Hi Julie
We have a budget and I stick to it constantly. Every cent is accounted for, so there really isnt room to stray from the budget at this point in our lives.
My DH is now getting paid weekly, and I have a spreadsheet in my computer with our weekly expenses, incoming funds and I track where all our money is spent.
When DH lost his old job, I had to really cut things to the bone, and we stayed like this for 8 weeks until he recently found employment again. It turned out to be a good thing, because it gave me a jolt to be even more frugal again, something that is probably easy to lose sight of from time to time.
With my budget, I worked out how much I needed to put aside each week to cover regular bills like utilities, car registration, telephone etc etc, allocated a set amount for groceries (this is adjusted if necessary), and I make sure to put aside a small amount each week in savings, although it is never very much, every little bit counts.
I also save all my loose change and when the change jar is full, I take it to the bank and deposit it. It is amazing how quickly that adds up.
Any money left over from the groceries and such, is put into the savings account.
Hope this helps!
Special Member of the Family
This skill came in very handy when he was laid off last year. We just tightened the belt and lived a little leaner. We survived without missing a single bill and anyone on the outside looking in never knew unless they realized he didn't leave for work in the mornings for a long time. It was for a year in fact. We ultimately had to relocate and sell our home there but bought an even nicer home here so budgeting WORKS folks! We had no trouble getting a mortgage though he had been unemployed for a year. 
:pumpki nsg 
