| The key to a happy, successful life is money | | | | to rent movies every week? No, because you |
| management. | | | | actually need shelter. But when you spend your |
| Making a large amount of money means nothing if | | | | money on movies or other wants before paying |
| those funds are not properly managed. One must | | | | your monthly payment on your house or other |
| learn to live within their means. This means not | | | | necessities you are taking money from these |
| spending more than you make, and making sure | | | | necessities. Again, never sacrifice your needs for |
| that expenses are less than income. But who has | | | | your wants. |
| time to keep up with this stuff? | | | | Once you have made a budget, you need to stick |
| A budget is a quick way to ensure that you are | | | | to it. Upon receiving income, go straight to your |
| managing your money. What you need to do is | | | | budget and divide the money up to where it |
| first make out a list of all of your expenses, and | | | | needs to be first. You should always put money in |
| divide them into the ones you need to live and | | | | an emergency fund, which you will use when |
| the ones you can live without. | | | | unforeseen events take place and demand the |
| Next, list all kinds of income you have. Include | | | | use of large amounts of money. These include |
| payments from work, income from interest on | | | | mechanical problems with a car, major repairs on |
| investments, and anything else that brings you | | | | the house, or medical emergencies. Then, with the |
| income on a regular basis. This list will help you | | | | leftovers, you can purchase anything you |
| distinguish between your needs and wants. Every | | | | designated as wants. |
| time you get income, you need to pay off your | | | | This simple money management technique can |
| bills in order of importance; otherwise you might | | | | make the difference in your money lasting you |
| end up coming up short on the important things | | | | barely long enough and you having money to |
| at the end of the month. | | | | spare. If every American would use a budget and |
| The main principle people need to grasp to live | | | | put money in savings on a regular basis, there |
| financially happy is to never sacrifice your needs | | | | would be no debt crisis. Learning to maintain your |
| for your wants. Would you sacrifice your house | | | | funds helps you greatly in the long run. |