Monday Musings; Your Budget Doesn't Balance

I'm tired of hearing "our budget doesn't balance". Here's why: I don't see how identifying that your budget doesn't balance absolves you from dealing with it. And that's what I see - people I talk to say that the last time that they sat down to do a budget, it didn't balance and so they gave up. Gave up on what? Math? If you are borrowing to make ends meet - even occasionally - your financial hair is on fire! Here's my challenge: for a pay period or better yet, a month - don't borrow money. Stuff cash in marked envelopes and when the envelopes are empty, don't borrow. You'll refine your budget and figure out where your boat is leaking. Be encouraged; it takes a while for your budget to become a well-oiled machine - with work and discipline, you'll get there! You have to happen to your money; otherwise, you'll wonder what happened to it.