Keeping your finances organized saves you time, improves your financial future and gives you peace of mind. These are what we consider the best personal budgeting programs: Mvelopes – is quite different from its competitors. It incorporates an improved envelope system where you divide your income into “envelopes” assigned for particular bills and expenses. Their website is user-friendly and includes many features to match your personal needs. Their personal finance software allows you to enter all of your bank accounts and keeps track of your net worth. With Mvelopes you can link to thousands of financial institutions making it easier to keep your balances up to date without the need to balance each account. You don’t need to download and install personal finance software, this way you can have access to your personal budgeting from any part of the world.

With the money you’ll save each month, Mvelopes will pay for itself in a few weeks. The program includes their famous “Top 10 Tips for Getting out of Debt”. Note: We found out that Mvelopes is more advanced therefore; it will take you a little longer to learn. Their plan has repeating fees based on 2 year, 1 year, and quarterly subscription plans, but you’ll really learn how to make a budget. You Need A Budget – is like a basic “envelope” system and provides plenty of features. With this program you only spend money you already earned instead of money you will earn in the future. This is very useful especially if you don’t have a steady income. Their personal finance software comes with 3 worksheets with instructions and explanations. With this system you’ll know how to make a budget easily in a few minutes.

After you install the software, you’ll need to update and review your personal budgeting only a few minutes each week based on their four principles. Note: You Need A Budget is more user-friendly than Mvelopes, however it’s not compatible with Apple (yet). With your purchase you’ll get FREE: 5 spreadsheet bonuses, training support and the “The YNAB Way eBook”. YNAB doesn’t do an automatic upload of your financial transactions and category assignment, and has no bill pay functionality. On the other hand it has a one-time only payment. Quicken Deluxe – here you’ll find a solid personal finance software whether you’re a novice or an experienced user of budget planner software. Manage your investments, savings, and classify your expenses efficiently. If you’re part of a starting family and are trying to save money for a new home, college fund, or other costly items, Quicken Deluxe is perfect for you. “My Savings Plan” is a new upgrade very useful if you have problems setting money aside each month.

Their new Bill Minder Gadget (Windows Vista) is a Desktop window to remind you of any overdue bills, and other money transactions. Their system links to more than 5,300 financial institutions, including PayPal. Note: Quicken Deluxe does not offer import/ export for data of investment accounts, and it’s also a more complicated tool than YNAB. However, Quicken Deluxe is a better personal finance software for tracking your net worth and investments.

Ask politely what they amount they consider as a donation if you are in any doubt. As a guide $100-$150 is typical. Reception venues: some public buildings such as halls or huts or private venues such as barns, fields or gardens, may not charge you hire costs. But you may feel that giving some kind of donation would be appropriate. As a guide $50-$100. Car parking: if you manage to get permission for wedding guests to park their cars in private car parks or those belonging to a public building – offices, schools etc, then a donation to that building is usual. Budget around $50. Bridesmaids gifts: these maybe on your budget planner already. But if they are not then you will need to factor them in. These gifts do not need to be very extravagant most bride’s will give simple jewelry, books or a wristwatch. Budget $20-$30 per bridesmaid. Best man gift: again this might be on your planner already. Most couple’s choose something such as cufflinks to give as a best man present.

Budget $30-$40. Parents and others gifts: it is traditional to give the mothers’ bouquets of flowers as a thank you. If you want to give both parents a gift consider a joint present such as tickets to the theatre or a restaurant meal. If you have received help from other people you may also want to arrange bouquets for them. Budget between $20-$30 per gift. Reception staff/bar staff: tips are normal at any venue no matter what the occasion so you may want to arrange for tips to given to the waiting staff who serve your wedding breakfast. You can delegate the best man to take charge of this using cash. The amount you give will depend on the number of staff employed on the day. As a guide $50-$100. Taxis: have some cash available should you need to hire a cab to take guests home, particularly those who become slightly worse for wear as the day wears on! Budget about $5-$10 although you may need more if you have to bribe the cab driver to take them or even have to pay their fare!