We are nearing the end of the year and many of us will soon be reviewing the numbers for the past year. Did you stick to your budget or were you over it?

So what's the challenge in that?

• Find your statements, receipts, ect to review 
• Set a new expense plan for the upcoming year 
• Find one item from 2007 to slash from the 2008 plan

 The only one that I have reviewed is the house budget. We use a separate checking account for the house expenses. That is because DH receives a housing allowance for part of his salary. We pay Social Security on it but not Taxes. We have a keep exact records if we dont spend all of it then that becomes taxable income. We were right on target for this account. I plan the budget for this in Dec. We dicuss repairs, any remodling that will need to be done, applainces to be replaced.....estimate the cost. Then for utilities.....I add a percentage about this years actual cost. Then add in real estate taxes, dump fees, house insurance.....come up with a figure. Im happy. I thought that we would go over our budget with rising cost of fuel. Babs