To get a handle on your household budget, ask these questions:
- How much income do I have coming in? Include everything.
- How much do I have going out in bills every month?
- Is my spouse (if you have one) working with me to get a handle on our household budget?
It's time to get on a written game plan.
John Maxwell says, "A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went." You don't have to start a household budget with a perfect month. Start where you are. Write down what you have today. Income and expenses. From then on, spend all your income on paper with purpose before the month begins.
Do all your household budget on purpose, all on paper, and all with your spouse. Then you'll have a game plan. Also, many engaged couples create practice budgets. But after you budget-practice together, you each should go off and pay your own bills. You don't need any joint property or joint bills until you've said your vows. Practicing with a household budget is good for getting you accustomed to the give and take required to make a marriage thrive.
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This content is provided by DaveRamsey.com and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. Dave Ramsey is changing the face of America by helping people develop a budgeting plan that works and get on the path to being debt free.
Added to http://www.be-debt-free.info/ on October 23, 2008.
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