Olde Hornet
Well-Known Member
With the holidays coming - this looked like a good series of articles
https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...get-busting-bills-cutting-spending/535731001/
For many Americans, the monthly bill-paying ritual prompts the question: Where did all my money go? Or even worse: Finding out you don’t have enough money to pay for everything.
“About a quarter of Americans have no emergency savings,” says Bankrate.com chief financial analyst Greg McBride, a situation that leaves them financially vulnerable. A recent survey found that 78% of full-time workers say they live paycheck-to-paycheck.
So what can you do to make sure you have enough money each month to not only pay your bills but also be able to save for your future and achieve your financial goals? Start by creating a budget.
A budget is a monthly plan that breaks down where you allocate your income into categories. It will help you take control of your money, see where it’s going and point to areas where you might be able to cut costs and save money.
"A budget helps you get organized with your spending so you can meet your financial goals," says NerdWallet's personal finance writer Kimberly Palmer. "A budget is like a map with a suggested route for your money — it gives you gentle reminders and redirections when necessary."
https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...get-busting-bills-cutting-spending/535731001/
For many Americans, the monthly bill-paying ritual prompts the question: Where did all my money go? Or even worse: Finding out you don’t have enough money to pay for everything.
“About a quarter of Americans have no emergency savings,” says Bankrate.com chief financial analyst Greg McBride, a situation that leaves them financially vulnerable. A recent survey found that 78% of full-time workers say they live paycheck-to-paycheck.
So what can you do to make sure you have enough money each month to not only pay your bills but also be able to save for your future and achieve your financial goals? Start by creating a budget.
A budget is a monthly plan that breaks down where you allocate your income into categories. It will help you take control of your money, see where it’s going and point to areas where you might be able to cut costs and save money.
"A budget helps you get organized with your spending so you can meet your financial goals," says NerdWallet's personal finance writer Kimberly Palmer. "A budget is like a map with a suggested route for your money — it gives you gentle reminders and redirections when necessary."