Monday, February 8, 2010

Budgeting

I recently started following a new blog called Frugal Wife = Wealthy Life. This blog is all about how a wife (or the financially responsible person in a marriage, whether it be husband, wife, or both) can really help a family by living and managing money frugally. Some of their tips deal with spending, some with saving, and some with budgeting.

The blog is written by two sisters and their mother, and they offer suggestions that they personally use to manage their families' finances. I think that it's a very useful blog, and if you're trying to get your finances in order I would recommend that you check it out.

Right now Dave and I are trying to start budgeting again. We started out last semester with a budget, and I would say that we've done a very good job spending money only on things that we can afford. But we've stopped looking at our budget regularly and consciously thinking about it. We've decided (at the recommendation of the Frugal Wife blog) to try out the budgeting tool mint.com. The website keeps track of the different categories that you spend in, and helps you know if you've overspent on your budget. I'll let you know how it goes!

5 comments:

Jody Packard said...

I took a look at the blog. It's interesting - and they're doing things that I already do!!! So that makes it REALLY fascinating! (As in The Importance of Being Earnest) I use Quick Books to track our spending and report it for our counseling businesses and rental properties. And I began entering our family spending too, but got overloaded with accounts to reconcile (three properties; two businesses; my personal; our emergency fund; our account for periodic spending, such as Christmas, weddings, etc.). But I think I'd better get back on it. I like to know where the money is going. It makes it easier - and makes us more accountable - when we can see it clearly in black and white (or red and white) in front of us.

Christin said...

I hate budgeting, haven't done it in months, but this blog and their tips seem reasonable, thanks for the tip!

Lori said...

Wow! That looks so great. I like the idea of tracking through mint.com. We feel like we've made good decisions with our money, but we've never been really good at budgeting and sticking to a strict budget. Let us know how it goes!! You and Dave seem so happy. Yay! And don't worry about the veil. So much was going on that I never got around to calling you or meeting up before we moved. Just give it to someone else that could use it!

Janssen said...

I'm so glad you've found it useful! We've had a good time doing it.

Merry said...

Lori, I'm glad your move has gone well. And I will pass on the veil to someone who needs it.

Janssen, I've been really impressed with your blog, and some of your ideas about reading on your other blog. I'm going to check out my library's audio book options today!