Budgeting in These Uncertain Times?

By jeni 14 November 2008 7 Comments

So I’ve been wondering…in these scary financial times, are you nervous about your future?  I have so many friends and family members that are really feeling the financial squeeze of this recession:  My sister’s salon is hurting because who wants to spend money on a haircut when their not sure if there will be enough for groceries this week?  My husband’s company is laying off hundreds of workers, some of whom are good friends.  Retail stores I’ve grown to love over the years are closing because they just are not selling enough of their goods to us.  Automakers are struggling to stay afloat in a time of rising energy costs.

Congress has bailed out the banks and now is thinking about bailing out the auto industry…who is going to bail US out?  I guess we’re on our own.

I know I have had to look at my own budget a lot lately…are you having to prioritize spending, too?  What money management system do you use?  My mom still believes in the envelope system (one envelope for each area of the budget…if there is not cash in that envelope when you go to it, you don’t make that purchase or payment).  Are you like her, or do you use software to keep track of your budget?  What topics of the financial arena are of concern to you right now?

We are interested in finding out what you want to know more about, as we prepare to update our content about money and career.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to share your thoughts!

7 Comments »

  • alaskalearner said:

    Thanks for this! Well maybe you could do a program on Money Saving - or money saving tips. I moderate a Yahoo group on freebies and coupons and money saving tips. It would help a lot. Or maybe once a month you post a money saving tip on the blog! Hope you don’t mind my suggestions!

    # 18 November 2008 at 2:19 pm
  • jeni (author) said:

    Thanks for the ideas. What kind of topics would you like to see in a program on saving money — Setting budgets? Smart shopping techniques? How to get the most out of your tax returns? Investment ideas?

    I can’t promise we’ll do them all, but we’ll definitely consider your ideas!

    # 18 November 2008 at 4:11 pm
  • Vadakin said:

    I think we have to stop using the credit card. It’s hard today, even if you have a bugdet. I take out for the bills first then use what is left. What happened to our big gas sortage and the $4.00 gas I think it is a lot of greed.

    # 21 November 2008 at 1:39 pm
  • jennieb said:

    Jeni,

    I would love to see some of the topics on money-saving covered. I think that would be a very useful tool in these turbulent financial times.

    Thank you.

    # 7 December 2008 at 1:16 pm
  • jeni (author) said:

    Which money-saving topic would be most interesting to you?

    # 8 December 2008 at 12:07 pm
  • Sunnytexan said:

    Jeni,

    Managing up comes to my mind. We can not expect our government, who can not balance their budget to bail us out on balancing ours. We need to start acting more fiscally responsible.

    We need to learn to differenciate need versus wants and perhaps have a 36 hr. (let me think about it) policy for big purchases.

    I like your mom’s envelope system. Tough at it may seem. Is it possible to ask for a software that teaches self control and self accountability? Geez if it is not too much to ask, I am raising my hand up for it!!

    Thanks,

    # 2 January 2009 at 12:54 pm
  • Sunnytexan said:

    PS. I forgot to finish my thought on the self control and self accoutability software wish is that I need that for myself!! a constant gentle reminder of needs versus wants.

    Thanks for hearing me out.

    Sunnytexan

    # 2 January 2009 at 12:58 pm

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