Troubleshooting –
when you fall off the budgeting wagon…
because, trust me, you will…

It’s Christmas! Bells are ringing, children singing! Fa la la la la la la! Christmas is a BIG debt creator, a BIG budgeting killer - so tread lightly.

My suggestion to you is to plan, plan, plan (that includes budgeting) for Christmas with a separate Christmas account. And unless you have the money set aside and you gain reward points, do not use your credit cards. Unless you will absolutely be paying the balance off on or before the due date, do not use your credit cards.

Or perhaps it’s vacation time…

Or maybe you just received a raise…

Whatever the reason, it is very easy to throw caution to the wind and blow your budget. And sometimes, it’s OK to do that. Sometimes you just have to celebrate! Once in a while, it’s fine – just not all the time.

If you’ve blown your budget, it’s probably a good idea to review your budget to see why this has happened. Was it just one of those things, or was it bound to happen? Rework your budget to better suit your needs so that it doesn’t happen again, or if it was a once in a lifetime event…I’m glad you had some fun! ;-)

My advice is to plan, plan, plan even for the unforeseeable. Have an Unforeseeable account. Try very hard NOT to blow your budget, but if you do, don’t feel too badly about it. Just get back on the budgeting horse and try, try again!

I hope you will sit down for an afternoon with your finances and get to know one another over a cup of tea (or perhaps a stronger brew…?). Read some of the books that are suggested here at Moms Stay At Home, visit a website or two, read a blog, then either by using one of the recommended software or by using pencil and paper, make yourself a map, a plan, of where you are and where you want to be financially.

Budgeting is not rocket science by any means, but it does require a certain attitude – a good one!

Stick with it and I can (almost) guarantee that you will accomplish your goals.