Good Home Budget Program

Hi S., I use Quicken to keep track of our finances, it has a budgeting option, and the hole thing is pretty simple. Cutting the budget is hard. I read that most families spend over $200 a month on eating out. But it sounds like you are a great cook so you probabley don't eat out very often.
I am also a SAHM. I decided to start my oun business a few months ago to try and generate some extra income. It ended up being a great decision. If you would like some more infornation email me ____@____.com

Check out www.mvelopes.com
My hubby and I tried everything, quicken, quickbooks, peachtree, even old fashioned pen and paper. Nothing worked until we found mvelopes. It has 100% accountability, you can't "loose" any money. You can sign up for a free trial, so give it a shot and see if it works for you. It saved us a TON of time, money, and aggravation.

The 99 cent only store has fresh produce weekly. Ask them when their produce person comes and get there that day, you'll save a ton of money (especially on fresh berries!). Also, for money saving...we do a monthly menu (we get one paycheck once a month). We sit down and decide what we will eat, write it on the menu and then go to Costco for the goods, with Save-Mart trips here and there in between. If a monthly menu sounds like too much, do a weekly one. You'll be surprised at how much you save when you shop with specific meals in mind and don't forget to leave some days open on a menu for leftovers! Also one other great way to save money is to dry your clothes on a clothesline or rack...I know it sounds kind of June Cleaverish, but we really cut back on our PG&E bill by not using the dryer for every load that we do. And, on that same note, using cold water instead of hot cuts back on money as well (though it's understandable with a little one needing to use hot to get the spit-up smell out of clothes!) Good luck!

Hi S.,
I just recently read Dave Ramsey's book, My Total Money Makeover and it is just wonderful and so easy to understand. He also has a website with many, many tips, tricks and tools to get yourself on a budget and plan for the future. The website is www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com
Good luck!
J.

We used Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and it worked great (even with a little sense of humor thrown in the book) - just up until the part about paying off the mortgage, which isn't exactly feasible in California or in this market. Keep in mind the guy is from Tennessee or something, but besides that it has helped a lot. Good luck and stick with it because budgeting can work wonders! God Bless

Crown.org! Awesome. You can turn the radio to 710 am about noon or 12:30 to hear a financial (and easy to listen to) talk show.. Also, clarkhoward.com He also has a radio show that helps you save money -

I am in the same boat wanting to put together a better budget and this is what I have come up with recently.

let me know how it goes

Hey I just went to clarkhoward.com and got to www.mint.com for a free personal finance help; I have heard him talk about this on his radio show

R.

Hey S.! I know this is a very late response but I saw your request. I can probably help you out if you haven't already found a solution to your situation. I help put together a plan for families to help them get out debt and become financially independent. With that I can include a report of a family's budget/expenses, where your money is going, how to save, etc. If you're interested on more info, feel free to give me a call ###-###-####. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Hi Sofie~
We're on 1 income too, so sometimes I have to get creative with how we spend our money. I save a great deal by shopping at Wynco. It's one of those stores where you bag your own groceries. I go there for paper/canned/bulk items. I still have shop my regular store for organics...meat and produce. But the savings on the other stuff makes it worth it.

I've also learned how to only prepare EXACTLY what our family will eat. We don't usually care for leftovers, so not making too much saves a lot. For my family of 4 (hubby and two girls) I can buy a pack of 4 chicken breasts, but if I pound two out and cut them in half, it's four pieces and nothing goes to waste.

That's all I can think of right now. Good luck!