I wish I had solutions and advice to provide. But, I am with you in the battle to budgeting wisely. I don't even know where to begin budgeting. In my mind I know what I want and need to do to get myself more financially stable, but I don't know where to start. My mind is busy running a mile a minute thinking of what I need to do, that I can't even focus on the first step. I want to get to the "finish" line so fast that I forget about the journey to get there and that it will take time. I hope there are some out there who can assist us, who have struggled with the same issue and provide tips on how to start. I as well question if a bank can block me from using my debit card so therefore I won't use it so much and get deeper in debt. But, that is not going to solve my problem. I have to learn to control myself and learn to budget on my own. I can't expect others to do the work for me. Take care, and let's see if anyone can lead us to the first step.

Quote

I too struggle with my finances, and especially with impulsive purchases. I have no sure-fire solution, but I do get a lot of help and support from my non-ADD boyfriend. He keeps me on track by having me plan out my budget each month in an Excel spreadsheet. I also use the bill reminder and scheduled payment options in Quicken 2009 to make sure I don't forget any monthly expenses, esp. ones I pay online or have automatic payments set up with. I still have trouble though sticking with my budgeted spending amount. I seem to always find ways to overspend. Debit cards are definitely an ADDer's worst enemy! So, starting this week, I'm going to leave my debit card at home and keep only cash in my wallet. We'll see how it goes! :-)

Quote

I wish I had a boyfriend like that! I believe a lot of the people who help us out there do not know how to help us with this...I've been to 2 different psychologists who didn't even want to look at how I budget my money, much less talk about it. It may seem like common sense to them, but if balancing your check book is an issue, like it is for me, then I don't understand why it can't be an issue that more psychologists have the ability to help us with. I really don't know who to go to to get help with those basics, at all.

Quote

I have found two things that help. Definitely carry cash. Instead of your debit card - carry one credit card. I pay all of my bills (using MSN) and then I see how much I have left over. I take out cash for my "allowance" and I carry a credit card that only has $100 available on it. This way if I have an emergency - car parking (I have alot of doctors appts right now) or something along that line I can use the cash but I use the credit card for surprise trips to get milk or bread or gas for the car. When I hit my credit card limit I can't charge anymore - this limits my overdraft fees which used to be a hundred or so a month - no kidding.

Quote

I am not in charge of my household's financing for this very reason. Not only do I spend too much, but I always had difficulty getting bills paid on time - at least consistently. I know a few business owners that have similar problems sitting down to address their finances.

The small business owners that succeed despite this problem have someone else they trust do their books. They have accepted (knowingly or not) that they are not good at keeping books. Is there any way you can get someone to help you - even if you have to pay them?

Knowing I had this problem was my first step. Accepting help was the second. If you can't find/afford help, there may be some software tools (reminders & accounting) that can help.

It may sound silly, but if you paid as many late fees and bank fees as I did, it might not seem so expensive and it might allow you to feel better and allow you to focus your energies where you excel - like the business people above. And maybe getting help for 6-months to 1-year you might find that you're able to do more of it yourself.

Quote

yatstr: you said you have a $100 credit card limit. What if you go over? Does your card company refuse all attempts to overspend your limit? The fees for overspending a credit card limit can be as bad as a banks overdraft fees and worse? How do you deal with this?

Quote

If I really want something, I figure out someway I am going to get it. I don't use credit cards anymore ; and I have only a debit card. I will set money on the side in a account that I have to physically go and get the money out. If I go over my account I pay up as soon as I know about it. I am trying very hard right now to learn the financial language so I am one of the 10% who makes 90% of the money and I have a cash flow instead having unseen money (due to the debit card) going out. I have realized that the banks lend us money and use our saving and then charge us for it etc. I am making it my mission to teach my daughter about finances not just going blindly into stocks etc and trying to to go for capital gains because when it crashes It will be worth nothing. Budgeting is tough because everything has been going steadly up without Us really be aware of it . I am not organized enough to keep a paper trail of my spending such as I have spent 10 for lunch , 20 for gas etc. I would limit my credit cards and if I could live without them that is proably the first way I would try to get my budget under control. If you use cash or debit you can only spend what you have on the card ; and I would not get a credit limit on it; however have another account for bills or checks . Just rememeber if you want something figure away to get it.

Quote