Photo by: wwworks

I saw the movie Titanic for the first time last year.

I made it through the whole thing with the help of a Rifftrax.

Back when the film first came out I remember reading somewhere that James Cameron had an interesting problem. He had tons of extras, and he had tons of “panic” scenes. The problem emerged when he’d direct everyone to “panic” and once they said “action!” all the extras would run around screaming and wildly waving their arms.

Needless to say, it wasn’t very realistic.

Eventually they came up with a numbering system. They defined what a level 1 panic scene is (mildly concerned) up to level 5 (the previously mentioned screaming and arm waving).

Over Christmas break, someone asked me “How much am I supposed to budget for groceries?” I couldn’t give her a solid number, or even a percentage of her income. Everyone’s situation is too different, and I’m no James Cameron. Giving her an amount wouldn’t be very realistic either.

Everyone should match their budgets to their own situations.You need to find your own “level.”

Sometimes this takes a few months of budgeting to really feel out how much your comfortable with, how much you can afford, and how much makes you happiest in each category. Your first month of budgeting might not be very realistic. Fortunately, you don’t have a release date and your budget can take all the time it needs to find it’s sweet spot.

Unfortunately, few of us can enjoy a budget like Titanic’s.

Photo by: doug88888

One month of budgeting!

I hope that a lot of people will be setting goals for 2010 that revolve around starting a budget, staying on a budget, and using their budget more.

My challenge for you is to start and stay on a budget for the month of January.

If you can do that, you’ll know you can keep it up for the rest of the year.

I like to think that the free One Month of Budgeting emails I give away make a difference to those who sign up for them. I always get a little excited to see when someone’s signed up because it means someone was willing to take at least one step towards getting their 95% in order.

If you’re willing to try out the challenge just fill out the form below (or on the sidebar to the right) and your inbox will get one email a week reminding you to update your budget, as well as listing a few tips for getting the most out of the experience. After your sixth email you can continue budgeting on your own, or sign up again if you enjoy getting the reminders.

*Edit – January has ended, but the One Month of Budgeting emails are always available – and this form still works if you want to sign up here.

If you’re reading this in a reader, you can click through here to see the form.

Photo by: notsogoodphotography

Contrary to popular belief, I’m not very passionate about budgets.

Budgets are kinda boring.

Ok, they’re very boring.

I am, however, passionate about the benefits of budgeting.

• I love showing people how to be in control of one of the most influential factors of their lives.
• I like sharing how to stop wasting money on things you don’t value.
• It’s impressive to me when somebody knows their 95% enough to say ‘no’ to something they can’t afford.
• I get excited about someone buying something they really want, and knowing they can afford it without credit.
• I love the idea of parents falling asleep knowing their family’s needs are met this month.
• It’s exciting to think that people are using their budget to put a little away every month.

And it’s fun to write, and post, and hope it makes a difference.