How easy is it to organise your finances?

macfloyd

tallyhoh wrote: »

I dont use the budget planner or anything like that, not because its not good but it saves keep switching the computer on.

I use a little platic wallet in my handbag for receipts, if I dont get a receipt for something I scribble it down on a scrap of paper till I get home. Keep all receipts for at least a month. I always tot up roughly what I know I have to fork out for & how much I will have left & carry it in my purse. A quick look at this will stop you making large impulse buys.

At home I have a large notebook divided into 4 columns.:

1) List of money coming in, wages, child benefit etc

2) List of static direct debits & standing orders first, then I add the variable ones on as they go out (like phone bill).

3)List of money spent on groceries & household stuff, kids stuff etc.

4) List of money spent on personal & maybe uneccessary items (like lipstick & newspapers).

I add the 4 columns up at the end of the month. Scary sometimes what I have wasted.

I have done this for 17 years by the way & its kept me out of trouble so far.

tallyhoh

i just wanted to say a big thanx, i think i would much rather do what you have done than do the budget planner etc, i just don't think i could carry it through, so i have copied the list of things you do & i'm gonna try it & see if it works for me.

thanks again

michelle x :beer:

rb6ac

Hi, I too use a notepad, but my planner looks like this:

Outgoing Budget Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Rent £280
Bills £26
Food £100
etc

Then I carry a small notepad around with me a write down every cost under sub-headings such as 'food' and 'leisure' and at the end of the week I count all of the outgoings and add the total to 'Week 1' of the table above. I find that it's very simple and works very well for me.