Many people never start or continue a budget because of time.

It takes too much time.

Believe me, you will waste more time if you don't get started now. You will spend years paying interest that could have been savings. You'll retire later, have more stressful debt and waste money if you don't start a budget and stick to it. Wise money management will save you time.

For example, you can spend ten minutes a night working on your finances, such as your checkbook register and bills, or spend two hours straightening a two-week mess out.

Budgets aren't anything more than a simple plan. You are spending your money on paper before the month begins. This is your guideline, your schedule, your goal. You have freedom to choose where you spend your money when you allot it to certain areas.

So many people feel as if they loose their freedom when they make a budget. But it is actually the opposite. Look at how much your debt or bills are restricting your spending. If you have a budget and stick to it, those bills and debt could be reduced. Giving you more spending freedom, saving freedom and perhaps the freedom to retire early.

When you sit down and look at ways to cut your spending, you often find many ways to free up your spending. The key is taking the time to find a realistic budget that you can stick to. It may take three to four months to come up with a budget that will work. Give yourself some working room for the unexpected.

Sit down and plan out the month in advance. I usually plan three months ahead. Spend every dime on paper so that it has a place to go. Make sure that you are giving yourself enough in each category. I like to overfund my grocery category and then make a personal goal of saving $25. This money I save for things I might want, like new glasses or birthday presents for my children.

If you are married, the budget must be something that is agreed upon and followed by each spouse. Only one can't do it. It takes two.

When you take the time to spend according to plan, you will find that you save time. You no longer have to sit and try to figure a way out of your financial mess. Balancing the checkbook, paying the bills and shopping will take less of your time. When things are organized, you can quickly and efficiently take care of them. You might even consider setting up your bills to automatically deduct from your account. This will ensure that everything is paid on time, every time. Having your savings automatically withdrawn is a big plus. If you never see the money, you won't miss it as badly. Plus, it's automatic, you don't have to do anything. You won't spend the money before you get to the bank.