Top Tips for quickly sticking with Your Family Budget

>> Start a quick family Budget with confidence

Of course, sometimes you need to compromise, and your budget needs to be flexible. But you can periodically tweak and adjust your budget and stick to it. Here are some creative and fun tips for sticking with your family budget.

Have a fresh look 

Is it too detailed?

You will find it exhausting to keep a budget with dozens of categories. 

Is it too simple?

If your budget is too general, you may have let it slide because there weren't enough details to grasp your finances and improve it further.

Does your budget include alternatives?

If your family is not creative, you may have needed help coming up with other options for the budget cutbacks. For instance, if your budget revealed that you needed to cut back on eating out and you needed an alternative plan for what you would do instead of eating out, you might have slipped up and deviated from your budget. For some people, this is natural; others need to write in alternatives.

Are you realistic about your income?

A budget may only succeed if your income section is more about goals and ideals than actuals. It is not the place to be over-optimistic. Be realistic and write actual figures.

Are you realistic about spending?

Is it that you can only live with your morning cappuccino but not include it in the budget? Include all things which are a must for you in your budget. That will give you a clear picture of the money required, and you can make an informed decision about your spending rather than derailing your entire budget.

Are there any rewards?

A budget should have some prizes - a vacation, a movie out, or a new pair of shoes. Something to keep you motivated to work out your budget.

>> 16 Budgeting tips every family needs to know

Brainstorm Fun Alternatives with your family

Having alternatives to fill the void created by cutbacks helps keep your budget. Having creative and fun options may be even more helpful. Get your family on board to brainstorm fun alternatives. Each family is different, and so are their fun ideas. Make sure you get money out of the way but have fun and bond with family simultaneously. Here are some ideas for you to get started.

• Instead of eating lunch out, pack a fun lunch Bento-style. 

• Lunch-in can be a fun picnic, indoor or outdoor.

• Staying home for dinner can be fun if it involves a cookout or barbeque. Get family members involved in your cooking. Just make sure it sounds more fun rather than a chore.

• Cutting back by getting rid of cable need not be too painful. Nowadays, high-speed internet access is generally cheaper than cable. Your family can have fun gathering around the computer for movie night online. 

• Instead of going to the movies, make your own. Have a family make-a-movie night and put on plays, puppet shows, or what-have-you. Capture the fun using your digital camera or webcam.

• Try as many DIY home projects as you can and have fun and learn at the same time. Start small and then get more adventurous.

Getting creative and customizing your budget to fit your family can go a long way toward encouraging everyone to stick with the family budget. Once everyone understands how much fun they are having, they will openly support and help you stick with your family budget.

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