| * On average women earn about 74 cents to a | | | | items to the next highest dollar amount and |
| man's dollar.* Women pay $1.00 or $2.00 more | | | | stockpile the change.* Pick a certain bill to |
| than men to have a white, cotton shirt dry | | | | stockpile weekly (example: stockpile a $10.00 |
| cleaned.* In general, women are charged | | | | bill every week)* Set aside a dollar a day* |
| higher prices for used cars than men.Knowing | | | | If a bill or category in your budgeted |
| how to play the budgeting game is key to | | | | expenses is less than what you have |
| winning it! Neither age nor budgeting | | | | anticipated for in any particular month, |
| experience matter, what does matter is that | | | | stockpile the balance.Whatever you do just DO |
| you keep learning how to get the most for | | | | IT and if you aren't already then start this |
| your money.As women we need to be smart | | | | week. Don't dip into it! It is for the utmost |
| spenders, learned investors, and successful | | | | emergency situation ONLY! Be committed to |
| at saving. The fact is 85 out of every 100 | | | | putting it aside each and every week no |
| U.S. women, 32 and older, will find | | | | matter what.Home: |
| themselves on their own financially at some | | | | |
| point.* 6 of the 85 will never get married.* | | | | Include mortgage, rent, property taxes, and |
| 33 out of the 85 will see divorce.* 46 will | | | | homeowners insurance here.Transportation: |
| outlive their mates.We must know more about | | | | |
| keeping and controlling our money. Taking the | | | | Car payments, gasoline, auto insurance, |
| time to learn more now, may mean having more | | | | repairs, maintenance, license fees, parking |
| money later.Start by taking a good hard look | | | | fees, mass transportation costs are all |
| at your current spending habits and work to | | | | included in this category.Groceries: |
| establish a balanced budget. Good money | | | | |
| management is spending what you have | | | | This will vary depending on the number of |
| wisely.Putting a budget together doesn't have | | | | people in your family. Figure about 5% per |
| to be a dreaded thing. You make the rules | | | | each adult monthly. To see exactly how much |
| because it's your money! If you want a new | | | | you are spending on groceries, keep track of |
| wardrobe, budget for it. Want to take a | | | | your receipts for one month. You can cut |
| vacation? Simply budget for it. You can have | | | | costs by utilizing grocery store ads and |
| the things you want so long as you budget for | | | | sales, creating a weekly menu plan and |
| them. Remember budgeting is simply a | | | | sticking to it (base your grocery list on |
| systematic way to control what you spend, | | | | your menu plan), use coupons (most stores now |
| save money, and get yourself out of debt!Here | | | | offer double coupon value on certain days or |
| is a simple budget to get you going. It is | | | | up to a certain amount). Leave the kids and |
| set up to budget monthly expenses as a | | | | husband home when doing the grocery shopping. |
| percentage of what your gross monthly income | | | | Men impulse buy far more than women do and |
| is.My Budget:________% IRA/401K/403B/SEP | | | | the kids will beg and plead for every new |
| | | | cereal or sugar concoction they see. Stick to |
| ________% Federal Taxes | | | | your pre-written grocery list. Also cutting |
| | | | down or out on restaurant dining, and eating |
| ________% Taxes (Other) | | | | home more will save you a bundle (another way |
| | | | to stockpile money).Entertainment: |
| 0-10% Insurance | | | | |
| | | | Make budget cuts here if you go over budget |
| 25% Home | | | | in other areas. Try not to go over budget, |
| | | | don't depend on this to fall back on |
| 5-10% Additional Savings | | | | monthly.Clothing: |
| | | | |
| 5% or more Groceries (5% per person per | | | | Shop sales, and try to stay away from the |
| month) | | | | "latest fad" shopping. Shop the thrift stores |
| | | | too. Purchase winter clothes at the beginning |
| 5% Clothing | | | | of the spring season when stores are trying |
| | | | to clear out their inventories.Household: |
| 10% Utilities | | | | |
| | | | Repair work, cleaning supplies, laundry |
