Use this Cheat Sheet as a quick way to determine which budgeting method you want to try. It also has tips to help you create a successful budget you can stick to.Taking the first steps for any budgetBefore you begin to explore any budgeting method, you should know your monthly income (after taxes). Then make a list of all your fixed and variable expenses.

Shopping can often feel like a black hole on your finances. Money goes in and disappears into a vacuum. Every time you step into a grocery store or discount department store, you may feel like you’re out of control and you come out flat broke. ©06photo / Adobe StockTo prevent your shopping trips from turning into guilt trips, take time to think about how you can spend more thoughtfully.

How can you save for retirement when you need all your income to make ends meet now? What do you do when college loans come due and money is tight? How can you trim back household expenses?When the economy is down, you can still save money without sacrificing your quality of life. Every little change you make to your finances can help.

You probably hate the idea of a household budget. However, a budget is a basic and important money-management tool for getting out — and staying out — of debt. So, if you’re serious about improving the state of your finances and avoiding future problems, you need to lose your antibudget bias. ©Peopleimages.

Money is something that touches most aspects of your life. You can’t avoid money — just like you can’t avoid food. Making bad decisions about your food intake can ruin your physical health, just as making poor money decisions can devastate your fiscal health. Fortunately, the human body has the ability to withstand a lot more abuse than your bank account or credit report.

Does the word budget send chills up your spine? It shouldn’t. Budgets allow you to have some control over what you spend. A monthly budget can help you to decide how to spend your money, plan for your future, pay off existing debt, and save a few pennies each month by reducing wasteful and impulsive purchases.

You don’t have to sweat out the dog days of summer, even when cutting back on your awesome, home-cooling air conditioning to save money. You can stay cool, even when it’s hot outside. ©Shutterstock/PR Image Factory Add insulation to your home. First insulate your attic floor, and then when time and money allow, add insulation to your basement, exterior walls, floors, and crawl spaces (in that order).