Whether there is one income in the family or a few, it can sometimes be hard to pay all of the bills at one time while having money left over for the fun things that you want to enjoy, such as going out to eat or even getting new clothes. If you have a budget, then you will know what is due and how it will be so that you can plan accordingly with all of the money that is brought into the home. Family budgeting tips can be kept on the refrigerator or above a desk so that everyone can see them and know when fun events can be enjoyed or when there might be a short adventure in the future.
* Make A List
The first thing that you should do is make a list of everything that needs to be paid each month. This would include the house payment, car payments, insurance and other utilities. You also need to plan for things like toiletries and things that are needed for school. Make a list of how much you want to spend for holidays and birthdays so that nothing comes as a surprise.
* Envelopes
Although it seems like this method of saving money and allotting it for the necessary bills is simple, it works. Write the designated amount and the item on the front of the envelope. Each week, add to the envelope until it has the required amount of money to pay that bill. If you see that there is extra money, then it can go to a savings account or to get clothing for the family or other items that are needed for the home.
* Debts
Pay down as much debt as possible. Look at the bills that you have that are outstanding, and begin paying them off with extra money. Income tax returns are a good way to get caught up on the bills that you have, especially credit cards, so that you have a cushion during the year. A credit counselor can help if you find that you have more debt than you can handle.
* Cash
Use cash for as many items and bills that you can. Sometimes, a credit or debit card company might charge a small fee when using the card. This is taking money away that you probably can’t afford to lose. Using cash also gives you a visual idea as to how much you’re spending. If you see that you only have $50 for food, then you know that you can’t go over that amount. This can help you stick to the budget that you have created.