List: How to live on a budget.

Are you all ready to realize Jax is a freak?  No, not that kind of freak...

Hi.  My name is Jax and I'm living on a budget.

Being on a budget is a common thing, but it has turned into an obsession for me.

What, you don't think that makes me a freak?  Keep reading...

Sunday, I go through the Target Ad and pick the "good deals" that apply to me.

Wednesday, I fill in an Excel spreadsheet with what I'm buying from Target and its price.

Then I print out an obnoxious amount of coupons from the internet.

I note the spreadsheet with what items I have coupons for and adjust the price.

I also utilize the Target Cartwheel, and you should too.  It's extra savings on everything!

Thursday, I go through the Best Market Ad and pick the "good deals" that apply to me.

I then add my selections to the second half of my excel spreadsheet along with the prices.

Then I create a total.  I make it bold and put a double underline underneath it.

As the last step, I edit the list to ensure I'm not exceeding my $130 weekly grocery budget.

Friday, I go shopping and will not buy anything if it is not on my list.

The check out line is a game.  I watch every item and coupon get scanned to see if my total matches.

Now do you believe I'm a freak?  Yea, that's what I thought...

I'm not saying go to this extreme to save money, but here are some pointers from an freak expert.

How to live on a budget.

1.  Make a budget.

Before you can actually live on a budget, you need to know what it is.  Create an excel sheet and add up all of your monthly bills including groceries and gas.  Then add up all your income.  Next subtract your expenses from your income and see what is left.  Your goal is to save at least 25% of your income in a savings account and to be able to spend 10% of your income on weekly fun.  Tweak the numbers until you are satisfied with where you stand.  If your expenses aren't matching your income, it's time to cut back on something.

This is the hardest part, but trust me it works!  Besides, Excel is almost a holy lifesaver!

2.  Find your go to stores.

I am in love with Target.  I could probably write a whole article on how Target makes me feel.  Although I'm having an affair with this store, I know it's best to shop their for groceries, and not actual food.  For that I go to my local Best Yest because it has quality meats at a very low price.

Writing this actually made me fantasize about that red bulls eye...  Shopping anyone?

3.  Coupons, Coupons, Coupons!

Sundays I hunt through Newsday and clip as many coupons as I can.  On Wednesdays, I'm rocking coupons.com, target.com/coupons, and then couponsherpa.com.  By the time I'm done, there are very few things I'm buying at full price.  That $1.50 may seem like nothing, but get a bunch of coupons, and you just saved $20 of your hard-earned cash!

Hellloooo Shellac manicure!

4.  Utilize websites like Groupon and Amazon Social.

Everybody wants a nice night out, but on a budget that could get difficult.  Instead of spending the typical $200 on a date night of sushi and a movie, utilize Groupon and get discount movie tickets and then Amazon social to get 50% off your meal.  If these savings aren't enough, get creative!  Make your own sushi with friends and buy a bottle of Saki-Champagne.  You'll probably have more fun trying to roll sushi with friends, than sitting there being catered to anyway!

Luckily all my friends are on a budget as well, so they totally get it!

5.  Plan for budget killers.

Christmas or your baby girl's birthday month are perfect examples of budget killers!  There are ways around this.  Start a month (or two) before the holiday and start saving.  Increase your weekly grocery budget by $20 and buy a gift a week.  You won't even notice that hole in your pocket, and you're more likely to spend less on one gift when it's planned than when it's an emergency purchase.

I have been doing this for a few weeks now, and Mushy has a whole Santa stock already!

What are your money saving tips?