https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 03:00:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363581 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:35:44 +0000 regberadaisy 1363581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: A few months back I did that. I went through the previous month's statements and tallied up everything DH &amp; I spent (separately) on frivolous things. It was a CRAZY eye opener to both of us. Especially because we didn't feel (think!) we were crazy spenders. </p> <p>@mamimami: I use to do a excel spreadsheet. But it took so much time to maintain it!! I recently bought YNAB and I am really liking it. DH is on board and saves all his receipts. I try to update the budget at least every other day. We also have a set budget of "fun money" for each of us every month. The nice part is we both get $50 each. If DH wants to buy something more than $50 then he has to not spend money one month to save up for it.<br /> So far I am really liking YNAB because I can adjust the categories to our lifestyle and the way we spend. But it is nice to add in an expense and instantly have it update. To instantly know, hey we only have x$ left this month for groceries. Or I already spent $20 of my $50 for the month and it's only the middle of the month!<br /> We also use our debit card 99% of the time so it's very easy to track our spending. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363576 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:31:22 +0000 .twist. 1363576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: yes! I use my credit card for everything! DH doesn't have a personal cc and he loves to use cash which makes me a little insane. At least he's somewhat good at keeping track of the cash he uses! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363459 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:59:46 +0000 Rockies11 1363459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been working on this problem for years with my husband, and I think the key is to find something that works for him if he's resistant to it. Currently we are trying to shift all of the household expenses to him (and he can do whatever he wants with the rest) and I am responsible for savings, debt payment, and daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363456 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:59:22 +0000 doodlepoodle 1363456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: LOL well we just looked at things we don't regularly account for in our 'budget' (that we didn't have) so if that's something he does maybe it's not what to put in the allowance category ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363445 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:55:31 +0000 mamimami 1363445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: Hmmm, I'd be rolling in the dough LOL, because I am a total cheapskate miser and he eats out every day. Maybe I can take myself on a trip around the world or something. Ha!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363440 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:53:46 +0000 doodlepoodle 1363440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: we made it even, we both gift the same exact amount. So say, I want some new makeup or a fun pair of shoes, it comes from my 'allowance' and doesn't affect our monthly budget. Or if I'm going out to lunch with coworkers or something like that. That way neither of us have that 'but you did x...' Feeling </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363417 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:45:55 +0000 mamimami 1363417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: You are right... that is actually what we do whenever we can, but I think it makes it easier to exceed your means. I suppose we could start by just loading all those charges from past statements into a spreadsheet and cry, I mean, go from there LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363412 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:44:20 +0000 MamaMoose 1363412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: I actually think using your credit card for EVERYTHING is the easiest way to track your spending. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363391 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:34:47 +0000 mamimami 1363391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: That sounds pretty simple and straightforward... I am sure I will have some questions once I give it some more thought, thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363382 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:32:20 +0000 looch 1363382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: we do a spreadsheet, it's very basic, just the months of the year across the top, the categories down the left side, a year per tab. Basically, the months in the future are the plan, the months in the past are the actual, and my husband updates it monthly.</p> <p>We both have Mint on our phones, but honestly, I don't use it that much. My husband likes the categories and likes to point out how much I spent on clothes per month, but it just makes more work because the categories never line up with the spend somehow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363379 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:32:09 +0000 LuLu Mom 1363379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamimami: We are in the same boat, I really want to lay it all out to show where our money is going and swee where we can cut, but DH isn't on board either. I really want to have set "allowances" for both of us (I'm a clothing shopper...he's a fast food/beer shopper) and I think it will be an eye opener on how much we spend. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363353 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:24:55 +0000 mamimami 1363353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babyjmama: @looch: I am looking at YNAB right now and it looks pretty cool. I think the major hurdle with something like that is that my husband IS a financial dude and maybe he'll think he already knows all that stuff... Like, it's hurting his pride. </p> <p>@babyjmama: Somehow I feel weird about giving him, like, "his allowance," but maybe I need to get past that. Since we share everything, it feels weird.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363345 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:22:18 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1363345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First you need to figure out where your money is going. We uploaded our last 6 months of credit/debit card activity into a program that helps, but you can do it in Excel. After you know where your money goes, you can figure out a budget and where you can cut back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363340 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:21:44 +0000 doodlepoodle 1363340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't get my husband to track his little purchases (food, beer) but what we decided was he could have a specific budget for his spending. He gets $60 every two weeks. His video games, fast food, beer, etc come out of that and it's in his personal account so it doesn't affect my budgeting. </p> <p>I'm kinda new to this too. I am using the free trial with YNAB. I have a lot of questions still, but it's a new concept for me! Tracking what you spend (even trying to categorize what you spent over the last couple months) will really help you forecast what you need to set aside for certain things. The key is being honest with yourself on this though, not saying 'ohhh...I never need Starbucks again' because we all have the moments we want to indulge, we just have to plan ahead! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363336 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:20:42 +0000 mamimami 1363336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: He's not too techy... I was thinking a Google spreadsheet to start with... just to see where we are spending because I think we would learn something and maybe just that alone would help us make some better decisions. </p> <p>I think he will participate, but he wants me to set all the ground rules since this is "my idea." I think deep down he is annoyed that I am insinuating our finances are not optimized, as he is the one who's been more or less in charge of all that. I am trying to tell him it's just an experiment.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363325 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:16:21 +0000 looch 1363325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think part of the challenge is going to be getting your husband to track his spending, if he does cash and he's not willing to do it.</p> <p>Is he techy? Would he respond well to something like Mint or You Need a Budget? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-on-how-to-start-budgeting#post-1363323 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 09:14:39 +0000 mamimami 1363323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We need to start being more deliberate and strategic about our spending, saving more, paying off some debt, etc. I have a few ideas about how to start -- should we try to pay only cash for a month (a little hard since some accounts are already autopay)? Write down everything we spend for a month? Just try to make a damn budget and get started?</p> <p>What would you suggest? If it makes any difference, my husband is not really onboard with my ideas right now, while I am on an almost total spending freeze. I just KNOW we need to do things differently. </p>