 TITLE: When Should You Start a Budget? CONTENT: When Is the Best Time to Start Budgeting?\n-----------------------------------------\nThere's no time like the present to start budgeting. Why is it important to set up a budget? Here are three great reasons:\n1.  It can help you live within your means. A budget helps ensure you've got enough money to cover monthly expenses by identifying areas where you might need to cut back. But having a budget doesn't necessarily mean going without. Careful budgeting can help you better plan your expenses so you're able to enjoy life without stressing over money.\n2.  It can help you save money. You might, for instance, want to set aside money for emergency expenses or a down payment on a car loan. A budget can help you target areas where you can trim spending and shift funds toward more important objectives.\n3.  It can help you avoid or reduce debt. When you maintain a budget, you can steer clear of spending more than you earn, and you can decrease or stay away from credit card debt and other types of debt. END