How To Live on a Budget

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They don’t call it minimum wage for nothing ... How’s a guy supposed to get ahead, breaking his back 24-7, when all it gets you is…more »
Added December 17, 2007

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You Will Need

Discipline
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
Bank or credit union (optional)

Step 1.
Add up income

Add up all your income.
Step 2.
Divide by months it took to earn

Divide the total by the number of months it took you to earn it. The result is your monthly income.
Step 3.
Add up monthly expenses

Add up your essential monthly expenses, like food, rent, transportation, and personal necessities.
Step 4.
Add up nonessential spending

Next add up your nonessential monthly spending.
Step 5.
Add up expenses

Now add up your expenses, and pray the total is lower than your monthly income. If your expenses exceed your income, you’ll need to cut back on nonessential items.
Step 6.
Stick to numbers

Once your numbers are set, stick to them! Discipline is the key to living on a budget.
Try to set aside a small portion of your income on a regular basis—make sure to deposit it in a secure savings institution.
Step 7.
Take public transportation or carpool

Take public transportation, or carpool with friends to save on gas. Walking is free, and it’s great exercise!
Step 8.
Be frugal

Be frugal. Stop buying brand name clothes and fancy foods. Stop drinking lattes. Don’t order takeout.
Instead of buying napkins, wipe your mouth on your sleeve.
Step 9.
Buy secondhand

Buy anything you can secondhand. Thrift stores often sell household goods and perfectly good used clothing.
According to the Department of Education, more than 80% of undergrads have at least one credit card, and nearly 50% have four or more.

Comments View all (10)...

i just watched the saving money video. I liked it. It gives real advice and it's funny. My favorite part was the end when the guy is wearing his pink coat and eating peanut butter out of a jar.

Reply about 1 year ago by brian