how do you manage your money? (budgeting for each month)

[z0mb13]

I am currently using microsoft money

how about u guys?

 

[MustISO]

We don't use anything. The only way I know how much we have is from the bank statements. We don't even balance our checkbooks.

 

[mryellow2]

It's simple enough for me to just do in my head.

Budget 1100 for car/rent/cell/other necessary things

300 for food/groceris

200-300 for random expenses(alcohol mostly)

put 300-400 into savings.

 

[sniperruff]

just save everything and take out whatever is needed.

 

[KarenMarie]

I am in charge of three accounts... my personal, the b/f personal and the b/f business. He hands me the checks, and I take care of the rest... I deposit everything, and pay out what is needed for monthlies. If we want to splurge on something, we ususally use my personal account and save the $$$ in his personal account. No software, no checkbooks (the accountant deals with his business). If I need to know how much is in a certain account, I just go online and check it.

 

[johnjbruin]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
just save everything and take out whatever is needed.

 

[moshquerade]

just pay off your credit card every month and if you can't you've overspent.

money managed.

 

[z0mb13]

so at any given point u wont know how much u spent on food, gas, dining out, etc etc?

 

[TwiceOver]

I use MS Money. Does the job. Soon my CC will be paid off and I'll go the way moshquerade has mentioned.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: z0mb13
so at any given point u wont know how much u spent on food, gas, dining out, etc etc?

it doesn't really matter as long as you can pay all your bills and have money left over for stuff.

 

[Chaotic42]

I don't. I make way more than I spend, so I don't worry about it.

 

[Descartes]

All of my bills are paid automatically (save for one that changes each month), and I transfer money to my savings automatically. I don't even think about it.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I don't. I make way more than I spend, so I don't worry about it.

share some of that wealth with the less fortunate, i.e. ME

 

[dionx]

i use excel. it gives me alot more customization over MS Money.

and i try to buy everything on CC and pay it off at the end of the month. its easier to keep track of purchases through a CC rather than cash.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: dionx
i use excel. it gives me alot more customization over MS Money.

and i try to buy everything on CC and pay it off at the end of the month. its easier to keep track of purchases through a CC rather than cash.

I tried doing that buy ms money is so much easier to use

you can even budget ur expenses (for example I want to budget 200 for gas this month, etc)

and money makes a nice report at any given time where ur money goes

 

[RossMAN]

I don't use anything.

 

[Toastedlightly]

is "badly" an answer....

 

[GTaudiophile]

I use an excel spreadsheet. I simply keep a log of all of my pay checks, calculate my avg. monthly income (fluctuates higher when I have heavy travel months) before taxes, subrtract my taxes and other monthly expenses (car insurance, renter's insurance, telecom expenses), leaving me my avg. "mad money" amount per month. This goes to savings where it is later used to pay for credit cards or be invested.

 

[seanws]

been using quicken for 15 years or so

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I don't. I make way more than I spend, so I don't worry about it.

same. I have the car, gas & groceries (not take out) portion of CC, and unanticipated expenses, and plust that, I leave myself about 300$ a month in discressionary. The rest goes to ING.

edit: forgot, I prepaid my rent with all utilities included in cash until august

 

[randomlinh]

I use excel (or any spreadsheet for that matter). It seems to work out simpler than w/ money or quicken. Granted, I've been slacking on it for a while.

 

[SWScorch]

umm, I don't buy anything and hope to god that I have enough to pay my bills.

Seriously, I only ever buy necessities, like groceries, and just make sure I always have enough to cover my bills.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: MustISO
We don't use anything. The only way I know how much we have is from the bank statements. We don't even balance our checkbooks.

Ditto