The Cookout

[eclipsed]

I grew up watching my parents struggle with this. Now I see my siblings doing the same and it kind of prevented me from acquiring huge amounts of debt out of paranoia. Like I didn't want to be in the kind of position where I have to struggle and worry all the time. I learned some stuff over the years that helped. I use a physical planner I keep at my desk. I write down all my bills and make sure all my money is sorted out for each month. I also write down every transition I do on and offline, rounding up to the nearest $1 to ensure I never overdraw on my account. If I want to buy something I don't need, I wait 2 weeks. If I have forgotten it by the end of the 2 weeks, then I really didn't need it after all. I just do stuff like this.

How do you manage your finances and your debts?

 

[Storm]

I probably should get better at managing mine. I mean I don't overspend a lot but I can definitely be more organized and cut back here and there. That's a great tip on waiting 2 weeks though, I might try that.

 

[Jay]

I have a spreadsheet I call the domestic cash flow tracker that has all my bills, my allowance, and has the net I should expect in savings at the end of the month. It works well but if you’re not disciplined it doesn’t matter.

 

[RedMoon]

I keep a tight budget and I don't spend on anything I don't need. This year has been financially hard for me so it caused me to take a look at how I was spending and make some changes.

 

[Real One]

I play things very safe. After my parents struggled with money their whole lives, and went into a lot of debt, I decided I was going to change that for me. So ever since, I've kind of pinched pennies. Not like extreme cheapskate style, but more just I tried to save as much money as I could. And I only spent money when I needed to.

I've seen my parents deal with their debt, and I couldn't go that route.

 

[Nesut]

I have a spreadsheet I call the domestic cash flow tracker that has all my bills, my allowance, and has the net I should expect in savings at the end of the month. It works well but if you’re not disciplined it doesn’t matter.

I use something similar but instead of a spreadsheet I set it up in Mint by Intuit.

 

[Troy]

Spend it all until I get my next check unfortunately. I need an intervention

 

[Sovereign]

Spend it all until I get my next check unfortunately. I need an intervention

Been there before. You gotta get tired of being broke joe.

 

[Jball]

I have cut out unnecessary stuff and create a budget on monthly expenses and make sure to spend on important and basics necessities. I only use credit cards or buy debts when there’s really a need.

 

[educatedman23]

I write down the bills that I have every single month along with the amount. I put some of my money towards debt repayment. I have a "want" fund so I can enjoy certain things. I have a rainy day fund as well as an opportunity fund. These things allow me to be responsible.