Change is Hard

I tend to be somewhat stubborn and set in my ways at times. I've learned the hard way on many lessons in my life. Monetary issues seem to be the hardest lesson learned. I'm 27 years old and still trying to figure out how to budget and live by it... as well as save and one day invest.

Without struggle, there cannot be personal improvement. That is why I chose to write a budgeting blog. It's not to reveal all the answers for budgeting problems, but to keep a diary of my struggle to change, to be a good steward of my family's money in hopes that it may help others who are struggling to change as well.

My husband and I have been at both ends of the spectrum - making so little money that it was nearly impossible to eat at times and making so much money we didn't know what to do with it all, so we spent it. Now here we are, nestled somewhere in the middle range of those two with an added family member to feed. After the birth of our daughter, I decided to stay at home with her for a little while, which brought us down to a single income.

We're not in bad shape; however, my spending habits are still in D.I.N.K. (double-income, no kids) mode. Hence the budgeting blog. I've never been able to keep a budget, even when we were making nothing. But I have a little more motivation now. Retirement is becoming more of a reality as well as having to provide for my child for the next 18 years, minimum.

I also have some other goals in mind. I'd like to save for my little girl's (Sophie's) college and be able to pay off all of our debt; which includes student loans, a car and a motorcycle, in the next three years. I want to be able to teach Sophie how to live financially as well as physically, spiritually and emotionally. The most effective way to do that is to model the behavior. Plus I would feel like a huge hypocrite if I didn't try my best to live the life in a way that encourages her to choose the right path.

I realize that I'm human and I'll make mistakes... I already have. But I'll use those mistakes as learning tools. Just don't expect me to not freak out for a minute or so when I do make a mistake.

So concludes my first budget post. Coming soon, my elementary principles for improving my spending habits and sticking to my budget - a great idea I stole from a friend.