Why We Do a Yearly Budget Audit
My husband and I established a budget over 20 years ago when we married. We don’t find a budget restrictive; instead, adhering to our budget has allowed us to make financial gains we couldn’t have if we didn’t monitor our income and expenses carefully and budget for every dollar. However, times change—our income increases, and, recently, inflation has driven up the cost of everything–which...
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Why Being YNAB Broke Is Good
I have tried many budgeting software programs over the past twenty years. Initially, I wrote my budget on pen and paper, which worked fine when I was single and for the first year or two of married life. Then, when our finances became more complex, I tried several electronic budgeting programs, but I didn’t find success until I started using YNAB (You Need a Budget). I have used this program for...
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How Should You Handle Cash Gifts When You’re Broke?
If you were lucky this Christmas, you likely got a variety of Christmas gifts, perhaps including cash. However, if you sometimes need to ask others for financial help, how should you handle cash gifts when you’re broke? You have several responsible options.
Ask the Giver How They Intend the Gift to Be Used
If you know the gift giver well, the easiest solution is to ask how she intends the money...
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How to Avoid Debt Confusion
When you have more debt than you can handle, the natural reaction is to shut down. You may not even know how much debt you have, what interest rate you’re paying, or when your payments are due. This reaction is normal; facing your debts can be overwhelming. However, if you take steps to organize your debts, you can avoid debt confusion and begin to gain control of your finances.
Steps to Take to...
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Budget Management: How to Pick the Right Budget For You
It’s not easy to pick the right budget, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all experience. Your circumstances and goals are specific to you, and your budget should be too. With so many options out there, from envelopes to percentages, it can be hard to figure out what’s best for your situation. Generally speaking, a budget will show your income and expenses and the difference between the two....
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