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Budgeting *#!@*

I know, start with the bad language... but honestly, the word budget is not all that bad!!  Learn how to budget, and you are halfway to reaching your financial dreams...

Had bad luck with budgeting?  Tried to start a budget and gotten nowhere with it?

Here is a golden rule *** credit cards ruin budgets ***

I know, it feels great to walk into the store and buy that tv, or microwave, or have that fancy night out a posh restaurant (4 times a week!!).  But we have all gone through the experience of getting the credit card bill at the end of the month, and being shocked at how much it added up, right?

Read my post about credit cards, and the secrets credit card companies don't want you to know..

Back to budgeting!

Here are 20 tips that will get you on the path to financial control and freedom:

1. Where does it all go?

Use a spreadsheet, or a notebook, or even the back of a piece of toilet paper (preferably not used).. it doesn't matter for now... just pick something to write on.

-start writing down everything you spend.  Go through bank statements and those dreaded credit card statements.  Organise the costs into categories i.e. groceries, gasoline, Dr's visits, dining out, household costs, utilities etc