Most often than not, people pay utility bills and buy luxurious items before they a realization that there is no room to save money for other necessary expenses anymore. Zero based budgeting helps in the prevention of this problem. Zero based budgeting is a method of budgeting in which all expenses must be justified in each new period, as opposed to only explaining the amounts requested in excess of the previous period's funding. Budgeting finances isn't as complex as Differential Calculus or as abstract as Symbolic Logic. Budgeting finances is equal to Common Sense. Below are five simple keys to financial control: 1. CUT THE CREDIT CARDS It is best if you don't use credit cards, or even own one. If you think you're responsible enough to use it in emergency situation, then leave one for those times. And stop thinking about it as a financial diet. A budget is simply a tool to increase your consciousness of how and where you spend your money. It is also guideline to help you spend your money on the things that are most important to you. A budget is to successful money management as a rudder is to a ship. You are spending on a regular basis. Home payments and maintenance, utilities, auto maintenance and payments, insurance payments, child care and alimony, education, food, clothing, entertainment and travel are just few of the many things you spend your money on regularly. In today's expensive living, budgeting should be practiced to give you power to rapidly gain control over your complicated spending. Your credit cards are no longer used for the sake of convenience, but because you don't have money. You are hiding the true cost of your purchases from your spouse. The amount of debt left unpaid increases overtime due to interest rates. To keep yourself and family from sleepless nights due to debts, start a debt management budgeting strategy with special interest on decreasing debts. Research In this phase, you evaluate your revenue position, understand your business' cost structure and research on your competitors' businesses. 2. Analysis There is a need for you to analyze possible revenue and expenses for the next year, and at the same time, decide on one set of revenue and expenses to represent your expectations.