It might seem that developing a budget should be an elementary task. But many people are simply not inclined to use spreadsheets, balance checkbooks or lay out a formal budget. Whether by nature, or as a result of a reaction to public school mathematics training, some people just aren’t ‘number people’.
Even if a person is not good at budgeting, the benefits make it worth the effort, even if it requires getting outside help. A good budget accounts for monthly income and expenditures, and anticipated changes in these. It is also important to plan for unanticipated changes.
If you feel uncomfortable using spreadsheet software – which is available for free these days either through Open Office or Google Docs & Spreadsheets – at least jot down some figures on a legal-sized pad.
