Show Tight About Money Dear Margaret Brookfield My husband says Im I'm terrible terrible terrible ter ter- ter- ter about money and Im I'm afraid hes he's right Im I'm always getting behind with the bills Im I'm never putting anything in the bank AND I always have that sinking feeling that I just cant can't dig out from under Is there any foolproof system of saving for people like me U. U B. B Rapid City S. S D. D Dear U. U B. B No but the experts have some useful advice to offer if you'd like to take it They say If you think youre you're going to pay all your living expenses expenses expenses ex ex- ex- ex and all your bills on the first of the month and then save what's left over youre you're kidding yourself YOU HAVE to reverse things that is make your savings deposit first then live on what's left One way to do this is think of your yourT T savings account as a creditor to whom you absolutely must pay a little each month Set a small goal at first so it isn t too difficult to acquire the savings habit Then gradually increase it it f 5 THE TilE EXPERTS also say youre you're not in bad shape if youre you're spending about 14 percent of the family's take-home take pay on old bills But if the new bills are coming in faster than the theold theold theold old ones are paid you are They believe youre you're definitely definitely efin- efin over-extended over if youre you're allocating 20 to 25 percent of your income to paying old bills And you should certainly certainly certainly cut back on your spending spending spending spend spend- ing in order to catch up with with- yourself P. P S. S Putting some of it itin itin itin in the bank automatically means you have less to spend spendin in the first place |