Are You In A Budget Crisis?

by Lisa O'Connor

Ask yourself the following questions:

 Are you overspending each month?
 Do you have to make credit card purchases daily?
 Are you living from paycheck to paycheck?
 Are you only able to pay the bare minimum on your credit card debts?
 Are you unable to make "ends" meet?
 Do you wish you could save money?
 Do you wish you could fulfill some of your goals and dreams?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are in a state of budget crisis. There is hope! You can regain your financial health.

Make an expense list: Divide your expenses into two categories, fixed and variable.

Fixed expenses include things like: Rent, Mortgage, Car payment, etc.

Variable expenses would include things like: Dining out, Movies, Telephone bill, Car Repairs, etc.

Start with cutting your variable expense first. Here are some ways to cut your expenses:

 Take public transportation
 Buy generic products
 Wait until the end of a season to buy clothes
 Don't grocery shop when your hungry
 Shop at yard sales, thrift shop, and flea markets

If after you cut down on your variable expenses, you find your expense figure is still too high, try shaving off some of your fixed expenses if you can. Once you've gotten your monthly expense figure down as much as your able to, strive to not spend above that figure.

Put yourself on a strict plan for one month. Only purchase necessities and try keeping a spending diary for the month. Estimate your expenses then record your actual spending. Compare the two. Hopefully, if you've stuck to your plan you will see some extra money at the end of the month!

Cutting your expenses is not a sacrifice on your part. Think of it as an investment towards your goals and dreams. With the money you free up perhaps you will be able to pursue them. With some dedication, determination and desire to do so, You can regain your financial health!

Lisa O'Connor is the author of "The Home Budget Guide" Visit her site www.lisasgiftcottage.com/thbg.html and editor of Womanhood Ezine--striving to empower, support, enrich, and educate via articles, resources, opportunities and more. Subscribe to her ezine womanhood-subscribe@topica.email-publisher.com

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