Dear Dave,
Do you have any tips for how single people can stay on track with their finances?
Deb
Dear Deb,
The first thing I’d suggest is the same advice I give to married couples, and that is to spend less than you make, and live on a written, monthly budget. Sit down at the end of each month and write down — on paper — all your expenses and income for the upcoming month. Give every dollar a job, then spend everything on paper before the month begins.
When you think about it, budgeting isn’t that difficult. All it takes is a little time and a few basic math skills. Some expenses, like your mortgage payment or rent, will be the same. If you have a car payment, it should remain constant, as well. Things like utilities and groceries may fluctuate a little based on the time of year, but you can formulate pretty accurate estimates by looking at past months.
Another thing I would recommend is finding a mature, trustworthy friend or family member to act as an accountability partner. This person should also be good with money, and your relationship should be strong enough that they’re not afraid to call you out if you start behaving irresponsibly with your cash.
Sit down, just the two of you, once a month and talk about your finances. You can even go over your income and budget line by line if it helps. The point in this scenario is to get support from someone who cares about you, and is willing to be there – and help hold you accountable – for the financial decisions you’re making.
—Dave