has anyone used

**happymommy** · 06-01-2008, 05:49 PM

PearBudget online? If so how do you like it? Thanks!

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-01-2008, 06:03 PM

I have not... but I will look into it. Just to see what it is.

I'll report back.

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-01-2008, 06:30 PM

Reporting back.

You have to pay for it.

A budget is a piece of paper with a list of your expenses and income.

If you want it monthly... just make a grid monthly. You could use graft paper, a ledger book, or go onto your computer under your 'microsoft money' program and use the budget program there.

If you don't have Microsoft money program that came with your computer, then look into the your Microsoft Word program usually has templates in there so that you can create a budget... or gift list, or shopping list, or resume.. things like that.

But in all honesty. I have all of the above programs and the BEST is the paper and pencil version.
It was hard core and to the bone. There was no getting around it. I entered in a charge. I had to think about that purchase, bill, etc. it made it concrete. I knew at that time where I stood, financially.

Granted... it will require a calculator and some ability to organize your budget into groups so you can keep track of them. (if you need help there - I can peek into my MS budget program and tell you what's there as a default- then you can pick out what you like)

If you're real savvy, you can create your own budget sheet on Microsoft Excel- which btw is what you'd be getting from the company. I realize it's only $3/m and it soesn't seem like much.- but it adds up.

JMHO.
Save the $3/m and put the first $3 toward a ledger book.

**Drgnfly423** · 06-01-2008, 09:27 PM

I would just google "budget spreadsheet" there are tons that come up for free. That is how I pieced mine together. It helped give me ideas for categories and how to lay it out, too.