Getting a hold of money situation...

With the new year I want to get a real handle on our debt and finances. Does anyone have a good book recommendation for saving and spending wisely?

Re: Getting a hold of money situation...

I don't have a book rec per se, but I know just keeping track of what kinds of things you spend $$$ on over a month or two period can be very eye opening.

I have done it and found that often I go food shopping once a week just for the sake of it........not that we need anything else besides milk and bread, and some fresh produce on occasion. Food shopping easily adds up to hundreds a month.

I also recommend just avoiding places like Target and Trader Joe's altogether if you are trying to save money.

I know a few of the ladies on here like the Dave Ramsey guy. I think he is the one known for creating ways to pay off debt.

Re: Getting a hold of money situation...

If you are spending on credit cards look over the bills for the past year or so and then think about what things you did pay cash for. We looked at both debit and credit bills & cash receipts about 2-3 years ago and we realized that my husband's lunches in the city were adding up and so was a weekly family trip, that we did not need, to Dunkin Donuts. We got healthier and saved money after that. We really thought that the bigger expenses were worse but we found that we were already good about not going crazy on high ticket items.

Message edited 12/12/2012 2:38:57 PM.