How to Budget and Stay Out of Debt

Filed under: THE BUDGET PANTRY

A budget is an extremely important tool to help you stay on top of your spending to ensure you do not go into debt. For those individuals who are already in debt, a budget will help put spending habits into perspective. Change is a lengthy and difficult process. It is common to feel hopeless, impossible or even deprived. However, like in the story “The Tortoise and the Hare”, if you work slowly and steadily, you can achieve what you put your mind to. Don’t look at solving your debt problems as you would dieting. “Diets” generally do not work. Subtle changes over time will result in long term habits and eventually financial peace of mind.

One thing Franklin Covey, many life coaches, and weight loss books have in common is the first thing they ask you to do when you want to make a change is to keep a journal. Our goal is to become free of debt. Jot down every living expense that you owe. We use a white board above our desk. You could use software programs or paper and a pencil. Living expenses may include: rent/mortgage, house and car insurance, security service, pest service, electric company, gas company, water, sewage, gas for your car, cell and/or home phone, cable, internet, food, entertainment, baby, online services such video/game rentals, credit cards, loans.

Now, list the amount you pay and the budgeted amount (what you can spend each month in each category based on your income). Some expenditures are fixed, the mortgage, insurance and city services, meaning they are the same amount every month; while others have a budgeted allotment we work toward changing such as the electric bill, food and gasoline. Be reasonable and realistic. If you are spending more than you are bringing in sit down and decide what items need to be eliminated, temporarily suspended or which services you can call to negotiate a better price.

For us, the majority of our money was escaping through nickel and dime purchases. Once we started to keep close tabs on what we were spending our money on we had a better idea how to tackle the problem. Which is why it is extremely beneficial to also begin keeping a log of every single purchase you make. Let me reiterate, EVERY single purchase cash and credit no matter how tiny or huge. If you spend most of your money eating out, try cutting out 1 to 2 outings a week and then go down from there. You won’t feel so deprived. How much you save depends on how aggressive you are. Review the list every week or monthly to help you “keep moving forward”.

I had a yoga teacher once that stressed “you only get back what you put in.” If you sacrifice a lot you will reach your goal faster.

Technorati Tags: budgets, how to budget, money management, saving money, stay out of debt, thrifty

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Cleanup With Green/Homemade Cleaners.

Filed under: KITCHEN SCIENCE, THE BUDGET PANTRY

When my kids are bored I illicit their help with cleaning the house in addition to their regular chores. They are still young enough not to mind. Even the baby likes to help out. I learned how to make my own cleaning products a couple years ago in a quest to save money. Now I do not have to worry about little hands touching toxic harmful chemicals.

Everything you need to make your own kid friendly cleaners are common house hold products: Lemon Juice, Distilled White Vinegar, Baking Soda, olive oil, baby wipes and rubbing alcohol.

All Purpose Mix: Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle. Good for porcelain, tile and glass. Do not use on natural stone.
Laundry: Add 1/2 cup vinegar in the place of liquid fabric softener.
Scrub: Mix water and baking soda to form a paste. Use on porcelain, fixtures and tile.
CLR: Remove hard water stains with Toothpaste.
Toilet Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet. Add some vinegar and let sit for a few hours then scrub.
Polisher: Use lemon oil on bathroom fixtures, obscure shower glass to doors and stainless steel kitchen sinks to give them a nice polished shine.
Furniture Polish: combine 2 parts lemon juice and 1 part olive oil.
Stain Remover: Use Rubbing Alcohol, salt or 1/4 tsp dish soap in a quart of water.
Window Cleaner: spray windows with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. Clean using old newspapers.
Disinfectant Wipes: pour rubbing alcohol into a box of baby wipes. Just enough to make them moist not soaked.

Technorati Tags: allergy free cleaning supplies, going green, green cleaning products, kid safe, safe cleaning products

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