I went to the first class and it was great. I missed the second one, but I've been working through the workbook and learning a lot about myself and my money habits.
Its hard being a single person and trying to budget. Because there is no built in accountability partner. I'd like this blog to be part of my accountability system. Posting all of my financial oopses may help me to not make them anymore. And to my readers, feel free to give me a swift kick in the pants if you see me needing one. LOL, be gentle though.
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label finances. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
DAVE RAMSEY LIVE!!!
I'm going to the Dave Ramsey Live event this Saturday!! I am so excited. I got discount tickets through work, and we were given permission to share the code, so if any of my readers are going to be in Salt Lake this Saturday, the promo code is ZIONSFPU
I can't wait! And I also found out that they are offering Financial Peace University at the CEU campus in Blanding. I'm going to go to that, the preview class is this tuesday.
Now for my personal update. I moved to a place that offers cheaper rent, I'll be saving close to $200. I am rebuilding my e-fund, paying minimums on my debts and getting things organized again.
I used the Economic Stimulus Rebate to pay some things down and get caught up on others. I'll be getting a bonus from work soon and will use that for the same thing.
If anyone gets a chance, listen to some of the podcasts of the Dave Ramsey show, especially on Fridays. Its very inspiring!
I can't wait! And I also found out that they are offering Financial Peace University at the CEU campus in Blanding. I'm going to go to that, the preview class is this tuesday.
Now for my personal update. I moved to a place that offers cheaper rent, I'll be saving close to $200. I am rebuilding my e-fund, paying minimums on my debts and getting things organized again.
I used the Economic Stimulus Rebate to pay some things down and get caught up on others. I'll be getting a bonus from work soon and will use that for the same thing.
If anyone gets a chance, listen to some of the podcasts of the Dave Ramsey show, especially on Fridays. Its very inspiring!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Budgeting.....revisited
How did my budget go this month? Great! I think. As I have worked on following the budget, and tracking my spending, I have noticed one amazing and wonderful perk...my bank account balance has not come close to going below $100. If anyone knows me, you know that is an amazing feat. Just a couple months ago, I was going into the negative every month, hoping that a paycheck would go through before everything hit my account and bounced. And usually every month, for about 2 or 3 days before payday, my account was in the negative.
Here is what has really helped me. I always have two programs running on my computer, at all times. My internet browser, with one tab always dedicated to the bank's website, and my finance software, Ace Money Lite In the finance program, I have scheduled all of my bills, indicating which are paid every month and on what days, and also scheduled each paycheck, with an estimated amount. This gives me the option of viewing my finances 2 months ahead of schedule, having the bills scheduled let's me get all of the necessary expenses budgeted, and all I have to do is look at the ledger to decide what needs to be paid. So this is what it looks like today, starting with the paycheck, and then listing what bills will be paid with it, and then a running total balance. (and it looks much neater in the software program than it does on this page)
11/16/2007 Cristina Gerrard Wages and Salary:Net Pay 446.90 448.72
11/16/2007 Questar Gas Bills:Natural Gas 57.00 391.72
11/16/2007 Monticello 3rd Ward Donations:Tithing 45.00 346.72
11/16/2007 Grocery Cash Envelope Food:Groceries 80.00 266.72
11/16/2007 Gas Cash Envelope Automobile:Gasoline 20.00 246.72
11/16/2007 Emergency Savings Savings 100.00 146.72
11/16/2007 Devon's Repair Service Automobile:Maintenance 100.00 46.72
I love finance software, and since I can't quite justify paying $60 for one of the larger programs that can track more than just day to day spending, I'll use this handy free one until I need to track more accounts, like retirement and taxes, and investments. I've also found that just being able to track my regular checking account with this program, and not knowing what is in the savings account means that I just keep adding money to the savings account without being tempted to take it out to cover trivial expenses.
Remember they call it personal finance for a reason, its personal. What works for me, may not work for everyone, but I hope it can be a good place to start, sometimes we need another's example to inspire us.
Here is what has really helped me. I always have two programs running on my computer, at all times. My internet browser, with one tab always dedicated to the bank's website, and my finance software, Ace Money Lite In the finance program, I have scheduled all of my bills, indicating which are paid every month and on what days, and also scheduled each paycheck, with an estimated amount. This gives me the option of viewing my finances 2 months ahead of schedule, having the bills scheduled let's me get all of the necessary expenses budgeted, and all I have to do is look at the ledger to decide what needs to be paid. So this is what it looks like today, starting with the paycheck, and then listing what bills will be paid with it, and then a running total balance. (and it looks much neater in the software program than it does on this page)
11/16/2007 Cristina Gerrard Wages and Salary:Net Pay 446.90 448.72
11/16/2007 Questar Gas Bills:Natural Gas 57.00 391.72
11/16/2007 Monticello 3rd Ward Donations:Tithing 45.00 346.72
11/16/2007 Grocery Cash Envelope Food:Groceries 80.00 266.72
11/16/2007 Gas Cash Envelope Automobile:Gasoline 20.00 246.72
11/16/2007 Emergency Savings Savings 100.00 146.72
11/16/2007 Devon's Repair Service Automobile:Maintenance 100.00 46.72
I love finance software, and since I can't quite justify paying $60 for one of the larger programs that can track more than just day to day spending, I'll use this handy free one until I need to track more accounts, like retirement and taxes, and investments. I've also found that just being able to track my regular checking account with this program, and not knowing what is in the savings account means that I just keep adding money to the savings account without being tempted to take it out to cover trivial expenses.
Remember they call it personal finance for a reason, its personal. What works for me, may not work for everyone, but I hope it can be a good place to start, sometimes we need another's example to inspire us.
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