Budgeting-Great Advice On Budgeting Worksheets, Personal Budgeting, And Budgeting Tips

Ishmael asked:


I just bought my first car; I own it free and clear. I am budgeting $400 a month for it. This includes insurance, gas, tune-ups, oil changes, and just-in-case money. Is this enough, or do I need more?
Except for 3 days, I will be driving mostly locally. Otherwise, I will drive approx. 30 miles round trip for those 3 days.

Shaina Hotalen

Cross asked:


I’ve put in new battery and tried to start it.It will turn over but won’t run.I’m not a mechanic and working on small budget .where should I begin and what should I do?any advice would be appreciated,my Z is my baby.

Juliet Belidor

Pixie Dust asked:


I bought a used washer & dryer from the classifieds. (Yes I know now… big mistake)
When the washer goes through the spin cycle it leaks somewhere, about a gallon or two of water if it is a large load. I have checked all the hoses and can’t find the source…

Then there is the gas dryer, which dries well enough and fast as long as the vent hose is not connected. This however makes the laundry room like a lint-filled sauna. But when we reattach the hose it’s like there is not enough air flow and things don’t get dry unless we run two cycles. We have tried a couple of different hoses, cleaned the lint accumulation from inside the dryer and checked the wall to make sure the vent to the outside is open. Still stumped!
It is not in the budget to buy a new set nor to call a repair man. I am supporting a family of 4 on just my income so every penny counts. But I am not afraid to get my hands dirty and take things apart. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated

Ricardo Swett

Tamiera H asked:


Hi i recently purchased a stackable washer and dryer and the owner explained it woud be okay for my small apartment. He told me that the unit was only used for a few years but after further research…it’s been around for 20…anyway it has a three prong cord, made by whirlpool, electric, 2 long hoses, a dryer vent, and a small black scrunchy thing?…(it looks like water is suppose to run out of it). As you can see I am clueless. Please offer any advice…I’m on a budget I can take pics please offer an email address. Thanks in advance
The three prong is very large. I would say I have a problem. I’ve been bamboozled…if that’s the right word…sighhh

Everyone offered great advice. Thanks so much…I guess making dinner won’t get me out of this one…Maybe a couple of dates…lol

Telma Degrazio

Louisville asked:


My budget is limited so any advice would help.

Octavia Zelkind

Mlle asked:


My husband and I are trying to establish and keep a reasonable budget each month and we are having a difficult time with our food budget.

We are very particular about the things we eat- we like to make homemade dishes and often use organic produce and fruit when available over conventional (increasing the cost of groceries to some extent). We rarely eat out. We do like to feed our friends a few times a month and that seems to be the most unpredictable- and sometimes the most expensive.

What is a reasonable food budget for us and our 4 year old? Is it a percentage of some other figure? Is it the average of a few months of recipets?

Maximo Froncillo