Comments on: Budgets work http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/ An honest look at family finances Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:22:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: InDebtToo http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/#comment-339 InDebtToo Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:01:42 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=169#comment-339 Food and home improvements seem to be the money sinks for us. We've been doing better on the home improvements expenses lately, but struggling with the food still. We do weekly or twice-monthly meal planning which helps a LOT but still manage to end up with a few too many extras. I suppose I do best when I have the meal planning done, then do online grocery shopping. Not sure if that's an option in the US, but in the UK all the major grocery stores deliver for a reasonable fee (the fee is way less than the extra food I'd end up buying if I go to the store). So I guess I need to get back on track with meal planning/online groceries. Food and home improvements seem to be the money sinks for us. We’ve been doing better on the home improvements expenses lately, but struggling with the food still. We do weekly or twice-monthly meal planning which helps a LOT but still manage to end up with a few too many extras. I suppose I do best when I have the meal planning done, then do online grocery shopping. Not sure if that’s an option in the US, but in the UK all the major grocery stores deliver for a reasonable fee (the fee is way less than the extra food I’d end up buying if I go to the store). So I guess I need to get back on track with meal planning/online groceries.

]]> By: Ashley http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/#comment-337 Ashley Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:17:10 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=169#comment-337 To Mrs Micah: That's a good idea. I like to use the receipts so that I know for sure what has been put in the budget and what hasn't been. If it's in my wallet it's not in the budget. If I was better about doing it every night like I should then the online thing is a good way to go about it. Then you don't have to worry about whether or not you got a receipt. To Money love: Yeah, I can't wait for that. My son has been leaking through the biggest size of the store brand, so we are going to try name brand next. Hopefully soon we will be out of them for good. To Mrs Micah: That’s a good idea. I like to use the receipts so that I know for sure what has been put in the budget and what hasn’t been. If it’s in my wallet it’s not in the budget. If I was better about doing it every night like I should then the online thing is a good way to go about it. Then you don’t have to worry about whether or not you got a receipt.

To Money love: Yeah, I can’t wait for that. My son has been leaking through the biggest size of the store brand, so we are going to try name brand next. Hopefully soon we will be out of them for good.

]]> By: moneyloveandchange http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/#comment-336 moneyloveandchange Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:26:37 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=169#comment-336 Groceries have been a killer for us as well, so don't feel too bad! I am about $20 over every week, and I am not sure how to plug the leak. Actually, if my son will start using the potty, that would help! Groceries have been a killer for us as well, so don’t feel too bad! I am about $20 over every week, and I am not sure how to plug the leak. Actually, if my son will start using the potty, that would help!

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/#comment-333 Mrs. Micah Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:41:23 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=169#comment-333 One thing I do now is use my online statements to transfer most of the information (how much I spent where). It works quite well as long as I a) don't wait so long I forget what category it goes into and b) don't have to split up the purchase into multiple categories. Means less messing with receipts. One thing I do now is use my online statements to transfer most of the information (how much I spent where). It works quite well as long as I a) don’t wait so long I forget what category it goes into and b) don’t have to split up the purchase into multiple categories. Means less messing with receipts.

]]> By: Ashley http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/#comment-332 Ashley Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:31:16 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=169#comment-332 To Bruce: Yeah, normally it is fine. I was just extra lazy last month for some reason. It was only a few dollars over, I just thought we were going to be under. This is a good time to get motivated to keep up with it better. To Bruce: Yeah, normally it is fine. I was just extra lazy last month for some reason. It was only a few dollars over, I just thought we were going to be under. This is a good time to get motivated to keep up with it better.

]]> By: Bruce "the tax guy" http://wideopenwallet.com/2008/07/budgets-work/#comment-331 Bruce "the tax guy" Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:05:45 +0000 http://wideopenwallet.com/?p=169#comment-331 A hard lesson. At least to learn it in that manner. Yes budgets work, and not in just your house. The key and the flaw are the same. It only works if you use it. Most don’t keep up with it. Don’t feel bad we don’t keep up with ours either. A hard lesson. At least to learn it in that manner.
Yes budgets work, and not in just your house.
The key and the flaw are the same.
It only works if you use it.
Most don’t keep up with it.

Don’t feel bad we don’t keep up with ours either.

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