What's the best budgeting website, blog or book out there now?

[ajrsmom]

Have you found a really good website, blog or book that offers great tips for budgeting?

Do you have a system that you've been using? Where did you find it or did you create it yourself?

[RobertaD]

I've read several budget articles/books over the years but have never really "followed" anyone. I've always made a list of the fixed bills (mortgage, car payment, life insurance, car/house insurance, etc.) then a list of the flexible bills (utilities, groceries, clothing, school supplies/activities, car repairs) and try to keep them as low as possible. Then I would make a list of "if all bills are paid" items like entertainment, vacation, etc.

Most years we have never had much to go into the "if all bills are paid" except the occasional dinner out and vacations have been paying for gas & food to drive to a family members home for a few days.

Bills that are paid annually or semi-annual go into the savings account on a monthly basis so the money is there to pay them on time. I have always set back money each month for repairs on the house (furnace cleaning/check up, etc.) and cars (oil changes, tires, tune-ups, etc.) so hopefully we can pay cash when the time comes.

Roberta

[MKS]

Dave Ramsey and the Financial Peace University. It is a class you can take locally or online or purchase the dvds of the class. Yes, you do have to pay for it, but it is well worth it for the inspiration, motivation and the very specific step by step process of creating a budget for any situation. (Roberta's advice is great and goes right along with what Dave would say.) A lot of people offer non specific advise and it is just not helpful. This really gets to the nitty gritty. Not to mention it covers a whole slew of other financial info. He has websites etc. with lots of info too, if you want to just check it out first. He will also have half price sales on most of his merchandise from time to time, so wait for that! I have done the class and I did buy his envelope system for the envelopes I carry with me. He is very extreme. We don't do everything quite the way he would, but it really works.

[cau]

I pretty much pay for all the needs and whatever is left I use for the wants

[Debwestbury]

I was brought up the same way...all bills are paid and done with then anything left over is to play with...if there is any let over...I was also told the envelope way...You keep a box with envelopes marked as to what they are used for...say xx amount for car repairs, x amount for house taxes(if you no longer pay through for mortgage) and each month an amount is put into the envelope, so that when you need to pay it it is there...