The "B" word

For many folks, the word “budget” conjures up images of straight jackets and handcuffs. They think of a budget as something for nerds, or those types that simply don’t know how to relax. In reality, however, a budget can be a liberating experience. Budgeting enables a person to untangle himself from a web of payments; payments that have imperceptibly begun robbing him of his ability to enjoy a rich and meaningful life.

During the past 30 years or so, debt has become the preferred means to getting what we want, fast. With billions of dollars spent on advertising and marketing each year, it’s no wonder, that so many have fallen victim to their perceived desires. Today, with new products and innovations being developed at an ever increasing pace, many folks are beginning to find that they simply can not afford to keep up. We are awakening to the realization that we can’t continue to outspend our incomes.

But, there really is a way out. For many of us, the simple answer is to develop a written budget. What is a budget? According to financial guru Dave Ramsey, a written budget is simply “you telling your money where you want it to go”. It enables a person to readily determine the impact of his spending and saving decisions. A budget also can aid the user in establish his priorities, and perhaps more importantly, provides a means of accountability.