How To Live on a Budget

  • December 17, 2007
  • 44,684 Views
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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 chicken scratch?

My friend, you need a budget.

You Will Need

  • Discipline
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
  • Bank or credit union
How To Live on a Budget: Add up income

Step 1: Add up income

Add up all your income.

How To Live on a Budget: Divide by months it took to earn

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.

How To Live on a Budget: Add up monthly expenses

Step 3: Add up monthly expenses

Add up your essential monthly expenses, like food, rent, transportation, and personal necessities.

How To Live on a Budget: Add up nonessential spending

Step 4: Add up nonessential spending

Next add up your nonessential monthly spending.

How To Live on a Budget: Add up expenses

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.

How To Live on a Budget: Stick to numbers

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.

How To Live on a Budget: Take public transportation or carpool

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!

How To Live on a Budget: Be frugal

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.

How To Live on a Budget: Buy secondhand

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.

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Comments (28)

brian

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.

over 4 years ago by brian

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agoen

it is good idea~ so good video!

over 2 years ago by agoen

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musicalangel

Comics are not important, they are luxuries, but hygiene stuff like soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and toilet paper are essential to keep clean and healthy.

over 2 years ago by musicalangel

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wmhfnrzu

haha it was a joke, mate.

about 1 year ago by wmhfnrzu

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carlo_scialla

Really funny and informative. One of the best I have watched.

over 4 years ago by carlo_scialla

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Max

excellent advice!

over 3 years ago by Max

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jjohnmusic

I Say, in order to have a happier and more profitable future. Just make more money. That way you don't have to skip out on the lattes ;) J.John http://www.myspace.com/jjohnofficialmyspace

over 2 years ago by jjohnmusic

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discotheque

Maintaining a good hygiene is important too, be sure you also know which things are important to you.

over 3 years ago by discotheque

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deckard1

I agree, frivolous things that are total money wasters like the soap can really add up. I go one step further and omit wasteful luxuries like toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste.

over 2 years ago by deckard1

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Starstew

I like how ";WoW"; was before soap.

over 4 years ago by Starstew

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Nizam_Pierre

Good simple video.

over 2 years ago by Nizam_Pierre

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Kerrie_LeBourveau

Hilarious!

over 2 years ago by Kerrie_LeBourveau

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tasmithonline

he looks so pitiful living on a budget!

over 2 years ago by tasmithonline

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Twillian

By watching the video clip I feel more confident about making a budget for living in an apartment for the first time off campus ^_^ If only there was a video explaining the dynamics of planning a budget when sharing said apartment with three other roommates...

over 2 years ago by Twillian

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bunnylover1217

this video was up loaded on my birthdate

over 2 years ago by bunnylover1217

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snookie96

very funny I like the one part about eating peanut butter

over 3 years ago by snookie96

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speakeasy

AH, just like me haha.. sigh..

over 4 years ago by speakeasy

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gigafide

Woah...college flashback.

over 4 years ago by gigafide

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musicalangel

One more thing: It is really important to eat well in order to keep healthy and take care of yourself. I think peanut butter is not a good option. It would be better to monitor yourself in order to see what foods you are throwing away every month. You must stop buying the food you are used to throw away and you should eat the food before it is not edible anymore. Most Americans throw away 25% of the food the buy, so it's a real waste of money. Try to buy less meat, chicken, and fish per week. Grains and vegetables are cheaper.

over 2 years ago by musicalangel

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maxmax

this video is okay... I think more in depth info and tips are needed.

over 2 years ago by maxmax

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Video is in Personal Finance (17 videos)