Chances are that divorce left your budget a little lop-sided, with much less monthly income to use in your current lifestyle. Now is the time to re-evaluate your divorce budgeting, not months later when you’ve gotten deeper into debt and your credit record has been ruined.

Here’s how:

1.List all sources of your current income.

Don’t forget any money you may get from consulting work or a second job. Make sure you remember to either add or subtract any alimony or maintenance you may receive or have to pay.

2.Make a list of all of your set expenses and see what you can eliminate.

Set expenses are those that you have every month, like car payments, bond payments, or insurance. Will you be moving to a smaller place, or downsizing your family car? Can you cut back on any insurance? Do you really need a cell phone and a landline in your home? Can you live without bottled water delivery, satellite television or internet service?

3.Look at your fluctuating expenses.

Fluctuating expenses normal include those little luxuries we enjoy. Dining out, hair styling, manicures, gold club fees, snacks from the machine at work or a gym membership. Be willing to cut out all expenses that are not absolutely necessary.

4.Compare your income to your expenses.

When you compare your income to what you’re currently spending, you may see a noticeable lack of balance. Go back and decide what you can eliminate. Can you pack a lunch rather than eating out daily? Can you give up that weekend movie night? Can you do your own hair colouring or nails for now? Call your creditors and ask for lower payments. Most are willing to work with you to make sure you don’t fall behind. Keep eliminating unnecessary expenses until you have income left over at the end of the month.

5.The changes don’t have to be permanent.

Remember that this divorce budgeting doesn’t have to be permanent, just until you can increase your income. Once you have been on your own for a while, without benefit of a double income, you will be able to better gauge how far you can stretch your income. It helps to eliminate extras if you know you can have them back at some point.

6.There is a difference between wanting and needing.

Consider your wants versus needs. Survival may come down to eliminating everything from your budget but needs. Many of the things you thought were necessities become optional.

7.Look for ways to bring in extra cash by taking a second job.

You might want to take part of any savings you have to pay off some of your fixed expenses so you will have more left each month for other things. Take a good look at the talents you possess and get creative in ways you can build your cash flow. Can you do some freelance writing? Do you have artistic ability? Put on your thinking cap and you will come up with ways to earn extra monthly income and better budget for divorce.

8.Avoid any new debt.

It may seem tempting to use a credit card rather than giving up a luxury you enjoy. Don’t give into the temptation. It will make your future financial picture much gloomier for much longer. Don’t allow the emotional stress of a divorce cause you to sooth yourself by spending more than you can afford.

9.Avoid extra stress by staying within your divorce budget.

Financial problems bring stress, and avoiding that stress may make it easier to give up things you can live without. Your situation is not permanent and this, too, shall pass. Use your creativity and self-control to make some needed changes, and you’ll be back on your feet much sooner.

Following these simple tips will help you budget for divorce better, so you can reduce stress in your life and start to enjoy it.