6. Track Your Budget Using a Strategy That Works for You

There are a billion budgeting tools out there, from simple spreadsheets to full-on budgeting apps right down to simple pen and paper. What works for you may be different than what works for others, so think about how you learn and where your weaknesses are to decide on the best strategy for you. Maybe it's a program like Mint that tracks your spending automatically, maybe it's creating a spreadsheet, or maybe it's one of these other popular tools. If you find something isn't working for you, try something else—but make sure it isn't your motivation that's lacking, either.