| ment Tool | | | | those goals. Every journey begins with one step and |
| A carpenter uses a set of house plans to build a | | | | the first step to attaining your goals is to make a |
| house. If he didn’t the bathroom might get | | | | realistic budget that both of you can live with.A budget |
| overlooked altogether. | | | | should never be a financial starvation diet. That |
| Rocket Scientists would never begin construction on a | | | | won’t work for the long haul. Make reasonable |
| new booster rocket without a detailed set of design | | | | allocations for food, clothing, shelter, utilities and |
| specifications. Yet most of us go blindly out into the | | | | insurance and set aside a reasonable amount for |
| world without an inkling of an idea about finances and | | | | entertainment and the occasional luxury item. Savings |
| without any plan at all.Not very smart of us, is it? A | | | | should always come first before any spending.Even a |
| money plan is called a budget and it is crucial to get us | | | | small amount saved will help you reach your long term |
| to our desired financial goals.Without a plan we will drift | | | | and short term financial goals. You can find many |
| without direction and end up marooned on a distant | | | | budget forms on the internet. Just use any search |
| financial reef. If you have a spouse or a significant | | | | engine you choose and type in free budget |
| other, you should make this budget together. Sit down | | | | forms.You’ll get lots of hits. Print one out and |
| and figure out what your joint financial goals are
long | | | | work on it with your spouse or significant other. |
| term and short term.Then plan your route to get to | | | | |