i would like to know how to write a good budget?
344927
A good budget is one you that makes sense for you.\n\nFirst you need something to save for, new shoes, car, vacation, retirement etc.\n\nNow you have items to save for place a dollar value next to them and a time frame. For example: New shoes $120 12 months = $10 a month.\n\nYou will have in your budget items that are considered 'fixed' items - like rent/mortgage, utilities, gas/transportation, etc.\n\nLine your fixed items up, then your goals under that, next to all of them will be your monthly figure. Once you have a total, you subtract that from your net(in pocket) pay.\n\nYou will either have money left over OR you will not have enough - this is when you need to rework your budget - for example: New shoes $120 2 years (24 months) = $5 and so on.\n\nI have used new shoes, but of course it can be anything that is important to YOU.\n\nPlease consider, as part of your budget, money for emergencies. Six to twelve months of FIXED living expenses (or somewhere in between ) is a good number. This (emergency fund) may take you a while, but it will be well worth it when you have an emergency.\n\nIf you have a preadsheet program, Xcel or any other, this will make the calculations easier - as it will recalculate as you change items.\n\nGood luck!
788214
Use the envelope system.  Make a realistic budget for each category and when you get paid put that much money into each envelope.  When the money in the envelope is gone you don't buy anything else in that category.
839951
Budget, Budget, Budget.  You need to sit down and write up a budget.  If it ain't on the list and isn't absolutely required then it ain't gettin' done.  As you get used to this each pay period you'll get better at listing everything and estimating bills.  As you go through the month you'll be surprised at how much you'll be tempted to spend on non-requirements.  Make sure you factor in entertainment and food into your budget.  Budget is not a dirty word.  After you do it a few times you'll see it's not a burden.  BTW, get rid of that car or pay if off ASAP.  Alot of people retire poor because they always have a car payment.
696210
Give more than you take. Love as much as you can and often. \nExpress yourself. and budget;)\n(oh and prioritize-PEOPLE PEOPLE PEOPLE over things and $$$)
1107041
I suggest using the Personal Budget System offered by the Financial Freedom Society. http://your.ffsi.com/59173\n\nPoor financial health is the plague of the 21st century. Why? Because NOT ONE of us were ever taught in school how to effectively manage our money, or our time! This has caused snowballing debt, bankruptcies, business failures, divorces in record numbers and it has destroyed the retirement dreams of millions.\n\nThe Cure:\n\nThe Financial Freedom Society.\n\nThe Society's mission is to help eliminate those social diseases by providing affordable training, monthly coaching, and professional services and tools to the masses. \n\nFind out more and get the FREE report \ncalled "The Financial Freedom Formula" \nat: http://your.ffsi.com/59173 \n\nDarren J. Smalley\nIndependant Membership Consultant\nThe Financial Freedom Society\nhttp://your.ffsi.com/59173 \n"A Financial Health Club"
164642
Take a look at the microsoft templates page.  It has lots of financial templates
356431
What do you need? Do a budget, and that should let you know what you need for your loan amount.
325334
Hi,\n\nWell I dound an interesting website that gives an overview of the federal budget. Take a look at : http://www.federalbudget.com/  .\n\nGood Luck!
255343
Here are a few sites to check out. Not sure what your budget is so hope this helps, maybe call some of the numbers and get quotes. Good luck.
396756
device a budget for yourself and make it something you can stick to.  make a commitment to save at least 10-15% of you paycheck each pay period and make sure you do it.  if you can manage to stick to that it'll get easier to not spend all of your money unwisely.
31721
ms money 2006 has budgeting built in. msn money - the web site version is also cool.
470147
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/results.aspx?Scope=TC&Query=budget
276875
for budget purposes, use quicken and enter all the info. toss the receipts into a box or bag after you enter them. you will save a lot of time using the computer and you can do some good planning if you are into it.
118671
by budgetting your time\n\nalot a certain amount of time for each task
207483
Typically you would present your actual numbers for the period  in one column and the budget in another column and maybe last years actual number in the next column in such a fashion that they can be easly compared.  When comparing the amounts by line item big variances would trigger some further investigation.\n\nBudgets are typically for your own use although if you supply a budget to your bank they might want to see a comparison.  Budgets are never a part on any audited financial statements.
1173320
I suggest that before you make a budget (which obviously you need to do), you keep a small notebook with you for a few weeks.  Write down every penny (cash, credit, debit, check) you spend in the notebook.  This will help you build your budget and quickly show you where the leaks are.
905843
I agree with Overload.  You can customise Excel to handle your household budget. It can be as simple or as complicated as you like. What is more imptortant is that you will be involved in the design which will afford you an opportunity to focus on your monthly expenditure. As you get familiar with the expenditure spreadsheet, you can modify the deign to suit your needs.  The problem with off the shelf software is that it has a generic design that quite often is complicated to use and has many redundant features.  Start with a basic spreadsheet that has your monthly outgoings and your income on the other side.  You will find it quite easy. Good luck!