Successful Budgeting

90% of people in our culture buy things they can’t afford, and, as Jim Rohn used to say, “have too much month at the end of the money”.

This has happened to me, and I have learned the lesson, but change is painful, and winning at money is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge. That’s why successful and consistent budgeting is part of my goals during these 100 days. I’m tired of buying things I don’t need, with money I don’t have (studies reveal that people spend 47% more when using credit instead of cash) because I fail to plan ahead. Focused intensity is required to win at the money game. We need to understand that if we keep doing the same things over and over, we will keep getting the same results over and over.

So this is the plan. You must set up a budget, a written budget, and do it every month. Don't try to have the perfect budget for the perfect month, because we never have those. You should spend every dollar in paper before the month begins.  Give every dollar of your income a name. And, if you're married, agree on a budget with your spouse (if you aren't working together, it's almost impossible to win.

You are the president of You, Inc.

Think for a moment. What would you do if you didn’t have any payments? Imagine what you would do with the extra money, every month. You would put some money away for retirement, money away for college, money away for that dream vacation.

I am an amateur budgeter, but I am willing to learn. Will you?

As Dave Ramsey puts it, "If you live like no one else, later you can live like no one else."