You can ration your little supply of water efficiently. The water you have used in taking a bath can still be used for the cleaning the bathroom or for washing and brushing the dirt off your shoes. The money allotted for transportation should be handled sensibly. As much as possible, you must avoid purchasing very expensive car models. Previous year prices are not used for any calculation. In zero based budgeting you are given a fixed period of time, the next quarter or year for example. You are asked make a justification on the proposed expenses during that time period solely on their rewards. The advantages of zero base budgeting - efficient allocation of resources as it is based on needs and benefits - managers find out cost effective ways to improve operations - detects inflated budgets - useful for service of department where the output is difficult to identify - increases communication and coordination within the company With zero based budgeting, every department function is reviewed thoroughly. Forecasts are significant because they predicting things like the next wave of technological change, the weather, and natural disaster, all of which can have important economic and budget implications. Thus, budgeting and forecasting always go hand in hand. Since the lifeblood of any business is its ability to collect cash and pay bills including the pay checks of its employees, it is important to prepare a forecast of its cash requirements whether for a new or ongoing business. The former is easy, it is basically your paycheck and the money you make from your other jobs. The latter needs more details. You can start by listing the things you can easily identify (for example, rent, car, insurance, alimony, utilities, etc.). Budgeting properly entails tracking all your expenses. The Australian National Audit Office has identified the advantages of activity based budgeting: The Advantages - Output costs are supported by a schedule of costed activities - Opportunities to examine work processes - Identifies non value-adding activities that can be eliminated - Basis of a performance measurement system and direct link between strategic goals and operational realities - Enables cost profiles to be managed - Accurate costing data for operational management - Costs are transparent, understandable and actionable Disadvantages - Activity definition may become too detailed and the model may become too complex and difficult to maintain - Underestimation of the task of collecting activity driver data - Implementation may be considered a financial management fad and there is insufficient commitment from operational managers Activity Based Budgeting Disadvantages - Usually requires buying Activity Based Budgeting software - Requires training of all managers including budgeting department - Requires people to really understand what drives their budget - Eliminates excuse that activity volume changed because it makes visible volume changes - Requires everyone to collect or estimate activity volume By understanding how resources are transformed into products or services, and byfocusing on the cost of activities, activity based budgeting helps an organisation to obtain a greaterunderstanding of how costs behave in their organization and which activities create significant amounts of cost. The reason for having a budget is not to cause problems, but to rather to help you see where your hard-earned money is going, and where you can cut corners without having to feel cheated, restrained and uncomfortable about it. One of the very first things you can start doing is to have a habit of writing down every penny you are spending daily.