1. Start by gathering every financial statement you possibly can. This includes bank statements, investment accounts, recent utility bills, and income statements. These statements will help you determine how much you should set aside for utilities and other expenses during the month. They will also help you know how much you have to spend during the month.
2. Divide your expenses into two different categories. These two categories should be fixed and variable. The fixed column should contain expenses such as rent, car payments, and other payments that will not change from month to month. The variable expense column should include thins such as gas, groceries, gifts, and other expenses that will vary from month to month.
3. Evaluate your total income vs. your total expenses. If your total expenses are greater than your total income, you will need to adjust your expenses to live within your income.
4. Review your budget monthly at the very least. This will help you stay on track and make small adjustments as needed.

1. Park in an off-airport parking lot. If you can park here, you can take the free airport shuttles to the airport. While you will still have to pay a fee, the fee is usually much better priced than the fee associated with on-airport parking lots.
2. Reserve a spot earlier. Most airports will provide discounts and coupons to people who book their flight early.
3. Book through a hotel. Often hotels offer cheaper parking if you purchase a room package.
4. Park at a friend’s house. If a friend lives close to the airport, you may be able to park at their house and take a taxi to the airport for a price that is lower than parking at the airport.

1. 1. Find bridesmaid dresses online. Many people purchase bridesmaid dresses and then resell them online. You can save by purchasing these discounted dresses that have been worn once, and then reselling them when you are done with them as well.
2. 2. Do your own makeup and hair. Makeup and hair can be very expensive to get done professionally. By doing it yourself, you will save a lot of money and you will look more like your natural self.
3. 3. If you are in charge of the bridal shower, know that it is okay to do it cheaply. You can still host a very nice party on a budget. Look online for tips in ways to do this.
4. 4. Do not be afraid to say no if you cannot afford it. The bride and groom will understand if you cannot afford to be part of the wedding party. They are spending a lot of money themselves, but they may find a way to help you out.

Instead you may want to consider using cash. When you use cash you can physically see how much you are spending and keep a check on yourself. If you run out of cash, you will not be able to spend anymore without pulling out your card. However, put a ban on the card and try to stick to cash throughout each budget period.

If you can control yourself, credit cards can be very useful. However, credit cards should be used only in emergencies. If you cannot exercise control over your use of the credit card, give it to your spouse to hold onto or chop them up. By giving it to your spouse to hold on, you will still have it if you need it, but he or she will be a check on how often you use it. It may be difficult at first, but it will be worth living within your means.

1. Devote one hour to making the budget. Do not spend longer than this on it unless it is absolutely necessary or it may become too stressful. This time should be uninterrupted.
2. Both you and your spouse should write down their top three priorities. This should be done separately with no input from the other. These priorities should not be basics such as food, as those are a given priority.
3. Talk about each of your priorities. Do no belittle the other person for their priorities. Try to understand your spouse and their spending habits. This will save you a lot of frustration and you will be able to come to an agreement.
4. Together, combine both of the lists into one list.
5. Then, design the budget to cover the basics and these priorities.
6. Commit to the plan. If you or your spouse is not completely committed to the plan, there is not use budgeting. You may not be perfect at first, but as long as you strive to reach your goal you will be on the right path.
7. Review and adjust the budget as needed.

1. Pay off debt: Get rid of many of the credit cards that you each use by paying off those with the highest interest rates first. Instead of going into debt, put off big purchases until you can pay with cash.
2. Do not quit school: Loans used to pay for school are considered to be a “good” debt. In addition, these loans are tax-deductible. With the interest rates low, these debts are worth the pay raises you will receive in the future.
3. Budget: Create a realistic budget. Discuss this with your spouse. It may take some revision over a series of months, but a good budget can make all of the difference in your financial relationship with your spouse.
4. Insurance: If you or your spouse has a lot of debt, you will want to consider getting insurance. If you or your spouse dies, the debt they are responsible for will transfer to you if you are not insured.
5. Plan for retirement: Protect your future by preparing now. Start putting some money into a savings or retirement account. It will be worth it in the future.

Begin by trying to get him or her to laugh. Make sure your spouse knows they are still appreciated and needed. Do something special to show him or her what you mean so that your words are supported by action. Make a favorite meal or spend more time together. These things will be a distraction from the negative worries and you will demonstrate that you spouse is more than an income earner to you.

At the same time it is very important to not put pressure on your spouse to find a job. You can send possible job openings their way, but do not constantly ask how the job search is going. This will only add to the pressure he or she already feels and it will undermine the rest of his or her confidence. Confidence is key to finding a job.

During this time, your spouse will need encouragement, but do not overdo it. Make it sound meaningful. Tell them what they have to offer an employer and skip over his or her weaknesses. Wait until you are asked for help in order to help, or you may become annoying to your spouse.

Be wise with finances and do your best to follow these tips.  As a result, you may come out of these hard times with a much stronger relationship.

1. Present the facts: When a spouse realizes that retirement will be awful at the rate the savings account is growing right now, it can often motivate them to start saving more.
2. Work as a team: Often only one of the couple is in charge of finances. This means the other partner does not have to worry about it and often does not know what is going on. A couple needs to share this burden and work together to come to an agreement on an appropriate budget. When both the wife and husband are aware of the finances, they are often more responsible.
3. Speak with a counselor: It is often easier for a counselor to state the hard facts in a way that the spouse actually hears than it is for the partner. This may wakeup the spender to the situation that the family is in.
4. Be patient: This is vitally important. Hold your temper and frustration back. It will take time for them to change their ways.

The first thing you will want to look for in the fine print is hidden fees and extras. You do not want to have to pay an extra fee because you did not know you were supposed to fill up the gas tank before you returned it.

The second thing you will want to try to do is rent a car from someone other than the airport. Often there are extra airport fees and higher rates. It may be more convenient to rent from the airport, but you will pay for the convenience.

The third thing you will want to do is avoid the insurance the rental car company offers. They make a lot of money on this service, so they will try to pressure you into it, but it is usually unnecessary. Most normal auto insurance providers will cover you for the rental as well as your normal car, but you may want to check to make sure.

While you should earn money, this earning should not interfere with school work. The quality of your school work will also determine whether or not you can get into the college of your choice.

After you get your first paycheck, it will be tempting to spend it all. It is okay to spend some, but most of it should be saved. You will thank yourself later.