What Is The Best Way To Start Becoming Better Organized With Finances? And Saving Money??

A BUDGET is the #1 thing you need.
I created a spreadsheet and input our next 3 months of paydays. Then I divide all bills over the month’s pay checks (2 per month). The best way to save money is to push a little more onto one paycheck so you only have “just enough” to get to the next payday. Then you leave a bigger cushion on your other paycheck and deposit the excess. Its easier to save $500 once a month on payday then $250 twice a month– because the less “extra’ You have the easier it is to ‘disapear.”
You should have roughly the same amount of bills every month so its easy to see what the next 3 months will look like for you. I started this budget plan a year ago and we’ve paid off massive amounts of bills and now have over $2K in savings. We’re buying a house this month and having a baby in April– so its great to know we have financial control!

I use the envelope method for saving money. But before you save money you really have to look at what you spend every month and on what. First make a list of all you bills starting with the highest priority. Such as; Rent, lights, gas, water, food, child care, ect… go down the list till the end. Just be honest if you really spend $75.00 on coffee then put down that amount in the sub catagorie for recreation or weekly lunch allowance or what ever you call it. Then add it all together once you have that final figure start looking at your bills and see what you can cut back on. Call your utility companies and ask about budget plans that can reduce your total monthly payments. Devide that number into 4 that will tell you how much you will need to put away every week for the necessaties. Look at you budget as a week to week thing. Plan your bills into weeks, and every pay day take the required amount and put the devided amounts into envelps or just put that amount into a “bill account” you set up at the bank. Use the “bill account ” at the bank ONLY for your bills. Then with the money left over make a wish envelope such as a new washer and dryer, new bed set for the baby, new car down payment ect… Then with your left over money even if its $10.00 put a little in each envelope every pay day and you’ll be surprised how quick you save money and how much you save. But the key to the whole thing is disapline and a want to show your child how to be responsable with money. My husband and I have 2 sons and both of the at the ages of 2 and 4 know the value of a dollar and both have bank accounts, they save every penny they find on the ground. Its theire own little wish envelopes. It works for me and my family and I hope it works for you.

Organizing finances should include:
Knowing your net worth (i.e. what you have, what you owe, and the difference between the two). Definitely include cash, bank accounts, investments, etc. Also mortgages, car loans, credit cards, etc. Personally I include house and cars but no personal property like furniture, jewelry, etc. When I buy a chair I consider that money to be gone and the chair to be worth nothing. Update this at least once a year although I do mine monthly (using Quicken).
Next you need to know your income and expenses. Income includes salary, interest earned, etc. Expenses include taxes, utilities, food, clothing, rent, interest on mortgage, etc. I recommend doing that monthly.
I use Quicken to track my finances. If you already have a PC I recommend spending $30 for that but I would not recommend buying a PC to do that if money is already tight. Just track it on paper.
In business we say “you can’t manage what you can’t measure”. So start by tracking where you stand and how taht is changing month by month.
It’s amazing how much behavior changes sometimes just because it is being recorded. Being honest with yourself (and your family) about where you stand and where you are headed goes a long way toward helping you make the (sometimes tough) decisions that it takes to make a better financial future for yourself.

Just only spend money on necessary things, try not to use credit cards, open a savings account, etc. Also, try organizing your finances with a pc program, there are many out there.

set up a budget based on what you make (after 401k or IRA contributions) &, what you need for shelter, utilities, food and transportation. Look at what is left over and decide what you are willing to cut in entertainment, going out to eat, and clothing. What is left? Take it (along with whatever savings you have) and set up a savings/investment fund. Have that monthly amount sent directly to the fund. Find a book or a counselor to show you how to invest it.