Budgeting
Guest written by our friend Mason Abbott
I was 
talking to my brother-in-law yesterday and I was telling him about how 
things have been tight for our family financially lately.  I usually do 
not like to talk finances with him because he is kind of a know-it-all 
when it comes to finances.  However, I am to the point that I need some 
advice.  He suggested that we try to go on a cash budget.  I thought it 
sounded a little crazy, but after he explained it I decided that we 
should give it a try.  He also suggested that we switch to fixed-rate 
energy so we will have a predictable bill each month.  I asked him how 
he found out about that and he told me that he searched “energy companies Texas”
 online and discovered that he was eligible for it.  His wife actually 
keeps track of their budget and is very strict about it.  He is not even
 allowed to use their debit card without getting her approval ahead of 
time.   I do not want to be as extreme as them in our budget, but I do 
think that my wife and I can learn from some of their financial 
principles. 
