Larry Winget on Budgeting

**babymakes5** · 07-14-2007, 04:44 PM

I haven't heard any mention of Larry on here, but I am a big fan, his show on A&E, "Big Spender" is part of the reason we have decided to change our own spending habits. I love his blog on budgeting.

I am getting a lot of emails and comments about budgeting. I say it is simple and some of you say it isn’t. Sorry, it is. First, write down how much you make after taxes monthly. Then write down every penny you owe monthly ….I mean ALL of it. If your expenses are higher than your income, you have a problem. So do this. Write down the essentials. Shopping isn’t an essential. Shelter, food and bills. Those are essential. Shelter is your rent or mortgage plus utilities. Food should not run more than $50 per person per week. Bills means any money you have already spent and owe. (Credit cards, student loans, insurance, etc.) Subtract the amounts that cover those 3 areas from your income and if there is any money left over, you get to decide how to spend it. I suggest you save a good portion of it in case of emergency…..trust me, there will be emergencies. And then decide what you want to spend your money on.

This is a short version. No time for the full explanation on budgeting today. But know this: it is simple. Don’t let “numbers” scare you away from doing it. Just sit down, suck it up and figure it out. Then stick to it. Don’t spend more than you make. That is my NUMBER ONE thing: spend less than you earn. If you do that, you can get out of debt and more.

For those who want more from me about money, I have a new book which will be coming out in December that covers all of this and more. Keep checking back for an announcement about the book.

**mikandmari** · 07-14-2007, 05:09 PM

This sounds really cool! I've never heard of the guy, but is this show on at any other time than 11:30 a.m on Saturdays? I'm always into something at this time, I wonder if they ever rerun the show in the evening? I'd love to watch it.

I enjoy this stuff because it reinforces what I believe about American culture (which I was once a part of until 'facing the facts'

) and it's very motivating.

Have you read any of his books?

**babymakes5** · 07-14-2007, 05:30 PM

Yes, that is the show. I don't know if they ever broadcast it at another time. Dh and I record it every week and watch it, it helps keep us in check.

Haven't read any of his books yet, but I am going to see if we have any at our public library.

**nancycg56** · 07-14-2007, 05:34 PM

I LOVE Larry! I love his attitude and yes, I find budgeting really is that simple

**thrifty gal** · 07-14-2007, 05:40 PM

Never heard of him, but sounds interesting!

**claimsgirl66** · 07-15-2007, 11:18 AM

I love his show. They moved it to the Saturday am slot, which I kept forgetting about. I saw him on a CNBC show as well, he was a panelist. He tells it like it is , very refreshing!

**frugalwanttobe** · 07-15-2007, 11:31 AM

I absolutely love him and his show. I TIVO it. If anyone comes in my room when I am watching it I pause the show because I do not want to miss a thing.

**Jenna** · 07-15-2007, 11:56 AM

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check it out.

**latierra84** · 07-30-2007, 04:38 PM

im going to have to add him to my tivo

**babymakes5** · 07-30-2007, 05:04 PM

A new season just started on the 28th of July.

**Jskell911** · 07-30-2007, 05:22 PM

We don't get A & E. Will it be on their website do you think????

**Spark** · 07-31-2007, 02:36 PM

There are clips on the website

http://www.aetv.com/bigspender/index.jsp

I don't know about entire episodes.

**Jskell911** · 07-31-2007, 05:54 PM

Thanks I'm going to check it out!

**Jilse** · 07-31-2007, 05:59 PM

Thanks for mentioning the show. I just added it to my DVR so I can watch it. Anything that keeps me focused on paying off debt and living frugal is something I need to see.