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| trixiezzz |
 Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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The best one for my family has been to draw up a budget and stick to it. Then when unexpected windfalls come our way ~ tax refunds, large cash gifts (I wish), or when we get a raise ~ we stick to the old budget and just sock the new, extra money into savings/investments.
When we're on a spending plan like this we do much better over time. It surprises us how much we're able to save without really "missing" it. |
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| nemesis |
| Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:41 am Post subject: hey |
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Member of the Month! March
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Hey there,..
Hehe you can actually stick to your budget? hmm....i find it sooo hard. Everytime,...i raise it,..!! but a very good idea is to carry small amouts of cash with you. Then you reasile you dont have much left,...if you have rather large sums, they tend to get spend alot.. hehe |
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| trixiezzz |
| Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:50 am Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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Well, I have problems sticking to the budget, too. That's why I include a "miscellaneous" category with a little bit of money in it each week. That way, I can cover a FEW impulse items and not feel deprived.  |
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| paula0000 |
| Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 2:42 am Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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| I have to second the idea of "impulses". I must factor in a few treats in the budget or life can seem mundane and boring. I find when you realistically add some extras it helps you keep on budget with the rest. |
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| nemesis |
| Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 10:18 pm Post subject: hmm |
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Member of the Month! March
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Hey there,..
Here is an easy way how not to exeed you budget! If you need to buy you r computer accessories for example a printer and you budget is 200$, then only bring 200$ along or so. Because i check how much i have and if its more,....i exede my budget hehe.....uurrggh.....gaaah...!! bad mistake |
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| blackfoxtrade |
| Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 7:29 am Post subject: |
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Associate
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I've tried to stick to my budget but for me it's just impossible...
the only solution I can see is to earn more  |
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| junsta17 |
| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:21 am Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| Working in the legal industry, I usually weigh purchase in terms of overtime hours, which is pretty convenient. |
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| freeye |
| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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to blackfoxtrade:
have you tried paying yourself first? in order to save money... set up an automatic monthly investment into 3 low cost mutual funds.
one key is to have the money deducted from your bank account soon after your check is deposited, this helps insure you will not have time to spend it.
start with the smallest amount that they will allow to invest each month. some used to set it at $50 per month.
quite often people find that they do not even miss the money since many people set there spending based on the bank account balance.
if your 30 yrs old put 70% into a low cost total stock market fund
25% into a low cost ginnie mae bond fund
5% into a low cost money market fund
the money market fund would only be raided for real emergencies like suprise medical, car bills, fix roof, water heater etc.
many start looking with vanguard mutual funds.
let us know here if you give this a try. since others may benefit from your fresh experience with it.
freeye |
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| blackfoxtrade |
| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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Associate
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| freeye wrote: | to blackfoxtrade:
have you tried paying yourself first? in order to save money... set up an automatic monthly investment into 3 low cost mutual funds.
one key is to have the money deducted from your bank account soon after your check is deposited, this helps insure you will not have time to spend it.
start with the smallest amount that they will allow to invest each month. some used to set it at $50 per month.
quite often people find that they do not even miss the money since many people set there spending based on the bank account balance.
if your 30 yrs old put 70% into a low cost total stock market fund
25% into a low cost ginnie mae bond fund
5% into a low cost money market fund
the money market fund would only be raided for real emergencies like suprise medical, car bills, fix roof, water heater etc.
many start looking with vanguard mutual funds.
let us know here if you give this a try. since others may benefit from your fresh experience with it.
freeye |
Thanks for that, but actually I am not working yet - I am a student. 
So my budget is quite small and anyway I am going to be trading soon  and I have already managed my spending sickness. |
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| MrInvestor |
| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 4:14 am Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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Well, I'm horrible at saving money and I'm just about 30.
I think I'll give that a try freeye. I don't think I'd miss $50/paycheck.
Right now the only thing I have is the 401k. |
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| pinwheel |
| Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Investing Associate
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Paying yourself first is a very smart way to go...with direct deposit, this can be done relatively easily!
I'm awful with budgeting and instead use my budget more to monitor spending over time...at least then I can learn from my past, even if I can't stick to budgets in the present... |
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