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How to start budget?

Hi, I'm new.
I want to start a budget to get rid of my debts to free up some money for other things.
My problem is that i have money coming into my account at different times of the month and so its difficult to find my starting date (i hope i'm making this clear)
I really want a day to day budget tool that i can include cash in also?

Comments

  • I found keeping a spending diary was the easiest way to start my budget. Look at what bills go out what dates and see if you can move any to payday or day after.
    I use an easy money app on my phone and update as soon as I've spent money as well as having a spreadsheet of regular bills.
    The first month or so may be a little Rocky but include everything in your budget including a tiny sum for treats to keep you on track. Good luck.
    L2B.x
    LBM 2008 [STRIKE]£45,091.23[/STRIKE] eek: now £7889:T Debt free date 18/07/2018 :)
  • Thanks, Learning2budget, do you think its a good idea to have all bills leaving at the same time or spread over the month?
    I have money coming in at all different times of the month and bills going out at all times of the month.
  • We have 2 different paydays sometimes into our account and bills coming out throughout the month. I used the pen and paper method to see what is coming in and what needs to go out. Once I've found out how much I have left I either move it to a different account or withdraw it and sort it into envelopes for the month. My first month was a bit off as I had to account for paying 2 lots of the same bill to get my dates and amounts into a manageable way.
  • i always try to set bill payment dates, d/ds etc as close after our paydays as possible at the beginning of the month. that way i know what i have to play with for the rest of the month. at the end of the month i then scoop out any excess into savings and start over.

    to get a starting date i would try to gather together enough money in my account to cover a month's worth of bills (this might take a few months of saving) and make sure this amount is always in my account on the 1st of the month. that way you won't be reliant on the scattered payments, which can then just come in and go towards the next month. if that makes sense? :huh: :)
    Mortgage-Free Wannabe
    Mortgage at start [20/6/12]: £151,800/MFD Jun 2035 (age 65)
    Mortgage now [5/11/14]: £139,212.14/MFD Oct 2029 (age 59)
    Personal Library 2014
    :starmod: Read in 2014: 57/60 :starmod: In Progress: 2 :starmod: Books In: 94 :starmod: Books Out: 12 :starmod: TBR: 847 :starmod:
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