Getting Your Budget Back on Track

(NewsUSA) - If you often look at your bank statement in puzzlement, trying to figure out where your money has gone, you're not alone. Many Americans struggle to keep their personal finances under control. But creating and sticking to a budget might be easier than you think. Here are some tips from The Neat Company (www.neatco.com), a developer of scanning software solutions that helps its customers save, track and manage information, including budgets: - Save your receipts. You need to know where your money goes before you can budget. Save the receipts from every purchase that you make over the next month. Some companies will help you track your receipts in digital format on your computer. For example, with a product called NeatReceipts, you can scan your receipts into a computer, then create lists and digital folders that track your expenses. - Organize and store your bills and documents in one central location. Bills, financial statements and other important documents often end up in various drawers or cabinets, making finding them a challenge. Store all of your documentation in one place, either by using a software-based planning system or creating a filing system at home. - Break down your spending. At the end of the month, review your receipts to see where your money went. You'll likely be surprised when you see how you spent it. NeatReceipts offers several reports to identify where you spend your money -; food, utilities, household expenses and more. - Take control of your spending. Once you see where you spend your money, you can determine where to cut expenses. For example, if you overspend on food, you might cut costs by eating out less, clipping coupons or eating a vegetarian meal once weekly. If you're spending too much money on utilities, consider investing in energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights when you leave a room and waiting to do your laundry until you have full loads of dirty clothes.