. I have not used one since but it was pretty cool when I had it.
Please check out Dave Ramsey's website or listen to his radio show, he his very good and I trust him although I don't agree with everything he says.
I will send my wife over,she will find every red cent you have, when she is done spending it she will have no problem telling you what she spent it on. PS she will be happy to do this for you.
Dave Ramsey has spreadsheets and an outstanding step by step program. Along with budgeting. He's an outstanding resource, and much of it can be had for free. I'd highly recommend his book. Jason from RI.
Many moons ago, BC (before computers) we were struggling a bit. So I sat down and went through old bills. Rather than looking at a month, I looked at all year. Then took that total and divided by 12 which gave us the amount we needed for each month. I wrote down the different categories and how much was needed and at the time we were paid twice per month. So we knew how much went into each category and found some surprises at what we thought we had spent. Of course some will vary, like medical expenses or entertainment or repairs or taxes, etc. Today we still use that same budget but we use a combination of Quicken and Excel. Then come January, using Quicken with just a couple clicks of the mouse we have a sheet that tells us what we spent on each category. Now, should that be raised or lowered for the coming year. It is really quite simple although starting out it will consume a lot of your time. I think we worked on ours off and on for 3 or 4 days but never for a long time each time. It was worth the time spent.
It's a good idea Matt. Dave Ramsey is a good motivator for everyone looking for financial navigation.
Most of it is common sense. However; I can't say enough good about Dave and his plan. Many of us have gotten ourselves into financial trouble for one reason or another. Dave has systematic methods to help get you out of debt and remain out of debt. Dave calls his method of paying down bills Snowball plan. Oddly I took a financial class in the Navy directed at paying off debt. They called the method Powerpay. Essentially they are the same thing. Dave goes beyond that in helping you setup a budget, emergency funds, what do once you've paid off debt. Jason from RI
We use mint.com. It tracks your spending and send reminders when books are due. It even categorizes purchases for you.
That sounds like something Im looking for Ill have to look into that. Ive heard good things about him Ive looked on his website and I like it but his get out of debt budgeting tools are $10 a month Ill have to look at it some more I might try out his free seven day trial.
