This week we’re going to hear from Tshanina from over at Thrifty T Treasures. So many people email every day asking about budgeting, so I was excited to see that that was what Tshanina was going to write about! I am working on a post as well so for now lets hear from a reader…take it away, Tshanina!

Here at I Heart Publix, we are always finding great deals that help us can keep our hard-earned money in our pockets.  I would like to share something that has worked for me for years.  Mind you, this isn’t a new tip but something that’s been around for a while – a budget.  I tell my money where it should go instead of it telling me where to go.
Setting Up a Budget
Many people think that being on a budget is way too complicated.  The truth is, you can make it as easy or hard as you’d like.  Some people keep their budget in a spiral notebook.  I’m one of the OCD people that keeps mine in an Excel spreadsheet.  (Actually it’s easier because it does the math for me.)
Here are some tips on where to begin when starting a budget:

  • Figure out which categories you will need in your budget (housing, electricity, food, etc.)
  • Go back through your checkbook over the last three months and see how much you’ve spent in each category.  For example, if you spent $100 on food you will need $100 in that category.
  • Take your total income for the week/month and subtract how much you’ve put in each category.  If you have more in the category side than you do in the income side you’ll need to make adjustments to make them match.

I encourage you to give a budget a try for at least three months.  You will probably have to make changes in the categories as you go but at least you know where each penny you make is going.
The Importance of An Emergency Fund
Have you ever had those days where you feel like nothing’s going right?  The car breaks down, the ice maker explodes, and the kids need money for school.  Well, you’re not alone because we’ve all been there.
I know it sounds cliché but I want to encourage you to save for a rainy day.  This doesn’t mean you have to put $100 back a week.  The truth is, most of us don’t have $100 to put back each week.  Whether you put back $5 or $50 a week, put something back.
You’ll want to put this money in a place where you know you won’t spend it.  If it’s in your checking account and you think you might spend it, put it in your savings account.  Be creative.
We all know those crazy days are going to come and we’re going to need something to fall back on. So, why not start planning for them now?

Thanks so much for agreeing to be in the spotlight today, Tshanina! 
For all of you asking me about MINT–it is fabulous and totally legit. If you are an online person you will love it–tons of features and totally user friendly!!
I hope you all like this new feature!! In order to keep it going, though, you all are going to have to volunteer to tell us all about something YOU do when you are couponing. Your post can be about almost anything to do with couponing. You can tell us about a particularly good or bad situation you’ve dealt with as a couponer, about how you got into couponing or how couponing has impacted the rest of your life, you can make a list of things every new couponer should know…just about anything, really! If you think it’s interesting and it has to do with couponing, email me contactiheartpublix@gmail.com!