Frugal Home Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Budget

Our  journey towards a well maintained family budget is ongoing. The frugal home mistakes that have ruined the budget, became obvious. Our  frugal techniques were working. Our family was able to save money. Dollars will stretch when given a definite job in the budget.

 I decided to put more effort into my budget to eliminate my  frugal home  mistakes. Money was being spent in area’s that I had deemed important. Taking note of unnecessary financial purposes is the challenge for this year. 

In addition to many other items, my not so obvious mistakes have been narrowed down to three for right now. Spending is an addiction. Habits like excessive spending will create havoc on a budget. To overcome spending habits it takes desire and discipline. 

The first step toward saving money is the family budget. Using a budget is like a track to a train. A family without a budget is like a train without a track. 

 

Overspending on Budget Categories

Narrow down actual categories. Designate spending on primary bills first. Next, pay those bills. Then, they are done. Now that every part of our financial lives are online, the actual physical touch of spending money becomes obsolete. Thus, making it easier to spend more.

For example, setting a monthly grocery budget of $400.00 seems feasible. Until the end of the month comes, and actual expenses total $550.00 through the debit card or phone. A tough realization occurs that overspending is the culprit. No physical contact of money. Using my debit card has helped me to overspend each month.

Frugal Home Expense Report

Monthly expense reports do not have to be fancy. A plain 10 cent notebook will work. Developing  a time at the end of each month and writing down what goes on in our checking account will be progressive toward change. Some people used to sit down and balance checkbooks each month. I am also betting that these people had a tight hold on their financial situation.

 

Here’s what had to happen, I had to become a numbers person. On a monthly bank statement, or online app go through what is spent where. Finding the area’s that need work will bring financial control closer.

Lack of Financial Vision

Having a savings goal is motivation. Instead of shopping for clothes that will be tossed in a year, I had to remember the family car that we wanted to save for next year. Setting goals helps to keep financial boundaries at the forefront of our minds. Without something to work towards it is hard to stay motivated.

Financial motivation will differ from person to person. One not so obvious mistake that will ruin a budget is to not take the building steps. First, See which category needs to be revised, and how. Next, keep track of monthly expenses, and be informed where household money is being spent. Finally, have a vision for your money. Setting a savings or retirement goal will fuel the speed of shaping up the budget for the future.

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