I was recently talking to a friend of mine who is a single mom with a very cute and active 5 yr.  She was telling me that she was having a hard time keeping herself organized. I showed her my binder. It has all of my bank statements, lease agreement, benefits for work, utilities, health insurance etc. I have everything divided by items that are important to me. I have my bills in a clear plastic sleeve for the month and an envelope for all of my receipts (if the shoes don’t fit you won’t have to search for it). I added to do list for the month financially or otherwise. Oh don’t think that I’m some organized fen, I just realized what I need to do to keep myself organized (and out of trouble). I also write them on the calendar that is right under my bills so I don’t miss a bill dates.  To make sure that I actually put them away, as soon as I get my mail I pull out the junk mail and the extra envelopes and just keep the statements. Since I pay most of my bills online I take the extra envelopes and use them for coupons, receipts, paycheck stubs.

It helps me stay on top of things maybe it could help you?

First thing we need to do is look at your budget.
Cut the Fat! Trim where you can.

Start Here:
Do you really need $250 channels?
Don’t have to buy name brand grocery items.
Look for quality and quantity
Shop around for a better deal on Insurance (auto, house, life, or health).
Sell anything that you don’t use: If Old X-box that was replaced by a Wii. Sell it on EBay.
Cook at Home and Take your Lunch-Have about $2.00 in cash with you. This is enough for a soda but not enough to buy lunch.
Stop buying more stuff- Instead do more things together.
Maybe trade a Christmas gift for a trip to a place you would normally wouldn’t go.
Decoration Swap- If you are tried of your holiday Decorations swap for new ones or trade with a friend. Make a party of it!
Instead of Buying Gifts make them: Cookies, Candies, Bread, Rolls are so much better than a sweater you will never wear.
Think before you Act: Most of our purchases are impulse buys and not on our grocery list. Add it to a wish list right down the price of the item and date. Then check other places for a better price, minimum of 3.

Faith sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.
- Anonymous

Courage is a mean with regard to fear and confidence.” Aristotle