If you are looking to start a budget but are a bit overwhelmed by budget programs, Bankrate.com has some low-tech tips for getting you started budgeting and tracking your money.
* Write it down
Keep a notebook to track where your money is going and write down what you are spending money on. After a period of time, you can look and see where your money is going and adjust.
* Save receipts
If writing down transactions is difficult, you can save receipts and then analyze them to understand where your money is going. The issue here is that you don't want to save too many receipts (say, three months) and then have to try to sort them. Staying on top of receipts will help track spending.
* Cut expenses
Bankrate looks at using the envelope system to track spending and cut back on expenses. With the envelope system, you create envelopes for each of your expenses, then you place a specific sum of money in those envelopes; you can then only spend what you set aside in the envelope for that expense. Many people have had success with this system, it could be worth a try.
* Cash question?
Some people prefer to use only cash for purchases; having the cash and then handing it over for purchases make them very aware of what they are spending. But some people will spend whatever they have in their pocket, so carrying cash leads them to spend more. Do what's best for you.
* Comparison shop
Start a "price book." A "price book" can be a chart or spreadsheet that lists the cost of items that you usually buy, or helps track the price of an item you are planning on buying. Tracking what you spend on everyday items, like groceries, will be help you find ways to save. And getting the best price for a big ticket item is always a good way to save money.
See the entire Bankrate.com article on the Fox Business Web site
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