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Compare Estimates to Actuals

The reality of budgeting is almost always more difficult than budget planning.  There are insidious small but repeated costs that end up adding up to a significant percentage of your budget (am I really spending that much on lunch?), and many of them are deliberately obscured from your awareness (bank fees, anyone?).  Everyone has a different style, but find one way of keeping track of the reality of your budget.

Many spreadsheet programs are good at this type of thing, but, if you can read your own writing, a piece of paper will work just as well.  There are also several online budget tools you can use, such as PayOff Live, Mint.com, and even calculator from the government.

If you haven't set up a budget yet, review our Set a Budget discussion in the "In Grace" section.  But do it.

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