For a while I was using the You Need a Budget budgeting system (it's the link I have in DT partners at the bottom of all pages at DT).  I stopped using it for a few months, but I've decided to  go back to it.  With our finances changing next month - more money coming in from me, hopefully less coming in from DH's freelance as he is able to cut back on those hours - I feel like I need to get back to a tighter picture of where our money comes from and goes to each month.

You Need a Budget

It's a pretty cool system that runs on Excel, Open Office, etc.  And Jesse, the creator, is really helpful, too.  If anyone else is interested in trying it out we can go through using it together.

I think it's harder than it sounds!  Essential bills aside (gas, groceries, utilities, etc.) it's easy to spend a little here and a little there on coffee, snacks, etc.

I find for me a lack of planning and preparation often leads to non-essential spending.  (Although even with planning and preparation I still find myself spending money on things I simply don't need.  Not that that's inherently "bad" - just an observation about myself.)

I did start using YNAB at the beginning of September and so far it's been useful. 

I think the #1 benefit of being on a budget and keeping track of spending on a day-to-day basis, for me, is that it keeps me very conscious of my spending and of my goals.  I don't always stick to my budget - I'm over in several categories already with a week left to go - but I figure I'm doing better than I would have if I'd been spending willy nilly with no accountabiity to myself.

I wanted to revive this topic.  I am still using the YNAB program (link in first post) and I really like it.  It keeps me accountable all month long as to where my money is going, and it makes it easy for me to set aside money for future bills (insurance, car registration, etc) so that I have a better picture of how much money I actually have to spend in any given month.

(I am an affiliate with this company because I really like their product and can recommend it with no reservations whatsoever.)

With new year's resolutions and whatnot, I wanted to bring this back up.  It works for me!

Now that I've used a budget for so long, I can't imagine not having one.  It is liberating to know where the money is going.  Even if I spend more than I had budgeted at least I know it and am not living in dread of the credit card bill.  It's there, I've acknowledged it, I move on.  And for planning for future purposes it is so helpful.  Budgets and automatic savings are what keep me moving forward and healthy with regards to my finances.

I'd be happy to help if you have questions about the YNAB spreadsheets.  It's easy once you've got it rolling but can seem a little confusing at first.