budget program?

[SeppyM]

Hi all,

just looking for some advice to help use our money more wisely. DP works F/T, and i work P/T, and between us we make a reasonable income, however come the end of the month we are allllways struggling to make it to the next pay check.... i just don't understand how we can start to properly save for a house of our own at this rate, we're basically just living pay to pay.... frustrating!

anyway multiple times I've tried to make my own spreadsheet to try to pinpoint where our spending goes but it sort of become redundant after a couple of months.... SO was wondering is anyone has tried an actual program that you could download, that electrically manages ur spending etc.

Thanks a lot!

[Astrid]

I have had a friend who works in accounting recommend You Need a budget. There is computer software along with a phone app. There is a recent thread on phone apps and budgeting which is here

I just use a spreadsheet, but then I am a spreadsheet junkie I just have to remember to complete the actuals weekly so they are more accurate. After 3 weeks it can be a struggle to remember why I took out $100.
I did try ANZ Money manger, it was meant to hook in and look at our bank accounts, then allocate the spending. Not for me

Honestly, budgeting takes work and some thought. It just does not really happen automatically. You first need to track your spending for a month or two to see where the money is going. Once you know that, then set-up your budget amounts, don't forget the annual expenses (rates, insurance, rego etc) and erratic expenditure such as car maintenance, tyre replacement etc Then you need to make a decision on how to handle the money.
*Do you draw it all out and put in in envelopes
*Just use the one bank account and budget software that works like envelopes.
*Do you use multiple banks accounts? One for everyday spending, one for bills and one for saving?

Look at who is managing the money? Are you both dipping into the bank account? Does one of you manage it all?