| Money management is much easier to control and | | | | as movies. It is important that you look at a realistic |
| understand if you create a well thought out and | | | | account of how much you spend in each of these |
| realistic budget. How do you know what a realistic | | | | categories. This will allow you to make realistic |
| budget looks like? First of all, you need to recognize | | | | adjustments.Dinner out is another one of those classic |
| that while it is important to cut your spending of | | | | examples that can kill money management efforts. If |
| frivolous items and daily trips to the vending machines | | | | you and your partner eat out once a week you will |
| you should still create a section in your budget for fun. | | | | spend somewhere around $200 a month or more |
| This will prevent you from feeling deprived while | | | | depending on how expensive your taste is.There is |
| managing your money, but once that money is gone | | | | nothing wrong with treating yourself every once in a |
| for the month your spending will have to cease as | | | | while for special occasions like birthdays or |
| well.When creating a budget to manage your money | | | | anniversaries, but you are throwing your money out |
| you should begin by writing down all of your fixed | | | | the window if you frequently dine out. Set a limit to the |
| monthly expenses. This would include your rent or | | | | number of times you can eat out that will fit |
| mortgage, insurance, phone and Internet bills, electric | | | | comfortably into your budget. If you can realistically |
| and anything else you receive a monthly bill for, along | | | | afford to eat out once a month, set the date on your |
| with their amounts.Take a close look at each of these | | | | calendar and make it a special night.Money |
| items on your list. While some may be unavoidable, | | | | management skills begin by disciplining your budget. |
| there may be others that you are either paying too | | | | Once you have determined a specific amount of |
| much for each month or can eliminate altogether. A | | | | money you can spend each month in each category |
| classic example of this is your phone bill. Many people | | | | of your budget create envelopes for each category |
| pay way too much for a cell phone and a land line. If | | | | and label them. One envelope will be for groceries, one |
| you have reliable cell phone service in your own home | | | | for movies, one for gas, etc. Then place the exact |
| and a good cell phone plan, cancel your home phone | | | | amount of cash you calculated in your budget into the |
| subscription. If you feel you are paying too much for | | | | envelopes. This money will have to last an entire |
| cell phone service, switch to a prepaid card. You can | | | | month, so pace yourself. If you have extra money left |
| purchase a $20 card and make it stretch for the entire | | | | over in one of the envelopes when the end of the |
| month. This will allow you to manage your money | | | | month rolls around then you can treat yourself to an |
| better.After you successfully scrutinize your fixed | | | | extra movie or fun activity, or maybe even save it.If |
| monthly expenses, look at how much you are currently | | | | you can follow the budget you have set for yourself, |
| spending on variable expenses such as groceries, | | | | you will be well on your way to having good money |
| dinners out, gas, cable, clothing and entertainment such | | | | management skills. |