Comments on: A Budget Controls Your Money Like A Dam Controls A River

By: Back To Basics: 79+ Brilliant Budgeting Resources You’ll Love | My Super-Charged Life

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:00:49 +0000

[...] 1. A Budget Controls Your Money Like A Dam Controls A River [...]

By: 50 Frugal Things You Aren't Doing | The Wisdom Journal

50 Frugal Things You Aren't Doing | The Wisdom Journal — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:02:04 +0000

[...] People talk a good game (me included), and some people actually do live their lives according to a budget, but most do not. Most people I talk with write a budget, and intend to follow it, but encounter [...]

By: 12 Steps to Setting a Financial Goal | The Wisdom Journal

12 Steps to Setting a Financial Goal | The Wisdom Journal — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:59:49 +0000

[...] 1. You must have a desire or need to accomplish your goal. It sounds like a “duh” moment, but it really is the first step. I sincerely want to perform this analysis and get back on a budget. [...]

By: Can we afford college | On Financial Success

Can we afford college | On Financial Success — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:44:59 +0000

[...] tuition or their living expenses. Otherwise, you probably should focus on creating and following a written budget, paying down your debts, and investing for retirement. There are many ways to pay for college, but [...]

By: MBN Group Writing Project: Budgets : MoneyBlogNetwork

MBN Group Writing Project: Budgets : MoneyBlogNetwork — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:20:33 +0000

[...] * The Wisdom Journal: A Budget Controls Your Money Like A Dam Controls A River [...]

By: Sunday Money Roundup - The Flu Attacked Our House Edition. | My Two Dollars

Sunday Money Roundup - The Flu Attacked Our House Edition. | My Two Dollars — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:02:33 +0000

[...] The Wisdom Journal has A Budget Controls Your Money Like A Dam Controls A River. [...]

By: Mr. Debtbeater

Mr. Debtbeater — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:39:39 +0000

Very nice analogy indeed. We had somewhat of a *cough*breach*cough* in our dam this last holiday season that we’re finally patching up. Time to reinforce the dam quickly so we don’t flood the towns again!

By: Ron

Ron — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:20:32 +0000

@Andy
Great points. I have found myself in that very situation. You budget $50 for clothing and suddenly all three kids need tennis shoes. What DO you do? I’m in a personal financial situation where it doesn’t hurt me to go over in a budget category but about 10 years ago, budgeting was much more important because the funds just weren’t there and the credit cards were shut down by the issuers.

If you consistently go over in a category, apparently there’s not enough budgeted in that area.

When we went through CCCS 10 years ago, they MADE us budget for entertainment. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was trying to get out of debt and they wanted me to go out to movies? We had been so tight for so long that we honestly didn’t know how to have fun. It was an alien concept because we were in such bad financial shape.

CCCS counselors told us that if we didn’t have a little fun here and there, we wouldn’t stick to the program. They even made us budget for going out to eat at least once per month!

We began budgeting for real life when we included fun and eating out, though we would save our eating out money for the end of the month “just in case.” It made us plan our purchases and spend money accordingly.

Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. I really appreciate the feedback!

By: Andy Wood

Andy Wood — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:25:01 +0000

Great insights, Ron. “Budget for fun”… what a concept! Most people treat budgeting like a trip to the you-know-who!

I have also learned by experience that some people just don’t get the concept at the point where they need it the most. What do you do when you’re standing at that point of purchase (e.g., grocery store), and you have $500 in the checkbook, but have only budgeted $200 for groceries… and the bill is for $275? My point is that some people try do budgeting only in hindsight rather than foresight. Imagine bouncing down the Ocoee backwards, with your guide using a mirror attached to his helmet. That describes the bumpy ride many people take with their dollars. Hope that makes sense.

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:20:55 +0000

@Jeff
Thank you my friend. I sincerely appreciate it!