| 10% Transportation | | | | detergent, light bulbs (all upkeep items). |
| | | | When you are under budget in this category |
| 0-5% Entertainment | | | | don't spend the excess, instead save it for |
| | | | unexpected household repairs.Miscellaneous |
| 0-5% Household goods, appliances, repairs | | | | Items: |
| | | | |
| 0-5% Miscellaneous | | | | Anything that can't be easily allocated |
| | | | anywhere else. Examples are beauty/hair care, |
| _______% Liquid Emergency FundRemember, this | | | | newspapers, magazines, gift items, etc. You |
| is just a guideline. Work with your family | | | | may need to add categories for child care |
| and budget, make any adjustments you need to. | | | | expenses, school tuition, loans, charity |
| If you find your figures exceed the above | | | | donations, and savings for big purchase |
| guidelines by more than 10%, that could | | | | items.Don't forget to include expenses that |
| possibly mean you are spending too much. | | | | don't occur on a monthly basis such as |
| Customize your budget to fit your needs.IRA | | | | insurance (which may be quarterly). Divide |
| 401K/403B/SEP: | | | | the total payment by twelve and put that |
| | | | amount away monthly.Sticking to your |
| Contribute to some sort of retirement plan. | | | | budget.It is possible that your budget may |
| Money in the plan will not be taxed while it | | | | not run as smooth as you hope at first, but |
| earns dividends, interest, or capital gains. | | | | DON'T GIVE UP. You can revise and fine tune |
| If you join via your employer, money is | | | | YOUR budget. Here are a few tips:For the |
| deducted from your paycheck before you can | | | | first three months go on a trial and error |
| spend it! Some employers match a percentage | | | | basis.Revise your budget when it isn't |
| of what you put into your plan. Yes, you can | | | | working and start over fresh next month.Have |
| withdraw early if needed, there will be a | | | | a monthly family meeting about the budget and |
| financial penalty applied and you will have | | | | discuss solutions to any budget |
| to pay tax on your withdrawal.Insurance: | | | | problems.Research budgeting via your local |
| | | | library or the internet.Remember, in order |
| Life, disability, medical, dental. Insurance | | | | for your budget to work-you must work it. You |
| is designed to protect you against loss of | | | | must devote time to it and monitor/control |
| life, income or health. Don't use insurance | | | | it. Whether you prefer budgeting by hand or |
| for your investment needs because most likely | | | | on your computer budgeting should not consume |
| you will end up paying far too much for the | | | | lots of time. Stick to a monthly monitoring |
| insurance. Keep them separate (insurance and | | | | plan and your budget will be a |
| investments) to get the best return.Savings: | | | | success.********** |
| | | | |
| Be sure to pay YOURSELF first! Save as much | | | | Lisa Fraley owns and operates Home Works |
| as you can. 5-10% is the guideline. Save what | | | | Natural Skin And Body Care. |
| you can save. Have a disciplined routine in | | | | |
| place. Save at least 6 months worth of living | | | | Natural skin care and body care products for |
| expense. Some recommend putting this into an | | | | natural you. Home Works also offers |
| interest bearing checking, savings, or | | | | affiliate, wholesale, and drop ship |
| money-market account.That is fine if that is | | | | programs.She is also an independent |
| what you want to do. It is MY opinion that we | | | | representative for Global Domains |
| should also stockpile a liquid emergency | | | | International. Global Domains International |
| fund. Something we can put our hands on right | | | | offers website domains for life with a |
| away without having to wait for any banking | | | | residual income to match. A free trial is |
| system to issue it to us. It can be kept | | | | available and you can begin earning during |
| hidden in our homes, I suggest investing in a | | | | the free trial period.Find out how to build |
| lockbox (fire/waterproof box), or a small | | | | the team of your dreams by taking her free |
| safe. Stockpile whatever money you can.Ways | | | | e-course. |
| to stockpile money:* Round off your budget | | | | |