So how are those New Years resolutions going?
Are you sticking to the plan, whatever it might be?
In this entry I'm going to talk about BUDGETING... and Gazpacho(?) Yes as we said we are going to start from scratch this year... and learn together. So the BIG question is - DO YOU HAVE A BUDGET? If the answer is yes... is it working for you, or are you still trying to make ends meet? If it's working for you then you might want to skip this part and go straight to the gazpacho recipe (I know it's an odd time of the year to be thinking 'gazpacho' but personally, I like it as much in the January as I do in July)
In this economic downturn ... which 'they' say will soon be over (any year now), ensuring that your personal financial house is in order is imperative. Feeding the kids, paying the bills, paying your mortgage, clothes, school supplies, gas to get to work so you can keep that job, you get the picture, all of the 'non - negotiables' . What is negotiable are the extras, dinners out, fancy desserts, ultra light double grande with mocha cream, manicures (I love manicures) you get my point.
Budgeting involves understanding how much money you have coming in vs. how much you have going out. When you create a budget, you're creating a plan for saving and spending. Pretty basic stuff .
Step One - Understand Your Expenses - Track 'em!
Preparing a personal budget can be a mystery if the amount coming in and going out of your pocket is unknown. You'll need to list your expenses to better understand where your money is going. Best to track over the period of a month ... then when you are done.. you'll be better able to set a weekly or monthly budget. It may sound too simple, but try keeping a diary of how much you spend at the coffee shop each day, parking, gas, groceries, insurance (life, auto, car) hydro, electric, water, taxes and so on and so on and so on. (it never ends!) Keep a notepad close at hand and sit down every day and summarize all of the dough that you spent that day. Do this for a month and divide the total by 30 (I find that my daily total is less scary then my monthly total ... even though it is the same amount)
Step Two - Understand Your Income
Whether you are a single individual or a family, you need to determine how much money is coming into your household every month. Once this is determined, you will now know how much money there is to work with. If you find that you are spending more money then you make, well, some serious choices have to be made.
In this entry I'm going to talk about BUDGETING... and Gazpacho(?) Yes as we said we are going to start from scratch this year... and learn together. So the BIG question is - DO YOU HAVE A BUDGET? If the answer is yes... is it working for you, or are you still trying to make ends meet? If it's working for you then you might want to skip this part and go straight to the gazpacho recipe (I know it's an odd time of the year to be thinking 'gazpacho' but personally, I like it as much in the January as I do in July)
In this economic downturn ... which 'they' say will soon be over (any year now), ensuring that your personal financial house is in order is imperative. Feeding the kids, paying the bills, paying your mortgage, clothes, school supplies, gas to get to work so you can keep that job, you get the picture, all of the 'non - negotiables' . What is negotiable are the extras, dinners out, fancy desserts, ultra light double grande with mocha cream, manicures (I love manicures) you get my point.
Budgeting involves understanding how much money you have coming in vs. how much you have going out. When you create a budget, you're creating a plan for saving and spending. Pretty basic stuff .
Step One - Understand Your Expenses - Track 'em!
Preparing a personal budget can be a mystery if the amount coming in and going out of your pocket is unknown. You'll need to list your expenses to better understand where your money is going. Best to track over the period of a month ... then when you are done.. you'll be better able to set a weekly or monthly budget. It may sound too simple, but try keeping a diary of how much you spend at the coffee shop each day, parking, gas, groceries, insurance (life, auto, car) hydro, electric, water, taxes and so on and so on and so on. (it never ends!) Keep a notepad close at hand and sit down every day and summarize all of the dough that you spent that day. Do this for a month and divide the total by 30 (I find that my daily total is less scary then my monthly total ... even though it is the same amount)
Step Two - Understand Your Income
Whether you are a single individual or a family, you need to determine how much money is coming into your household every month. Once this is determined, you will now know how much money there is to work with. If you find that you are spending more money then you make, well, some serious choices have to be made.
You may find that you will have to deal with choices or concessions in order to bring your spending or saving back into control.
1/ get a part-time job (or 2) 2/ go back to school or get training for a better paying job or, 3/ stop spending so much money!
REMEMBER ... SPEND LESS THEN YOU MAKE !
If you google "how to set up a budget" there are lots of web sites available, some will cost you money but they can supply you with templates of budget sheets. Or go to your local library, or bookstore. I found this link to a free household budget (printable) form. Give it a try.
www.homemoneyhelp.com/budgetformP.html
When you know how much is coming in versus going out.. you'll then have a better idea of what you can save, spend and INVEST... and we will get into the investing stuff over the weeks ahead.
Now I'm getting hungry... and I know Gazpacho really doesn't have anything to do with this topic but it is my FAVOURITE SOUP IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD !!! Just think, summers coming, and you can sit out in your backyard ... and have this wonderful, cool, tasty, (good for you) soup...
Beverley's Gazpacho Delight
1 - 1.36L can Tomato Juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper
1-28oz can Whole Tomatoes
2- onions chopped
2- green peppers chopped
1 cucumber, sliced thinly
2 -stalks of celery
1/4 -cup parsley chopped
dash tabasco (depends on how hot you like it)
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl - use a hand mixer to blend well.
Note: if you want to make a smaller amount - you can use an electric blender and put all ingredients into blender and blend. If you use 19oz tomato juice can suggest cutting everything else in half.
Refrigerate for 2 hours or until ready to serve.
I constantly taste this soup throughout the process.. add a little here.... add a little there !!
I call it my Beverley Gazpacho Delight !!! Enjoy....
Good luck with the budgetting process.. it is cumbersome and boring... but take on the challenge, make that commitment to yourself get back on track and take control of your financial future. Be diligent, be committed and be in control!
When you know how much is coming in versus going out.. you'll then have a better idea of what you can save, spend and INVEST... and we will get into the investing stuff over the weeks ahead.
Now I'm getting hungry... and I know Gazpacho really doesn't have anything to do with this topic but it is my FAVOURITE SOUP IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD !!! Just think, summers coming, and you can sit out in your backyard ... and have this wonderful, cool, tasty, (good for you) soup...
Beverley's Gazpacho Delight
1 - 1.36L can Tomato Juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
1/2 tsp pepper
1-28oz can Whole Tomatoes
2- onions chopped
2- green peppers chopped
1 cucumber, sliced thinly
2 -stalks of celery
1/4 -cup parsley chopped
dash tabasco (depends on how hot you like it)
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl - use a hand mixer to blend well.
Note: if you want to make a smaller amount - you can use an electric blender and put all ingredients into blender and blend. If you use 19oz tomato juice can suggest cutting everything else in half.
Refrigerate for 2 hours or until ready to serve.
I constantly taste this soup throughout the process.. add a little here.... add a little there !!
I call it my Beverley Gazpacho Delight !!! Enjoy....
Good luck with the budgetting process.. it is cumbersome and boring... but take on the challenge, make that commitment to yourself get back on track and take control of your financial future. Be diligent, be committed and be in control!
Next blog we'll start to move on with what to do with all that money you now have to SAVE and INVEST.
Thanks for stopping by
DIG IN !
Beverley and Jeff
Thanks for stopping by
DIG IN !
Beverley and Jeff
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