Page 19 - Book3E

Call your FFEF counselor to report on your progress and update your budget information—and give yourself a pat on the back!
Yearly Financial Tracker: Use this form to give yourself a complete picture of your annual financial situation. Transfer the amounts from each Monthly Budget Summary to this form. On the lower part of the form, record your Household Monthly Net Income from page 12 in Volume 2. By recording how your spending compares to your income and tracking the patterns for a year, you will be able to determine what you need to change to get the most out of your money in the future.
Although developing a sound budget is not dependent on the forms that are used, utilizing forms that have been developed for that purpose will help you create a better budget. A large selection of budget forms can be found at stores such as Office Max, Office Depot, or Staples. You can also find books on family finance and budgeting at most public libraries. These often include blank budget forms that you may be able to photocopy and use. Check the copyright in the book to see if it is okay to copy them for personal use. Usually restrictions apply only if you are going to copy the forms for profit-making reasons. Another option would be to purchase budget software such as Quicken or MS Money.
Ways to Help You Live Your Budget
The idea behind a monthly budget is for you to see where your money is going. This information is crucial to see if overspending is or is not occurring. Possessing this information will make it possible for you to achieve your goals in short- and long-term planning and economic prosperity. It is a proven strategy for eliminating unnecessary spending and increasing the amount of your savings, which is the only way to reach your financial goals.
There are many suggestions for the best way to live within your budg- et. Some are included here. Trying the ones that appeal to you will help you find which method works best for you and your household. The most important thing is that you are successful on your own terms.
Measuring Your Current Progress 11