Planner Can Help You Budget

There are all sorts of reasons not to like January. One of the biggest is the credit card bills for December that begin arriving this week. Consumer Alert, a 20-year-old national consumer group, offers a free, two-page budget planner for those experiencing “statement shock” when receiving their post-holiday credit card bills.

The planner consists of a budget worksheet on one side, and on the other a few simple common-sense suggestions to help you put that worksheet to its best use. The planner offers no magic tricks: “Budgeting requires self-control and discipline to reach your goals.” xxxx