Interested in using an Envelope System for managing your cash? Check out this step by step tutorial.

Duration : 0:3:52

Ken Boyd, owner of St. Louis Test Preparation (www.stltest.net) presents part seven of his course on Understanding Cost Accounting. Boyd points out that students can have success with Cost Accounting concepts by making connections to actual examples from business. As a former CPA, College Accounting professor and Auditor, Ken has a wealth of experience to bring to the subject.

Duration : 0:6:6

Post your response to the following questions: How are budgeting systems used to weigh the efficiency and effectiveness of a health and human service agency? Why is this important

You figure out the efficiency by looking at a program’s total budget and then dividing it by the number of people who will participate in the program. (Unit cost).
The effectiveness is determined by designing program outcomes. Initially you measure your outcomes against other similar programs, then you develop a baseline and begin to measure against yourself. For example, if your program provides tutoring, you would want to measure how many students achieved a passing grade, how many were promoted, how many had completed homework, etc. You convert this to a % and try to achieve at least a 50% success rate. The next year try for 60% and so on. Then determine what the program costs per student and try to lower your unit cost each year.

I’m one of those people who does the impulse buying and I don’t realize just how much money I’ve spent until it’s done and over with. I really need tips on how to budget and save my money before I completely lose control of the situation.

Tips:

1- Avoid using credit cards. Credit cards make it too easy to spend what you don’t have.

2- If you must use a credit card, only buy items for which you know you already have the money for.

3- Make a list of your fix expenses for a month (rent, phone, electricity, heating, etc.). Then, compare that to your income for the month (salary, tips, investment income). If you make less money than your fixed (regular) expenses, then you must cut back on fixed expenses (e.g. get a smaller apartment or a roommate, a cheaper phone plan, etc.). Also, you could get a second job earn more income. If you make more money than your fixed expenses, after including food and a minimum for clothes and transportation, then you have what is called discretionary income, that is the remainder of your income after deducting all of the above.

3- Limit yourself to a certain amount of cash a week, depending on your discretionary income. For example, if you make $500 a week, and you deduct your fixed expenses (1/4 of rent, 1/4 of utilities, 1/4 monthly transit pass, etc.) and determine that you have $100 left, then put that amount in an envelope in your bedroom. Take out half at the beginning of the week and put it in your wallet. This way, you will force yourself to live within the cash in your wallet, but still have some left over if you spend it too fast. This discipline forces you to make choices when your out (not ordering wine at a restaurant, not buying those expensive shoes, etc.)

4- If you occasionally need to make a large purchase, deduct it from your weekly envelope and put it in a second envelope. Don’t make the purchase until you have most of the money saved up. In this example, say you wanted a $199 iPod, you would take out say $20 a week (plus found money like birthday cash, extra tips, etc.) and put it in the second envelope until you had enough money to buy it (at most 10 weeks).

5- You also need to build up savings for a rainy day (new bed, vacation, retirement, etc.). This must come out of your discretionary income. So, if you have $100 extra a week, take $20 or so and put it into a savings account. The Rule of Thumb is to pay yourself first (i.e. save) between 5% and 10% of your Gross Income (or salary before taxes).

6- To discipline your expenses. Avoid shopping unless you have the money. When you don’t go to stores, you can’t get tempted. If you must go ‘see what’s out there’, leave your credit and ATM cards at home. Should you find something that you really like or think you need, you could always return another day. At least you’ll have 24 hours to think about it.

7- Try to figure out why you ‘impulse buy’. Is it because you spend to much time shopping? Is it because you’re bored? Are you unhappy with some aspect of your life (job, relationship, etc.)? Then you might want to substitute shopping with other activities, such as sports, outings with friends, a new hobby, a course at school, or in activities to meet new people. Consult the newspaper listings for community events and inexpensive or free activities (open museum days, public pool, bowling, biking, tours of your home town, etc.). If you find that you are depressed, consult a therapist to get to the source of your unhappiness, if you think this applies to you.

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Duration : 0:5:38

Professional budget advice you can’t miss! Learn how to use the envelope system to manage a budget for personal finances in this free online video tutorial.

Expert: Alfred Loughmiller
Bio: Alfred Loughmiller is a Multimedia Communications major from Utah Valley State University. He worked a number of years in advertising and television production.
Filmmaker: Danny Loughmiller

Duration : 0:2:7

An equity annuity index allows someone to participate in the stock market. Participate in the stock market by using an equity index annuity with tips from a registered financial consultant in this free financial planning video.

Expert: Patrick Munro
Contact: www.northstarnavigator.com
Bio: Patrick Munro is a registered financial consultant (RFC) with outstanding sales volume of progressive financial products and solutions to the senior and boomer marketplace.
Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Duration : 0:1:15

Learn how to successfully plan for your future. Transfer your IRA,401K,403B and other Qualified Plans into a plan that you have upside returns without downside losses. Roth Conversion, go Tax to Tax Free,pay Tax on the Seed and not the Harvest. Become Totally Debt Free in 1/3 to 1/2 the time without changing your lifestyle. Mortgage Management, make sure you have the right one for you. Life Insurance and Annuities,what kind should you have. Career Opportunities www.wallstmgmt.com

Duration : 0:5:25

The IRS requires proper records like a receipt, canceled check or investment statement for all cash donations under 250 dollars. Avoid an brutal IRS tax audit with proper book donation bookkeeping with tips from a financial planner in free personal-finance video.

Expert: Julie Asti, CFP
Bio: Julie Asti works as a financial planner for Asti Financial.
Filmmaker: Bing Hu

Duration : 0:2:56