The first thing you need to do is create a descriptive monthly budget. Start by writing everything down where you're currently spending your money. If you are unsure what you're spending, take what you spent last week, and multiply it by 4 to get a monthly estimated spending amount. For the expenses you pay yearly, divide the number by 12 to get your monthly. If you are unsure about any spending, try keeping your reciepts or statements for one month, and at the end of the month, write down everything to give yourself an idea of how much money is being spent, and where. Once you have this done, you will have a much better idea of where your money is being spent, and how to cut down on some spending. 

Now that you have everything written down, it's time to organize it. Try using the following categories to help you! Feel free to add or take away categories as you see fit for your budget. 

Housing Expenses: Rent/Mortgage, Gas/Electric, Water, Trash, Homeowners/Renters Insurance etc... 

      Subtotal: 

Transportation: Car loan, Gas, Scheduled maintenance, bus/cab fee, auto insurance, license/registration etc...

     Subtotal: 

Living Expenses: Grocery, Medical Bills, Health Insurance etc...

     Subtotal:

Entertainment: Dinning out (don't forget your coffee runs), TV service, Movie or online gaming services, cell phone, activities, 

     Subtotal: 

Now that you have complete this part, add up all of your subtotals to find your monthly spending.

    Total:

Set your monthly budget aside for a minute, and let's touch on finanical goals. Lets start by writting down your short-term goals. An example of these would be paying off your credit card, or pay off your car loan. These short-term goals are more measurable and something you would like to see yourself do in the next six months. Make sure to write down a time frame of 6 months, and a dollar amount by each goal. Now, start thinking of more intermediate financial goals. Something you want to do within 3-5 years, for example, buy a bigger house, family vacation, or just an emergency fund. Write down these intermediate goals, and don't forget to put a dollar amount and time frame with each goal as well.

Then, write down your BIG finanical goals along with a dollar amount associated with it and time frame in which you would "ideally" like to see this happen. An example of these BIG goals would be saving for retirement, start a business, or buying a vacation house? These are more of a "someday" ideas you dream about.

Focusing on goal will help keep you on track and stick to the budget. Now let's start doing some forward budgeting. Write down the following: 

Income:

2nd Job Income (optional)

Spouse Income: 

Investments Income: 

Other Sources of Income: 

Total:

Now that you have your current expenses, your goals, and your income you can take a look to see where everything fits together. Make sure your total spend is LESS then your total income. For example, Let's say you make $2,000 a month from your job and your partner makes $1,500 with a grand monthly income of $3,500 each month. Let's say your monthly expenses are $2,300 per month. This will leave you with $1,200 you can now allot towards your goals. No go through your goals and start allotting money to those small goals and try knocking some of those off your list. Once you have completed that, move on to your intermediate goals and so on.

Now take a look at your goals again. If your expenses are MORE then your income, try the follow. Let's say you want to pay off your credit card in the next six months. As of today, for example, you have $2,000 on your credit card. If you divide $2,000 by 6 months, this total would be $334. So now, let's figure out a way for you to save $334 a month so you can put that amount towards your credit card. Take a look at your expenses, is there a way you can cut back on some spending? Maybe cancel your TV service and save $150 a month until you can pay off your credit card. Maybe you can go through your house and sell a few items you no longer need and could make $100 each month for the next six month, or maybe try going out less, or skipping the morning coffee run and brew some at home instead? By doing this, you would need another $134 to cut out of your expensives for you to have a grand total of $334 in savings each month that you can now apply your credit card. Start with your small goals. Once you have completed the small ones, move to the intermediate ones. Once these are complete, move on to your long turn goals!