3 Things To Do With an Unused Budget

Have you ever wanted to start something but just never got around to doing it.  How about reading that book? Cleaning the garage? What about using a budget?

Sure, we all know a budget can help you achieve your financial goals, but if you don’t use it, how can it help you?

Worry no more because here are some tips for putting that unused budget to work:

1. Origami –

Get creative and use your unused budget for paper airplanes, paper swans, Chinese lanterns, or any other form of entertainment. Think about all the money you’re saving! Sure, you could use your budget to actually set aside money for entertainment…but that would mean you have to use the budget.

2. Kindling –

Do you have a fireplace? Want to cut back on your heating bill? Use your unused budget as the kindling to start up the fire and save some money this winter on your heating bill. Good thing that budget didn’t go to waste…

3. Christmas gifts –

Not sure what to do with all those financial books and practice budgets that haven’t been used? Use them as a Christmas gift! You’ll save money and your gift might bring someone out of debt and into financial freedom!

I digress : )

In all seriousness, a budget can really make a difference for your finances – but you have to use it. Whether you write down your expenses by hand on a printed budget, use an excel spreadsheet, or track your expenses online, you’ll start to get ahead with your finances if you just take the time to put that unused budget to work!

My wife and I currently use mint.com to track our budget.  We’ve been using it for over two years now and it’s made budgeting really simple.  It automatically separates all your transactions and places them into preset categories like groceries, gas, utilities, and customized budgets.   The best part is that it’s free!  I’ll be sure to give you a full overview of mint in a later article.

What do you use to track your expenses?  Have you tried mint.com?