Mind Over Expenses
I do not know how it starts. Though, it might begin out of pent-up frustration from holding back your spending due to lack of funds.
Then, you get a little extra income, and your mind relaxes a little and the flood gates open! Spending comes in a wave, too fast to see how much has left the wallet!
When the evening comes, you tally the receipts and moan over the charges on the credit card.
All that could have been prevented if you had put a plan together, a list. Spend on paper before going to the store. It is like making a grocery list based on a menu plan. You will spend less at the store.
Pre-plan your spending and you can accumulate a long-lasting positive effect on your savings account!
Easy for an Accountant
Agreed. Record keeping is easier for an accountant to comprehend. However, when working for a company, an accountant does double-entry accounting, also referred to as accrual accounting.
Personal financial accounting is referred to as cash accounting. It is simple. Cash in less cash out.
I am just trying to make you account-able!
Keep It Simple—If You Can
A budget is developed from actual income and spending history.
Now, most of you are saying, “No way am I spending the time to put that together!” Okay. What will you do? Do you want to be in control? Can you do numbers in your head? If so, good for you.
However, the truth is in the bank account, at the end of the month. And, better yet, in your savings account.
Simple Options for Control
Information is important. How you spent your money may be much different than what you thought.
Collect receipts and sort them by a short list of budget categories, such as, rent, groceries, eating out, fuel, home furnishings, gifts, car repairs, and debt payments. You may have other categories.
At the end of the month, this may take about two hours max. If you do it once or twice, it will modify how you spend your income.
Simple. Income less spending. Did you have any money left at the end of the month?
This is your money! Your future. How will you manage it, as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer)? Accounting is only information for the CEO to make better decisions!