What is the best technique for managing you money?

can anybody recomend a technique to manage personal finances? I just seem to be in the red every month. I dont have credit card debts but cant seem to manage on a monthly basis and hit the overdraft limit every time . I think it could be discipline but I dont buy expensive clothes or go out often etc so am so frustrated

OK this is how I manage my family budget:

List your bills: The amount due for these bills:
(most important first)
Rent/Mortgage $700
Car payment $300
Car insurance $100
Utilities $350

Then list your bills that can be paid off:
Loans $25 payoff= $3500
Hospital Bills $25 payoff= $2500

Write down ur income: $2500/month

total bills= $1500
difference= $1000

$1500/4= $325/week needed for bills
$1000 on side for food gas clothes etc.

i have more info for you if you would like...I used to be a financial adviser......Thanks for reading

Crystal

Do not under any circumstances allow your husband to carry debit or credit cards. After years of never getting ahead, I took these items from his possession and now have plenty of extra money every month.

For the first month, write down every penny spent, and what for. Right there you will see if you are spending where you shouldn't, or if you might need to seek either other or additional employment.

For the second month, make out a budget, showing all the fixed costs like rent and utilities and gasoline, and then allow yourself only what you can afford for unnecessary items and still have money to put into a savings account (even if it is only $10 a month). Most people say they don't spend too much on unnecessary items, but the list above usually shows them they are wrong. You may truly have hard expenses that match what you make, so get a 2nd job, or you may be one of those who find they can eat leftovers, stop texting, cancel cable and internet, cancel cell phones, stop eating out, stop driving around, no Starbucks coffees, etc.

Keep working at it after that until you no longer have to keep track because you have learned.

Simple. Create a budget. First, add up your total income for the month (credit). Then, add up your total expenses for the month (debit). Expenses should include mortgage/rent, electric, water/sewer/utilities, cable, phone, internet, groceries and gas. Subtract your total expenses from your total income. Whatever is left over is your monthly spending money. Divide it by 4 for weekly spending money.

*Open 2 accounts. A checking account for your bills and a savings account for any additional money. I recommend keeping 3 months worth of living expenses in your savings account. Monitor your bank accounts online daily.

Read the book Cashflow Robert Kiyosaki