Ever get to the end of the month, realize you have about $100 (or less) in your bank account and wonder what in the world you spent all that money on? You need a budget. Living under tight financial circumstances, though when you feel lucky, you cross your fingers and splurge $2 on lottery tickets? You also need a budget.

The basic premise is this: you want to save more than you spend. Creating a budget for yourself (and your family, if that's the case) helps you prioritize, and more importantly, document what you spend your money on.

Yes, you eat out too much. But how much do you actually spend eating out? That's the real issue.

To get started, keep a notebook with you and list all the things you spend money on over a 2-week period. Compare that list with the bills you are also responsible for but which you may not have paid within that 2-week period (like rent, student loan and credit cards). Then look over your costs and figure out what you can live without.

Guess what? There's a lot you can live without. And yes, you CAN live without cable. Though you might make a point to meet your neighbors who have it. And get a library card.