Paper or Plastic?

My husband and I use only cash. We start with a certain amount, and when it’s gone, it’s gone. Credit cards are for emergencies and vacations only.
Dyann Wenckus
Jacksonville, Arkansas

The most important financial advice I ever got from my parents was “Pay yourself first.” That means figuring out a manageable portion of the paycheck that can go into savings first, every time. If it is a reasonable amount, it is not missed.
Diane Smith
Tiffin, Ohio

We use one credit card for just about every purchase and record it in our checkbook. This controls credit-card spending and our cash flow in one step. And there’s an added bonus: airline miles.
Laurie Remick
Snoqualmie, Washington

At the beginning of the year, my husband and I determined where all our money would be going and made envelopes for all of the spending categories (groceries, car insurance, gifts, etc.), as well as how much each category would be allotted in each pay period. When we get paid, we withdraw that amount from the ATM and put cash in each envelope. Then, after all the grocery money is spent for the month, for example, we live on what is in the pantry and the fridge. As new expenses arise, we add new envelopes and start designating funds. This has allowed us to see exactly where our money goes and keeps us from spending unnecessarily. As a result, we are able to live on my husband’s income and save mine.
Carrie Bennett
Kernersville, North Carolina

I consider the amount of money that I budget in each category to be an allotment rather than a restriction. It’s about what I can spend rather than what I can only spend.
Linda Feltheim
Tucson, Arizona

In this day and age, use of debit and ATM cards makes it all too easy to buy and swipe, so I write checks. I’m more likely to put things back if I have to write a check for them. Sometimes the old method has its advantages.
Jan Overton
Flower Mound, Texas

My husband and I keep a spreadsheet on our computer of all the categories we spend money on monthly: food, gas, entertainment, etc. Every day we bring home our receipts, subtract what we’ve spent, and see what’s left of our budget to work with.
Tracy Rader
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Live a Little

I am in graduate school and my husband works for a nonprofit, so money is tight. But one thing I have learned is that the occasional meal out, book, sweater, or movie keeps us motivated to stick to our budget. We often use these expenditures to celebrate things — such as my husband’s new job, a bill paid off, or my school scholarship.
Sarah Jaekley
Kansas City, Missouri

Let’s face it: Being on a budget is no fun, especially with a family. To avoid getting discouraged, you need to make your own fun. Be creative and plan activities for your family, such as game night with homemade snacks, movie night in your pj’s with a blanket and a big bowl of popcorn, a picnic in the park, or a potluck dinner with other families.
Sandy Trageser
San Jose, California

My budget secret is self-awareness. I know my three largest areas of weakness — chocolate, tea, and my Internet service provider — and I allow myself those indulgences without limitations. For everything else (and I mean everything), I comparison-shop before I buy, and I sleep on the decision if it’s not a typical monthly expenditure.
Laurie Cole
Austin, Texas

Sticking to a budget always seems to frazzle my patience, so I incorporate more yoga, meditation, and relaxation into my daily routine. Although it is sometimes hard to find the time, I am able to concentrate on the parts of life that I most value and that don’t require thinking about money, such as spending time with my husband and my cat and keeping in touch with other family members. All that it takes is a simple reminder to breathe and enjoy what you have been given. And you can do that anywhere.
Abby Murray
Eagle River, Alaska

The most important thing I’ve found with my budget is to be forgiving of myself if I “fall off my plan.” When I used to make my budget too strict, I had lots of trouble with overspending. Now I include some flexibility and lots of compassion, and problems are rare.
Connie Hill
Tigard, Oregon