Guest FourAces Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 Just wondering how many of you guys are on a formal budget? Do you keep track using a site like mint.com or excel or old fashion pen and paper? How did you determine what percent goes to ...? I have never really been on a budget in my lifetime. However, with old age knocking on the door and wondering whose car I will be living in I'm thinking of starting one. Any easy to read books or site suggestions are welcomed Quote
Members seattlebottom Posted November 11, 2012 Members Posted November 11, 2012 I don't budget but I do use Excel to keep track of how much I have in my bank accounts. There are lots of articles and blogs on how much to allocate but I have never found them useful because expenses that they figure are fixed (such as electricity and water) actually vary. One site that I like is http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/ . All of the readings that I've done on the subject indicate 3 basic things: create an emergency fund, pay off your debts and save for retirements. flipao 1 Quote
Members JKane Posted November 11, 2012 Members Posted November 11, 2012 I think younger generations (which have never had to balance a checkbook) may be less likely to do that kind of thing. Some banks offer some tools to integrate with Quicken/Mint somewhat but I've never even gone that far. I know I probably should, but that's never quite made me. Sometimes I wonder how much money I wasted back during the height of my hiring guys... and am a little glad I don't know... I do occasionally watch Suze Orman, have a savings, and have paid off my credit debt. But my retirement account is a horror show (people could be seriously rich if they'd done the opposite of what I've done the last 6 years or so!). flipao 1 Quote
Guest NCBored Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 I use Quicken to keep track of bank accounts, but I use Excel to track my spending by categories (food, entertainment, utilitie, medical. etc.). But thus far, I haven't been so good about controlling spending. Quote
Members Lucky Posted November 11, 2012 Members Posted November 11, 2012 Several staff members keep track of my spending for me, and they let me know quickly when a problem develops. I say that rather tongue in cheek, as the idea that I might have a problem with money is laughable. Of course, I just lost an expensive race for President... Oh, me? Ha! I have so little money these days, but I do know where it goes and when. An advantage of having litle is that there is less to follow. flipao 1 Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 It's been a rough year. Right now, i'm so poor, I can't even pay attention. Quote
Guest FourAces Posted November 11, 2012 Posted November 11, 2012 It's been a rough year. Right now, i'm so poor, I can't even pay attention. lurker i can very much relate. much of what happened to me i brought upon myself but fuck a little break would be nice. At the rate i'm going i will be living in a homeless shelter Quote
Members lookin Posted November 11, 2012 Members Posted November 11, 2012 An advantage of having litle is that there is less to follow. Tell me! I could shadow mine everywhere it goes and still be home for breakfast. Quote
Members Lucky Posted November 11, 2012 Members Posted November 11, 2012 Tell me! I could shadow mine everywhere it goes and still be home for breakfast. I guess that we are dispelling any idea that we are a bunch of rich guys throwing money at escorts! Quote
Members BigK Posted November 12, 2012 Members Posted November 12, 2012 I do occasionally watch Suze Orman, have a savings, and have paid off my credit debt. But my retirement account is a horror show (people could be seriously rich if they'd done the opposite of what I've done the last 6 years or so!). Suze Orman is a fraud! Lots of financial shenanigans in her past. I can't click through her show fast enough. Quote
Members BigK Posted November 12, 2012 Members Posted November 12, 2012 lurker i can very much relate. much of what happened to me i brought upon myself but fuck a little break would be nice. At the rate i'm going i will be living in a homeless shelter How's the "new job" going FourAces? Been wondering. Quote
Guest FourAces Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 How's the "new job" going FourAces? Been wondering. Hey BigK thanks for asking ... sadly not very well, I was attempting to do a budget a few days ago (thus this thread) and I have been paying my bills with the help of a bi-weekly payday loan As for the actual job itself its ok pretty basic stuff. If you guys don't hear from me soon it means I had to zap my Internet access ... which I am trying to hang onto but not much else left to get rid of at this point. I wonder if I started robbing banks what my FBI nickname might be hmmm the Waddle Bank Robber or maybe simply the Old Fat Guy Robber Quote
Guest hitoallusa Posted November 12, 2012 Posted November 12, 2012 Four Aces I hope everything work out for you. Cheers! Quote
