I started my training routine for the Peachtree Road Race 10k this morning.  It’s unbelievable how quickly one loses the muscle tone and endurance built up during the prior year.  A mere six months since my last 5k race and I’m struggling to knock out two miles.  To top it off today the temperature was in the low 30’s so it was a “great” way to start out! I’m really looking forward to the Peachtree and the 5k’s that I will run between now and the end of the year.  This may be my second and last year for the 10k due to the time commitment needed to do well.  Mind you, “well” for me is finishing the race and walking fewer times than last year!

Finances and successful habits are like running.  If you fall off the wagon for very long it takes more effort and energy to get back on the wagon.  Financial fitness takes work and effort.  When you first try, it may be almost as painful and enjoyable as a root canal.  Although, to be certain, some of you would rather have a root canal!  You may have some false starts where you try a particular budget method and it doesn’t work out.  Or you try to pay off that credit card, only to have an emergency come up, but little to no emergency fund, and end up putting the emergency back on the credit card.  Whatever the setback, you have a choice.  Will you try again? or will you give up? 

My wife and I tried budgeting for 3 or 4 years and we finally found a budget system that works for both of us.  We tried, and quit and tried and quit and tried, etc.  It was frustrating, we gave up at times, and then we tried again.  Speaking from experience, I can tell you that it’s worth the effort.  It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.

Give it a try.  I’ve added a budget spreadsheet to the Resources section of the site.  Give it a shot, let me know how I can improve it.  The nutshell overview is to put your gross and net paycheck amounts into the budget.  Then fill in all of your expenses.  The budget break even box at the top will be green as long as the number is greater than or equal to zero.  It will turn red if you are spending more than you make in a given month.  Have fun playing with it and feel free to shoot me any questions you may have.  I’m working to get my site email working and will put up a contact page once it’s up.