Any Advice or Help with problem?

How does people get ahead and not have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck. I am stressed about this and have tried everyway to budget money but nothing seems to work. All I ever here is someone saying go talk to credit counselor or something. No money for that. Does anyone have any ideas? Please help. Am married with three children. Thanks ahead of time.Any Advice or Help with problem?
I will let the other people give you ideas and plans and I will give you honest down to earth opinions.





Bottom line is, you will never totally get out of the living pay check to pay check cycle. You can say, well if I have more money it would be better. Not really. Its a proven fact that the more money you moke the more money you spend.





So, just chill out. My best advice would be to, yes, make a REALISTIC budget and stick to it. It will soon become habit and you will see results.





Good luck.Any Advice or Help with problem?
You could also apply some financial management. A lot of people are in a financial mess because they are living beyond their means.





Simple things you can do are:


- bring your own lunch to work instead of going out - this is huge I save $50/week here


- if you have stuff you dont need at home anymore, sell it on ebay or have a garage sale


- try and pay everything on time. If you have to have a bill lapse its better for pay all bills except one off in full rather than giving a little bit to each bill


- plans your trips outside of the house to minimize the amount of driving. You'll use less gas, and spend less time running around.


- read the flyers and know who has what on sale


- if need be find a way to bring in a second income.





Some credit counselling services are ';not for profit';, but they get all their money from the refinancing services they reccommend.
I know what you mean. I'm in the same position right now. I have started this new method and it has been working the last few months for me. Heres what you need to do:





Start carrying a list and writing down everytime you purchase something. Even if it's a .50 or $1 item write it down. Do this for a few weeks.





Next sit down with your paycheck, bills and that list. Do a budget including all your bills and expenses. Don't cheat on this you must include everything. When figuring the budget figure paying the minium on all your bills. Now look at how much money you have left. See which debt is accuring the most interest and pay any extra you have to do that while paying the minium on all your other debts. Once the first debt is paid take that amount and add it to your next debt and keep doing that. It's the snowball effect and you will see your debt to start decreasing real soon.





Now lets see what you can cut out of your expenses. Things like cable, cell phone, home phone, internet can all usually be cut out or downsized. Also, things like taking a lunch to work, take drinks to work and with you, make your morning coffee at home, eat alot of soups, vegatables and pastas, make 2-3 days of food at once. You see there are all kinds of ways to cut your budget.





Now a few things that can make a big impact to your budget would be if you have a car payment sell the car and get somthing for cash. Also, if you have a free room rent it out if possible and the last things is maybe you should look at getting a second job.





Remember to live frugally and watch every dollar you spend. Keep carrying that list with you and add up how much you are wasting a month. You will get in the habit of not buying anything unless its really needed. I would also recommend getting a book by Dave Ramsey called ';The complete money makeover';. Best of luck and happy holidays.

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