Comments on: I Don’t Have a Budget

By: Devon

Devon — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:49:44 +0000

I, too, tried budget software, but after a week or so I began to get lazy with it.

Also like you, I have found Excel to be the most helpful. I use it to calculate my financial budget, and my calorie budget.

Every morning I update both spreadsheets while I’m sipping on my coffee. I know it’s not for everyone, but it sure helped me.

By: Carlton Ford

Carlton Ford — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:23 +0000

I just found this post. Your confession was refreshing – thank you. I personally enjoy using Budget Builder Software. It has the spread sheet function as well as the ability to help you build a target amount of savings per month.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:12:31 +0000

The most important part of budgeting is finding a system that works for you. For some software works and for others simple steps like you take seem to work better. There is no one size fits all budgeting program, so if you are happy with your method, stick with it and make it work. Good luck!

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:41:12 +0000

Creating a budget and living within it are two very different things. There are always things that we want or need and in cases of those with good credit; credit is so easy to get.

By: Annie @ Credit Dispute

Annie @ Credit Dispute — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:58:51 +0000

Budgeting requires you to look ahead and formalize future goals. By establishing a budget, you can set goals for achieving a certain level of income and monitor your expenses.

By: Budgeting Basics: An Expense Tracker That Works | Budgets |My Family's Money

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:06:51 +0000

[...] tunnel syndrome for a minute or too. [↩]She is holding this challenge even though “[she doesn't] have a budget.” Is she changing her tune? The universe waits in silence … well, probably not. [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:45:12 +0000

Budgeting is a strange thing. There is no “one Size fits all” approach. Any budget has to be tailored to the individual. There is no point trying to do something that you just know won’t fit with who you are and with your lifestyle.

By: Monty Loree

Monty Loree — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:11:47 +0000

I don’t have a budget either.
I always live way below my means .

I’m practicing being content with what I’ve got, which means that I don’t feel it necessary to spend every penny I’ve got.

If you’re conscientious, you can live without a budget.

It is nice to know what you are making and what you are spending, if you aren’t sure. Spending time knowing about your personal finances is something I recommend to everybody.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:27:10 +0000

@ Diane

- You’re absolutely right. My purpose in writing this entry was to show people that a budget does not have to involve some kind of software, and it doesn’t have to be grand or restrictive. So many people don’t have a hold on their finances, because they hate traditional budgets. My point is that you don’t have to use those – something very basic can work very well, especially if you have irregular income.

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:51:14 +0000

The meaning of budget is ‘an estimate of probable income and expenditures for a given period’.

So, you ‘budget’….

If you weren’t tracking and planning, then you’d be giving no thought to your financial situation – that would be ‘neglecting to plan and review and make adjustments’.

As you describe what you do, you do budget.