I am trying so hard to stick to a new budget and I only have $24.00 dollars to last me until the end of the month, can I do it? Neither of our cars need gas, I have plenty of food in the house. Tuesday night I have FREE tickets to see Jim Cramer at Bucknell University and my sister in law will be watching the kids free of charge. Any advise? Linda

This is something that I do when we're down to a last little bit of money and I'm attempting to hold out until pay day without touching savings or using a credit card. And maybe it's dumb but it helps me!

I divide the amount of money I have left by the days I have to spend it. And I do this each day and as long as I don't spend it, each day that little daily amount that I have left to spend "grows".

I'll show an example because maybe this doesn't make sense. Let's say I have $50.00 to last me 5 days.
1st day - gives me $10.00 a day.
2nd day - gives me $12.50
3rd day - $16.67
4th day - $25.00
5th day - $50.00

It just helps me feel better about not buying anything! I've done it since college.

I think you can definitely do it. Not needing gas is going to make it easy. Just stay home except for your night out and find a fun family activity to do to keep you occupied.

I'm right there with you except I have to buy formula today so my money will be completely gone. I will have to buy gas to get to work next week and that is unfortunately going to have to go on the cc. Since I don't get paid until wednesday. But I'm only going to put in what I have to so I can get back and forth. I'll fill up after I get paid.

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I am in the same boat as you. The good news is we do have some money if we need it. Just take it one day at a time, there is only 7 days left until you get paid. You said you have food and gas so you will be fine. Just believe you will.

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I can do it! I believe in myself and I thank you for all your upbeat advice! It's mind over stuff, RIGHT? Thanks for the encouragement! Stay tuned I'll let you know how much I have left on Thursday!!

good job staying within your budget! I think you are doing really well. I have less than $3 left for this month (groceries). Not even enough for milk, much less baby food. Oh well, I did good for my first month on a budget!

we really need to get a budget! can anyone help or give advice on where to start? ive tried quickens, but just give up. i need some guidance lol

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Jessical,

My best advice for starting a budget is to [b]keep it simple![b] I don't use any computer programs just pencil and paper.
1. List all income from all sources - total it.
2. List all expenses. Look at past checkbook entries (rent or mortgage, utility bills, food, gas etc.)
3. Do the math. Are you spending more than you make? Then you will need to find ways to either spend less or make more. If you lucky gal can see where you have more money than expenses use the extra to pay off debt.

We used the budget forms from Dave Ramsey's book "The Total Money Makeover" to start with and now I just use notebook paper. We do the envelope system for food, clothing and the like - so that's really simple, when the food envelope is empty we eat at home out of the pantry. I can not recommend his book enough - we have paid off over $20k in debt in the past 15 months - all on one self-employed income (plus a couple of part-time jobs).
See if your local library has a copy of the book. I hope this helped.

I also do what Melsb suggested about allowing yourself a portion of what you have left for each day. It really helps me since teachers only get paid once a month.

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Mommy to the cutest dog in the world!
Human twin babies due Oct. 11, 2008