Comments on: Reader Poll - Do You Use A Written Budget? http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/ Debt Reduction Rocks - We Are Living Debt Free! Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:42:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Festival of Frugality 109 | On Financial Success http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-76109 Festival of Frugality 109 | On Financial Success Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:22:18 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-76109 [...] Credit Needed is running a poll to find out how many of us use a written budget. Right now, over 60% of voters claim to have and [...] [...] Credit Needed is running a poll to find out how many of us use a written budget. Right now, over 60% of voters claim to have and [...]

]]> By: Link Roundup: Floozy edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-75697 Link Roundup: Floozy edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:24:07 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-75697 [...] Credit Needed is polling on whether people have a written budget or not.  (I’d go even further and say that it’s not a budget unless it’s written [...] [...] Credit Needed is polling on whether people have a written budget or not.  (I’d go even further and say that it’s not a budget unless it’s written [...]

]]> By: Jared http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73949 Jared Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:31:06 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73949 I used to have a budget, but now most of my finances are on autopilot. I found that a budget didn't actually provide me any benefit. I found that having a retrospective (know where every dollar is spent) and a spending plan (know what my financial goals and large expenses will be for the next thirty years) is far more useful. But then, the only debt we have is the house, and again, all the retirement and savings funds are automated. It's amazing how much you can accumulate if you put your money in a place where it's inconvenient to access! I used to have a budget, but now most of my finances are on autopilot. I found that a budget didn’t actually provide me any benefit.

I found that having a retrospective (know where every dollar is spent) and a spending plan (know what my financial goals and large expenses will be for the next thirty years) is far more useful.

But then, the only debt we have is the house, and again, all the retirement and savings funds are automated. It’s amazing how much you can accumulate if you put your money in a place where it’s inconvenient to access!

]]> By: John Zeratsky http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73867 John Zeratsky Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:51:51 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73867 I have a simple budget that I compare to my spending at the end of each month. So, I don't live by it, but I certainly use it. I have a simple budget that I compare to my spending at the end of each month. So, I don’t live by it, but I certainly use it.

]]> By: Eric http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73623 Eric Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:24:34 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73623 Yes, and I use it, but it's brand new. The wife and I just started with it this month (Jan). So far, so very good! Yes, and I use it, but it’s brand new. The wife and I just started with it this month (Jan). So far, so very good!

]]> By: EMF http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73474 EMF Wed, 16 Jan 2008 05:05:39 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73474 Yes, I have a budget to which I stick. But it's not the detailed budget you're probably thinking of, such as Dave Ramsey's "every dollar has a name". I pay myself first, with saving targets for retirement. Also savings targets for ongoing expenses such as taxes and insurance, and more vague expenses such as major repairs to my house. After that's taken care of, the rest just kind of happens. When I was younger, a detailed budget was needed. Now that I'm older and have done it for awhile, a less detailed approach works for me. I have no debts other than current month's credit card charges which I pay in full. I also have higher-than-average retirement savings. Your Mileage May Vary. Yes, I have a budget to which I stick. But it’s not the detailed budget you’re probably thinking of, such as Dave Ramsey’s “every dollar has a name”.

I pay myself first, with saving targets for retirement. Also savings targets for ongoing expenses such as taxes and insurance, and more vague expenses such as major repairs to my house. After that’s taken care of, the rest just kind of happens.

When I was younger, a detailed budget was needed. Now that I’m older and have done it for awhile, a less detailed approach works for me. I have no debts other than current month’s credit card charges which I pay in full. I also have higher-than-average retirement savings. Your Mileage May Vary.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73357 Jeremy Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:40:57 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73357 Thanks for reminding me. I promise I will start one this week, just like I promised at the beginning of the year :D Thanks for reminding me. I promise I will start one this week, just like I promised at the beginning of the year :D

]]> By: Laura http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73321 Laura Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:28:55 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73321 Our budget is on Google docs and it allows us to modify it and share. Our budget is on Google docs and it allows us to modify it and share.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73308 Mrs. Micah Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:09:10 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73308 I use a simple spending plan spreadsheet. It's nice because I can copy it from one month to the next and plug in new numbers where necessary. But all the subtractions and additions are set up to give me an automatic picture of how much I have left in each category, left overall, spent overall, etc. I use a simple spending plan spreadsheet. It’s nice because I can copy it from one month to the next and plug in new numbers where necessary. But all the subtractions and additions are set up to give me an automatic picture of how much I have left in each category, left overall, spent overall, etc.

]]> By: Debt Free Revolution http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73307 Debt Free Revolution Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:08:19 +0000 http://www.ncnblog.com/2008/01/15/reader-poll-do-you-use-a-written-budget/#comment-73307 YES!!! Absolutely YES!! The written budget has been to KEY and FOUNDATION of the success we've had so far in getting our debt under control (and soon to DIE FOREVER). I simply can't imagine going back to not kowing where our money is supposed to be going...and at the end of the month wondering just where it went. YES!!! Absolutely YES!! The written budget has been to KEY and FOUNDATION of the success we’ve had so far in getting our debt under control (and soon to DIE FOREVER). I simply can’t imagine going back to not kowing where our money is supposed to be going…and at the end of the month wondering just where it went.

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