One tool you may consider using when it comes to money management is budgeting software. This is especially true if you are part of the computer generation. You will need to search carefully to find a program that works well for you and your family. There are many different types of programs available and so you will need to decide your needs and wants.
Two of the biggest money management programs for families are Microsoft Money and Quicken. These programs are very similar. I have used both and like the features that they offer. The software allows you to balance your checkbook, while keeping a running balance in the different budget categories that you have set up. The software can also link to a PDA so that you can update while on the road, and then sync it with your system at home.
There is other software available as well. There are software programs that use the envelope system to track spending. You can find different programs that will allow you to track your budget this way. A few are operated online, and so you can access them from anywhere. These work well for people who need a more visual way of tracking expenses.
You can set up a budget tracking system in Excel as well. This is fairly easy to do. It is easy to reallocate money from month to month and from category to category as needed. You can set up a budget according to your exact needs, and track spending at the same time.
As you choose a software program or system you need to decide what characteristics are most important for you. It may be the ease in balancing your checking account. It may be the tracking system that you use for your budget. Most of the programs have a large amount of flexibility in setting up a budget for you and your family.