How about identity thieves? They pilfer your financial information, and run wild with accounts they set up. They rummage through your trash, set up scams, and flat out steal your info. They definitely qualify as real lowlifes. Never less, they aren’t your greatest financial enemy either.

So how do you find your greatest financial enemy? You go look in mirror. This is person you really need to watch. This is who gives into all of credit offers in mailbox. This person watches television and reads magazines; then responds to ads that are displayed. It is this same person who is careless with their financial information or falls for scams.

This is man or woman who spends more that they make. This person refuses to save any money. It is this person who doesn’t invest for future. This is also person who doesn’t educate themselves in matters of money. This is your greatest financial enemy.

It is this person who ruins all your dreams. It is also this person over who you have most control. Do not look anywhere else for cause of your financial problems. You are in charge and you are accountable.

You need to take time to investigate all matters financial. You need to educate yourself concerning money, credit, debt and its uses. You are one who needs to curb your spending. You are one who needs to establish a plan for your savings and in turn your future. Your greatest enemy is in mirror, and so is your greatest help and friend. Depending on who or what you see determines what you need to change or what you need to keep doing.

(c)2005 David Wilding

Next, concentrate on your expenses. In top right section of page, list all your "fixed" expenses — those that are same each month — like mortgage payments or rent, car payments, and insurance premiums.

Then, list variable expenses — like groceries, entertainment, recreation, and clothing

Writing down all your expenses, even those that seem insignificant, is a helpful way to track your spending patterns, identify necessary expenses, and prioritize rest. The goal is to make sure you can make ends meet on basics: housing, food, health care, insurance, and education.

Once completed, analyse your figures. Ask yourself some very hard questions! “Do I really need to buy this item?” Do I have to have that latest gadget?” Sometimes, just by performing this very basic task you may find that you can make some very obvious savings.

Once you have carried out this exercise, it is a good idea to go through it again in a month’s time just to make sure that your spending is not reverting back to it’s bad habits.

A useful suggestion would be to make use of your computer. Computer software programs can be useful tools for developing and maintaining a budget, balancing your cheque book, and creating plans to save money and pay down your debt. If you do not own a computer you can utilise your public library and bookshops as they have information about budgeting and money management techniques that you could find beneficial.

You may freely reprint this article provided author's biography remains intact:

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available online loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.