Budgeting Ideas from Pinterest.

After my blogpost yesterday I got curious about budgeting ideas that might be on pinterest. I'm not much of a pinterest user myself, but I like to dabble here and there. I found a few useful article with ideas I liked. Here's a few of my favorites:

via quirky momma (this was my fav article):

- We do the “packets” budgeting system. All spending money we take out at the beginning of each month. We then pay for everything with that cash, when it is gone there is no more till the next month. This budgeting method works for us, find one that works for you!

Cash is king in most budgets. Any of you tried this method to keep yourself from overspending on clothes, entertainment, or some of the other tough catagories?

- Surround yourself with “frugal-minded” folk. If you don’t have any friends who are willing to make a frugal journey with you try looking online, Frugal Village is a great network, and One Income Dollar and the Prudent Housewife are both great inspirational blogs. We found it is easier to save when you are not surrounded by spend-happy folks.

My closest friends are budgeters (some because I make them be) and this really does work! We do more redboxing, cooking in, groupon dining, etc because were all trying to be smart with our money. The best part is then no one feels like they have to bow out because of funds - were all fund concious and we help each other out!

- Meal plan and coordinate so that leftovers can be utilized fully, yet keeping variety. (Ex: Tacos day one, use left over taco meat day 2 for stuffed peppers)

I love doing this. I plan my meals at end of a week, grocery shop over the weekend, and cook on Sundays usually for my lunches and dinners for the whole week. This would be slightly more complicated if I was feeding 3-4 people, but it works great for us singles or just marrieds. Packing my lunch to take to work has saved me TONS.

Also from Pinterest and worth reading is this ladies post.

If you're thinking about going to a cash system in 2012 there are some precious make-your-own-cash-envelop craftings happening there as well.

As for me, I'm not sold out on being 100% cash...BUT I will say, using cash in my trouble areas (clothing, food, entertainment, travel) really helps me keep to what I say I'm going to spend. Budget reasonably...you know you're not going to spend only 20 bucks in 6 months on clothes...we realistic. But determine what's appropriate and stick with it.

Here's to a budget friendly 2012 with lots of saving in store for me.

Love,
B