Investing Make an investment plan - Savings are meant to keep us warm during stormy nights; and when used wisely, savings can help us achieve financial freedom before we actually retire. Make an investment out of your savings to generate income. For first time investors, use twenty-five percent (25%) of your savings as a start up investment. This fall back plan of your home budgeting becomes your life saver. Make your home budgeting work for you, and not the other way around. Everyone's spending habits are different. This means that your utility bills may be larger or smaller than your neighbors. But as long as you are living within your means, you are doing quite fine. According to surveys, families and singles eat at restaurants at least four times a week. Help yourself and your wallet from screaming in agony by doing your groceries well. And even if you cannot cook, there is still help that awaits you. Look for recipes in the internet that will not only save you money but time in preparing meals. For example, you apply for another credit card and use cash advances from it to pay an existing card. You have more credit cards than a successful gambler has poker chips. You are at or perilously near the limit on each of your credit cards. You consistently charge more each month than you make in payments. Previous year prices are not used for any calculation. In zero based budgeting you are given a fixed period of time, the next quarter or year for example. You are asked make a justification on the proposed expenses during that time period solely on their rewards. The advantages of zero base budgeting - efficient allocation of resources as it is based on needs and benefits - managers find out cost effective ways to improve operations - detects inflated budgets - useful for service of department where the output is difficult to identify - increases communication and coordination within the company With zero based budgeting, every department function is reviewed thoroughly. PERCENTAGE Thirty percent (30%) of the wedding budget goes to food and venue, twenty-five percent (25%) of the wedding budget goes to the photographer and twenty-five percent (25%) of the wedding budget goes to the dress. Stick to this wedding budgeting tactic. No ifs no buts. Don't overspend on souvenir or invitation.