Benefits of Budgeting by the Year, Not Month

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Great letter DH! AND you brought it back around to the original subject of budgeting! Rarely do I see a comment so well written - it's an article all on its own. A pleasure to read you! Thank you for information I did not know. On subject, I have found that we use both together: yearly, so not to lose track of the occassional bumps in spending, and monthly, for cash flow.

DBP of ME 7:07AM May 24, 2010

uglappiou!

CL of LA 3:07PM May 03, 2010

Has this discussion seriously been brought down to this? Tithing is a way of budgeting because the Lord won't let tithers suffer? What a crock. If I gave up 10% of my income to some church how is that helping my budget? I've already told my fiancée that there is no way I will be giving any of my income to the church. The Vatican is the richest country in the world, let them sort it out.
And now for an attempt to steer the conversation back to the actual article. I've never thought to budget yearly, it actually makes sense. I'm always finding myself wondering what happened to my monthly budget. I'll be trying this tonight.

Justin of PA 12:47PM May 03, 2010

I think an annual budget is great way to look at your finances, but even greater if you monitor your monthly expenses as well! I like the idea of having a financial map for all 12 months because it allows you to keep specific targets in mind and not be caught off guard with the "Oh my gosh it's only a month until Christmas: everyone likes homemade gifts better anyway, right?" moments. Since my temperature has adjusted to "new economic climate" I am very stern about my monthly budget. (I am amazed at how much money I used to waste on food and gas alone! It's amazing what a book of recipes and planning, for example, can do to keep my heart rate from increasing when I check my balance online). So, I believe that forecasting annual expenses, then actively monitoring them is a bullet proof combination. I've grown to run my life like a business. I'm looking forward to forecasting my annual expenses AND analyzing my bank account monthly in the name of being in more control, reducing my stress and most of all- enjoying life a little more!

Jessica of PA 12:42PM May 03, 2010

What is it to gain the whole world if we loose our soul? giving 10% for the upkeep of his house it is important regardless of how it is used. You are giving it for something good not to buy you a ticket to heaven. We must help one another while we are in this world!

Consuelo of FL 12:02PM May 03, 2010

God gave you everything you have, including the breath you take everyday. Your tithe is the 10% that you owe God for the upkeep of his house (the Church). Take notice if you don't tithe you will be spending the 10% anyway. Your car may break down, something will break in the house, you will have to take off work because someone is sick, you will lose the money, someone may steal it from you, etc. You will give up your 10% one way or another.

lashawna of NV 11:26AM May 03, 2010

I think it is better to budget by the month. Yes, it shows that a lot of people are less accurate by budgeting by the month but I think that is better than they year. This is because you become more aware of your overspending. You are able to question why weren't you able to meet that budget. On the other hand, budgeting by the year could just be a way of making you feel good that your on the budget and not that you are really saving and being more efficient.

Christian 8:57AM May 01, 2010

Who cares about tithing? This story was about budgeting for the year. If you want to be a good person, be a good person, not a sub-par human being who thinks they'll go to heaven by buying their way out of it with donations to the church.

Horace of IA 6:56AM May 01, 2010

Your tithe can be your time, money, etc., Whatever you have God gave it to you and giving back 10% should at all times be done with great joy. No Deposit, No Return. If a person have been doing the will of God and they do not see no fruit then something the Lord told them to do have not been done. They have do go back and ask God to bring it back around. We must be willing to do what God tell us. If we do not we will miss out on the blessing he has for us. We as christian can delay our own blessings.

Toriana of NC 7:29PM April 30, 2010