Creating a Budget

From an original article by America Saves

Money is the master of the disappearing act. Poof! Where did it go? Well, the easiest way to keep track of your money is to create a budget – keeping track of how much you’re spending and, just as important, how much you’re saving. There are a variety of ways to create a budget. The key is to pick the method that works for you and stick with it.

Here are a few steps you can take to manage your money effectively:

• Keep track of what you spend – These days, there are free online tools that can help you track spending. If you’re old-school, no worries, a paper worksheet works well too.
• Create your budget – Once you know where your money is going, it’s time to figure out where it should be going. Where can you cut back to pay down high-interest debts?
• Stick to your budget – The easy part is done. Now you must stick to it! Whether you choose an online tool, a mobile app, or the tried-and-true pen and paper, putting an end to vanishing funds is essential to your financial health.

For more details on creating a budget, read the full article.