I really need to get a budget down! I sort of have one but it doesn't seem to be the best system, if it is a system at all.

I know that this has probably been posted before but I am sure some of us (especially ME) could use it again.

What kind of budget do you use? How does it work? How far ahead do you budget for?

Thanks!

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You are going to hear this 100 times, but you have to find what works for YOU.

Some of us swear by Quicken, some microsoft money, some pen and paper.

I personally do it the old fashioned pen and paper way and budget out my month at the beginning of every month. Dh gets paid twice ,so say if it is the 3rd and 17th, then I write all my bills on a paper I photocopy for every month, It lists: Item, Due date, amount, date paid and amount paid. In the column next to it I write a #3 or 17 so I know which check it is going to come out of. I also include food and gas on this list.

It works for us and I make sure to budget just about every dollar except for 50-100 b/c there will always be something unexpected and the money gets used for that (ie, didn't plan on mailing a package out, but am short on cash, no worries that is what that "extra" is for).

Hope you find a system that works for you!

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I have everything set up on automatic deductions for my checking. I take 200 a month spending money, this includes, hair cuts, walmart or target trips, 25 for household, cleaning, laundry detergent and such, gas goes on WAWA gas card and paid off once a month, but I get 10% back on that card.

Grocery shopping is done with cash appr. $75 a week.

Now what I also do is I sell the kids outgrown stuff at consignment. Once i make that money it goes into an envelope and that is what I pull from to buy new clothes for the kids. We are pretty much bare bones right now, because I do have alot of CC debt I'm working to pay off. But this works for me since I don't have to worry how or when bills are due, it just comes out of the bank.

I upload quicken once a week (Friday's) just for tracking purposes.

I like the Cash only basis for me. I don't have a debit card anymore, and it really makes me think about what I'm buying.

I think the key is finding something that works for you. Quicken is great if you enjoy computers, others swear by the old-fashioned envelope system. Here's a link to an eBook you can download (shameless plug, I wrote it) that can help you:
Uniroyal | Miles 4 Less Signup

There's a section on creating a budget. Good luck!

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What I am doing this yr. is Transferring a certain amount ( For us its 450.00 Per paycheck) to a Different checking account- One that is NOT our Regular Bill paying account.
This account will be the ONLY account We can use for Groceries , Toiletries, eating Out , Kids "extra" Needs for school , Yard sales , Extras, Etc. This will FORCE me to save money on unecessary purchases and Only Spend what I Have in the account. When its Gone its Gone!! No using Money that should Be used for a bill , No Using extra money in the Checking account on Weeks Our Bills are light.
When I make any Paypal money or I sell anything or do surveys etc, The Money also goes into the everything else Fund.

Most "budgets" Overwhelm me. I cannot Allocate every single Penny or else I will Go crazy if I don't Do it "right".

This system at least will Help me Divide, Important Monthly bills apart from Grocery and Whatever else fund. I will also Be Forced to save money at the Grocery Store If we want to Go out to eat or if I want To Get a Haircut or my Nails Done.
I can't question everything and Try to save everywhere, that isen't My style.
I do want to live but Make the most of my money and by only Allowing Myself 900.00 a month for "everything Else", I am going to Make it work!

All the posters are right. You have to find what is right for YOU!!! I'm a non-practicing accountant so I have to see everything layed out for the year. I have a 52 (for every week) column excel spreadsheet with all incomes/bonuses, etc plus all expeditures/bills that go out on a weekly/monthly basis including gas, groceries, insurance, spending money, birthdays, transfers to savings etc. Everything that could possibly occur is accounted for. ***Any unexpected things that happen end up being paid for out of savings as that's what that's there for.

That's what works for me, as I am a overplanner and have to see everything planned out and know where money is coming from and going on a weekly/monthly/yearly basis for planning purposes. It just helps with my comfort level. My brother uses a modified version of this and has worked well for him.

I know some that use Quicken and some that use envelopes and do just as well. GOOD LUCK!!!