Reducing Expenses
Strategies to Reduce Spending
Expense Reduction Worksheet
Family Communication
Managing in Tough Times Booklet (Adobe PDF format)

Debt Management
 

Safe Places for Your Emergency Fund

Cash flow management puts you in control! This is critical when income is limited.

Web site Ver 2.0

Managing in Tough Economic Times: First Steps

Articulate Slide Show - Who Gets Paid First

Managing in Tough Economic Times: Credit Report and Credit Scores

3 Steps to Financial Control
In this uncertain world there are many thing we can not control - the weather, the possibility of more lay offs, our mortality. But we can try to control how we spend money. Try these 3 steps:

1. Track Expenses.
Track expenses on items that do not comes as a bill, including: eating out, groceries, gasoline, convenience store purchases, vending machine purchases, entertainment, etc.

Track expenses for a week and see if you find that your money is going for non-priority items. Save receipts for everything and if you don't get a receipt, make one or write down what you spent on the worksheet.

Many people are amazed to find how much money is being spent on things that don't fit with their financial goals.

Expense Tracking Worksheet (PDF File)

2. Analyze Those Expenses.
After one week, take a look. How much did you spend? Can you reduce your spending in some areas? Small Savings Add Up Chart

Benefits of Spending Less Calculator

Go to the section on Reducing Expenses for ideas on how to cut back

• Net Income
• Seasonal Expenses
• Living Expenses – groceries, gas, personal care, entertainment, etc
• Utilities
• Housing Expenses
• Transportation Expenses
• Communication- telephone, cable, internet, etc,
• Debts – loans, mortgage, credit card debts

• Savings

Getting Started:
1.Calculate your net income.
2.Calculate your fixed expenses (expenses that usually stay the same) such as rent/mortgage, car payment.
3.Calculate your variable expenses (things that can change monthly or that are easier to control)- such as electricity, groceries, gasoline, etc.
4. Try to include money for savings goals.
5. Include amounts to be set aside for season goal

Excel Budget Sheet
Budget Sheet Template with Examples PDF File for Printing
Budget Calculator
How Much Should We Spend? (PDF File)

Money Matters
Take Control of Your Finances

Track Expenses

Develop a plan that fits your situation