Spring Cleaning the Family Budget

Although the economy has shown a slight improvement, the recent economic downturn has given families quite a scare. People are more aware then ever of their finances, which is a good thing. This season when you are spring cleaning your home take a couple hours to spring clean your budget and finances. Finances can be a source of anxiety in any family, but as a single mother it is vital for me to keep my budget in tip top shape. Here are a few spring cleaning rules I use for my budget Take Inventory of Your Bills Know thy bills! This is a ground rule to follow if you want to keep on top of your finances. Taking inventory of your bills helps you to develop an accurate budget. Create a financial spreadsheet with the following information:Name of the Bill Amount Due Due Date Balance Date Paid Amount Paid Reference or Check # used for paymentA financial spreadsheet is a simple way to keep track of your bills and avoid late payments which affect your credit score and … [Read more...]





Get Financially Organized in 2010

One lesson the economy has taught us is the importance of keeping our finances in top shape. It is easy to forget to pay the cable bill when it is hidden under a stack of junk mail on the kitchen counter. A good credit rating is an increasingly important factor in today’s financial world. Those three little numbers carry weight when you are considering applying for a loan, mortgage, or credit card. As a single mom I am extremely conscious of my finances and credit score. Recently, I was blessed with a car that I desperately needed and thankfully because of my credit score I was able to purchase a car with a doable monthly payment on a single mother’s salary. Early on in my journey in single motherhood I realized the importance of being financially organized. This year take control of your finances by getting organized with a few of these helpful hints. Tips to Become Financially Organized Create A Space for Your Mail Junk mail can cause havoc in your mailbox. There are countless … [Read more...]