There are those for whom budgeting is easy. Nothing gets past their steely reserve, and their balancing skills are sophisticated enough to put an acrobat to shame. But anyone who has ever come up short on the rent, or bought a pair of shoes only to wonder what happened to the grocery money, may consider budget a dirty word. Take heart — whether you’re a novice or a pro, these tips from Real Simple readers will keep you on track.

This Month’s Winner

Goal Oriented
I stay motivated to stick to my budget by having a long-term goal. Before every purchase, I ask myself whether what I’m buying is something that will stand between me and my goal. If so, I don’t buy it. My most recent goal was a home, so for several years I watched my spending closely. This July I finally bought my house. Now, although I often see things I could spend my money on, I’m dreaming of a trip to Florence for my mother and me.
Hilary Bulman
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hilary will receive a copy of the book Real Simple Solutions.

Shop Well

We don’t nickel-and-dime our money away. The fastest way to blow your budget is to spend cash on coffee, snacks, fast food, and impulse buys. Keep those little purchases to a minimum — you’ll be amazed at how much you save.
Kris Gerretsen
Roseburg, Oregon

The key is to factor in the “extras.” When we sit down to make a budget, it is tempting not to include things like eating out and buying gifts. But soon enough reality sets in — and your system won’t work if you don’t plan for fun.
Cathy Marvin
Tonawanda, New York

I buy classic, seasonless clothing that can be worn for years without looking dated. I also have no problem with gently used hand-me-downs, whether clothing or furniture. As a rule, I buy generic and store-brand grocery items in bulk instead of name brands, but when name brands are on sale for less, I buy those instead. Our meals are homemade, and eating out is considered a treat, not a way of life. I take care of minor home repairs and maintenance myself instead of calling a handyman. And I use the money I save to indulge in the things I really love.
Georgina Garcia
Brooklyn, New York

My husband and I budget ourselves a set allowance that we use for personal spending. We have to prioritize what we really want. Some weeks we may not spend anything so we can have more for later. We are able to save money by being disciplined. If we want to make a major purchase outside of our personal money, we clear it with each other first — that way, there are no surprises, and it makes us think twice before spending.
Connie McKinnon
Holland Landing, Ontario