Why our Budget is helping us to not fall back into Bad Habits

Since we've paid off our credit cards last year, we've barely used them. We've used them for some online shopping here and there or for some more expensive purchases in order to get the cash back rewards. Most of our every day shopping though (groceries, gas, etc.) is done with our check cards. We may not earn rewards on those purchases, but it's very easy for me to update my budget by simply looking at one bank account.

Lately though, we've been using the cards more often and instead of paying the balance off right away (like within days) I've been waiting for the month to close and paying it off in full the next month before any interest charges accrue. While this is responsible credit card usage, it also can mean the start of some bad habits. For instance, our credit card bill this month is $375! That's from a combination of things (2 year pictures for Jamison, a nice dinner out for Valentine's, FICO scores for Chuck and I, registration for a Daddy/Daughter dance and our regular Netflix subscription) but I don't think that matters. I need to be better disciplined about charging and then paying immediately (thus taking the money out of the current budget) or just stall the credit card usage entirely.

This month we've already put $110 on a credit card. It was dog kennel charges for our recent family vacation. I've budgeted for this expense this month so as soon as the charge hits our card, I'll go in and pay it. To me, this is the most responsible use of credit cards - take advantage of the rewards and pay it off ASAP.

By keeping track of our money so carefully with our budget spreadsheet, I can see these trends (credit card usage going up). I'm so grateful for our budget. I can nip this bad habit before it becomes a full blown problem again and we get to the point where we can't pay our bill in full. I want to make sure that never happens again. If I keep budgeting, I'm pretty sure it won't.