Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Its EASY to start living under budget!

I know, I know, budget sounds more like a four letter word than six. However, I'm sure your aware that many people spend most of their income, some spend even more than they make. Living paycheck to paycheck like this can really suck the life out of you and who wouldn’t love to increase their cash flow?

Seriously though, something is wrong when you nearly work yourself to death and still can't get ahead. How can you stay under budget when there's too much month left at the end of the money. Are things simply too expensive or is it really because we have an insatiable need to fill our lives with loads of stuff? By the way, how’s it working out not living with your means now?

No doubt, one can make a great argument for the costs of many of our daily needs being just short of ridiculous. Take milk for example. Did you ever dream you'd pay nearly $5 per gallon for it? I won't even get into talking about gas or housing as were all painfully aware of whats happening in those markets. Taxes and insurance are budget munching monsters with growing appetites that are never satisfied.

So what is one to do? How can we remodel our lives and maybe slow the gray creeping across our hairline. Do we have to move to the hills and live off the land? Or, can I simply trim my expenses, cut my taxes and make a few changes in my cash flow to begin saving some of that hard earned cash and perhaps even my own sanity. Wouldn't it be great to find yourself one day living a less stressful life? Living under budget can help you do just that. When you're living within your means and putting something into savings each month life becomes a good bit easier.

Sounds all well and good, right? Sure, and it's basically common sense, really. It just isn't what we call the American way. Our McDonald's mentality (No Offense Ronald) drives us to want what we want, when we want it. Oh and by the way, could you supersize that please.

The first step is not all that difficult, even if it needs regular reinforcement. That is simply be grateful. Now before you hang up on me, think about it. If we were just a bit more grateful for what we already have, would we really have to get that brand new whatsit with all the latest bells and whistles? Do we need to have the 2009 model with leather, satellite radio, 22" custom Mags and 2 DVD players? Don't worry about what your neighbor is doing. Don't worry about what your friends are going to think or say. Be grateful for the important things in life and for the things you already have. Begin living under budget, increase your cash flow and start to enjoy stress free living!