Posted on September 19, 2008 at 11:41 am How many people really budget?  I am an accountant and I am in charge of budgets for the company and the companies we own.  I budget monthly at work and then create an annual budget.  I'm also the one who reports variances from these budgets.  A lot of times I see people here at work (management) not care about the budget and just spend money.   So my question is- Do you do a personal budget?  How close are you to your budget?  I do budget- I budget monthly at home.  I know some people who budget weekly.   Just curious!

Posted on September 19, 2008 at 2:35 pm I can't say I really budget as far as defining set amount for each category and sticking to it, but I don't just spend without paying any attention either.What I tend to do is look over the last months expenses after the fact and see where the money is going.  I take a mental note and try to cut back on areas we're over spending, but don't monitor it from day to day like I probably should.I will say there's a nice budgeting tool on the site for those who are interested in starting.  Doing it online sure beats filling it out on paper in my opinion and you get some handy charts to help you see where the money is going.

Posted on September 20, 2008 at 7:31 am I like this idea as well.  I actually will right down for a week where every penny goes.  This helps me get back on track.  It's easy to spend money here and there for no good reason- coffee out in the morning - grabbing a snack at the gas station. That sort of thing.I like the idea of online budgetting as well.

Posted on September 30, 2008 at 4:15 am I cannot say that i do budgetting monthly. But i do budgetting when the financial situation is very tight.And they are indeed handy during crisis time.

Posted on February 5, 2009 at 5:00 am Well I have a budgeting sheet and I fill it out every week. It's not hard it goes like this and anyone can do it! Morgage/Rent      $300 Shopping             $100 Petrol                  $100 Spending            $50 Work your other bills and expenses around your weekly pay. Only spend what you've got. Easy!      

Posted on February 5, 2009 at 5:35 pm I do not have a real good budget program but I am going to have one this weekend.

Posted on February 8, 2009 at 8:59 am I have a budget plan, and I have had to revise it several times as my income varies month to month.  I would like to add that when you make your budget make sure you leave a little "wiggle" room and not to budget "every red cent!"  You'll be glad that you gave yourself a little extra room.  Afterall, nobody wants to wear pants that are to tight.

Posted on February 8, 2009 at 6:52 pm I've got this problem with budgets. Whenever someone starts talking about numbers, my brain runs away screaming!No, I'll be serious. Budgets are scary because they make you act all grownup and face some facts. People would rather live in that LaLa land where they can have everything they want, and we all know that aint so.With the current global economic situation, it's even more not so. Times are hard, and we have to be adult and come up with strategies to cope with these harsh times. My personal goal, which I just thought of ten seconds ago, is to count how much money I have on me in cash at the moment, and have that much or more this time next weekI'll see if I can do it  without raiding my accounts, particularly without raiding my credit.

Posted on March 24, 2009 at 2:17 pm A couple times a year, I work up a budget or estimated amount that I want to spend on each category or expense. But that amount has to vary due to seasonal issues. For instance, our water bill goes from $45 to $55 or more during the tourist season when we are charged for their usage and it's all prorated so local residents take the brunt of things. And, our electric bill goes from $80 monthly to $175 or more during the summer and then back down again in the fall and winter. So I have to pick a nice medium.When doing a budget, I might say that my monthly electricity price is $100 or $115 which is about average.

Posted on March 31, 2009 at 12:16 am I have to live on a budget because I have no choice! I have just a little bit of money and I have to count every penny!