Of course, these don't have to be done in any particular order!
Just pick one or two that particularly apply to your situation.

* Create your 2005 filing system. This might include new file folders, a new box to hold them or space in a filing cabinet with easy access. Mp>

* Set up a folder to collect all the important 2004 tax documents which will be arriving soon. Sure to arrive at your house are W-2s, 1099s, mortgage statements, etc.

Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.
Call Me Crazy! I love It!

Why, who wouldn't love getting paid to buy products that they use everyday?

Here's how I do it.

I purchase an item that has a rebate offer (either a store or manufacturer rebate) while it is on sale and use a coupon during purchase. That's it!
Using this formula I almost always come out ahead. When all is done, I've gotten back more than I actually paid for the item.

If youre like most people, your personal financial records are most probably kept in less than Good Accounting Practices standards. For example, stashing old ATM receipts and hanging on to a stub showing what you paid for a pack of mints two years ago (cash, of course), might be filed with your paycheck stubs, credit card statements paid and unpaid alike as well as a few tax forms, a stray paper clip and a penny. Anything from an old shoebox to a toolbox would do you for this method of personal financial tracking but you can do better than that.

Not to worry. Heres how:

Did you know that 43% of all married couples argue over money issues, making it the major reason couples fight? If you and your spouse handle money differently, now is the time to talk, establish expectations, and draw up a financial plan.

Money is a very big part of a marriage. Having enough to spend, and to do the things each wants to do, is important to both parties. When couples are not able to do that, then other issues pop up in the relationship. When husband and wife are not on the same page as far as family finances go, other difficulties inevitably arise.

Ben Stein has a book called How to Ruin Your Finances. To be honest, Im not sure an entire book is needed on the subjectthere are some fairly quick and easy ways to accomplish the task. (Before continuing, let me be clear that I do not actually recommend such activitiesThis is a reductio absurdum argument, meant to spur an opposing realization.)

#1: Buy everything, yes, everything

While 40% to 50% of us make New Years resolutions on January 1a ritual that has existed since ancient timesapproximately 60% to 80% of us have already broken them by the end of February, according to researchers.

Its still not too late, however, to reset the trajectory on your familys finances, experts note.

1. Build a Budget

If you havent already done so, create a realistic budget.

Approximately 85% of your income should be set aside for necessities like housing, food, health care and clothing, according to the professionals at VISA USA.

Many people spend their little income haphazardly without any planning and end up getting broke before month-end. They then borrow to make ends meet and end up with more problems that they fail to repay their debts promptly.

However, this is not a prudent way of managing your personal financial affairs. Planning your personal financial affairs through prioritization of needs and budgeting income and expenses is the best way to achieving success in managing your financial affairs.

Most of us, especially those of us who have debtors disease (if you have it you know what it is!), have commented or at least thought, If I could just win the lottery, or sweepstakes, everything would be better. Unfortunately, even if that big dream did come true things probably would get worse instead of better.

I think most of us have at some point in our lives. Some how we forget to feed the little piggy. And, like most neglected pets, your piggy bank will disappear if you dont feed it. A personal budget is important to create financial independence and setting goals for feeding that piggy bank should be an important part of your budget!

The most successful financial plans allow you to INVEST IN YOURSELF! It just makes good sense. A plan to build financial security should always be considered essential to any budget.

Does it feel like you have to be Sherlock Holmes to solve the mystery behind balancing your personal budget? Are you living a mysterious thriller where your realization of "financial independence and security" is a vicious repeating cycle of debt? Dont be afraid...Somehow youve ended up lost in the plastic zone.
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