Here is a lovely article for you to read. Sure this will blow your mind but remember to plan according to how it suit you. lets read on;
More people are feeling the pinch these days, but budgeting doesn't have to be a pain. See more banking pictures.
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Sadly, few people on this planet have access to immense stockpiles of gold bullion and vaults full of sparkly diamonds.
Most of us have to live within our means and on a limited budget. This
is especially true in these recession-ravaged times, in which the idea
of luxury living looks less like brick mansions and more like rent-stabilized apartments.
Since the so-called Great Recession began in 2007, the ranks of people living below the poverty line in America have expanded substantially. In the southern part of the United States, around 17 percent are considered impoverished. In Washington D.C., more than 30 percent of children live in poverty [source: Reuters].
Even for those who've managed to avoid such destitution, the recession has strained family finances. Relatively wealthy families, especially, have become ardent users of coupons; 39 percent of households earning more than $70,000 per year have resorted to coupon clipping [source: Time].
Quite simply, many people have started learning to live on a budget. Having a budget equals thinking about money in an analytical, logical way to avoid excessive debt. It also means setting realistic goals for spending and saving. In doing so, you can prevent the recurring, hair-graying stress of getting behind on bills while actually getting more fun and enjoyment out of the money you spend.
Before we launch into our tips, it may help to clarify exactly what it means to live comfortably on budget. There's no black-and-white answer to that question.
For some people, putting away enough money to go on an annual three-day vacation might be the ultimate luxury. For others, going out to eat once a week or getting a monthly pedicure might be a real treat. Whatever you enjoy in life, there's a difference between living on a fun-starved budget and living comfortably -- yet still affordably.
Perhaps, the only thing stopping you from enjoying life a lot more is developing a better understanding of how to get the most from your money without having to sweat important bills.
So if you're one of the vast majority of Earth's citizens who must carefully plot out purchases both minor and major, keep reading. You'll see some tips that may help you save more money and have more fun at the same time.
Since the so-called Great Recession began in 2007, the ranks of people living below the poverty line in America have expanded substantially. In the southern part of the United States, around 17 percent are considered impoverished. In Washington D.C., more than 30 percent of children live in poverty [source: Reuters].
Even for those who've managed to avoid such destitution, the recession has strained family finances. Relatively wealthy families, especially, have become ardent users of coupons; 39 percent of households earning more than $70,000 per year have resorted to coupon clipping [source: Time].
Quite simply, many people have started learning to live on a budget. Having a budget equals thinking about money in an analytical, logical way to avoid excessive debt. It also means setting realistic goals for spending and saving. In doing so, you can prevent the recurring, hair-graying stress of getting behind on bills while actually getting more fun and enjoyment out of the money you spend.
Before we launch into our tips, it may help to clarify exactly what it means to live comfortably on budget. There's no black-and-white answer to that question.
For some people, putting away enough money to go on an annual three-day vacation might be the ultimate luxury. For others, going out to eat once a week or getting a monthly pedicure might be a real treat. Whatever you enjoy in life, there's a difference between living on a fun-starved budget and living comfortably -- yet still affordably.
Perhaps, the only thing stopping you from enjoying life a lot more is developing a better understanding of how to get the most from your money without having to sweat important bills.
So if you're one of the vast majority of Earth's citizens who must carefully plot out purchases both minor and major, keep reading. You'll see some tips that may help you save more money and have more fun at the same time.
No matter where you live, the culture that surrounds you affects the
way you think about money. Some societies preach the gospel of rampant,
wasteful consumerism. Others stress the importance of extreme frugality
and a sense of do-it-yourself survivalism. And of course, in between
those extremes lies a whole range of attitudes and beliefs about money.
The culture around you affects what you consider to be comfortable living. If everyone you know has not one, but two 60-inch HDTVs, while you hobble on with a 27-inch TV from the dinosaur age, you're bound to notice the disparity.
But does your sense of comfort require that you own massive (and massively expensive) technological marvels? Do your life's core values mean that more toys equal more happiness? If that's the case, you'll have to make sure you have the earning power to buy those toys without sacrificing critical aspects of your finances, such as savings and important investments, like education or a house.
Many people must simply pick and choose what's most important to them in terms of comfort. Whether it's a livable home in a safe neighborhood, good food, a house full of puppies, or a bevy of tech gadgets makes no difference. You just have to decide what really matters to you.
With consumer confidence in the United States at its lowest in three decades, there's talk that maybe people will slowly learn to become savers instead of consumers and spenders [source: Reuters]. But that kind of shift will take years to complete. As it is, Americans spend a tremendous amount of money in areas that could be trimmed. You can compare your spending against the average by checking out this illustration at Visual Economics.
In the meantime, economic realities mean people must learn the art of balancing the cost of comfort items with necessary expenses in a sustainable way. Keep reading and you'll see just how to do that.
The culture around you affects what you consider to be comfortable living. If everyone you know has not one, but two 60-inch HDTVs, while you hobble on with a 27-inch TV from the dinosaur age, you're bound to notice the disparity.
But does your sense of comfort require that you own massive (and massively expensive) technological marvels? Do your life's core values mean that more toys equal more happiness? If that's the case, you'll have to make sure you have the earning power to buy those toys without sacrificing critical aspects of your finances, such as savings and important investments, like education or a house.
Many people must simply pick and choose what's most important to them in terms of comfort. Whether it's a livable home in a safe neighborhood, good food, a house full of puppies, or a bevy of tech gadgets makes no difference. You just have to decide what really matters to you.
With consumer confidence in the United States at its lowest in three decades, there's talk that maybe people will slowly learn to become savers instead of consumers and spenders [source: Reuters]. But that kind of shift will take years to complete. As it is, Americans spend a tremendous amount of money in areas that could be trimmed. You can compare your spending against the average by checking out this illustration at Visual Economics.
In the meantime, economic realities mean people must learn the art of balancing the cost of comfort items with necessary expenses in a sustainable way. Keep reading and you'll see just how to do that.
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