Budgeting
“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery.”
Mr Micawber’s famous recipe for happiness is one of my favourite Dickens quotes and the sentiment is probably as relevant today as it was when David Copperfield was first published in 1850. Indeed, in one of my previous blogs for Almost Essential, I referred to a modern-day article which suggested that “people in control of their finances tend to live longer (and happier) lives”. To some it may seem a bit far-fetched, but to others it will make perfect sense.
Budgeting is not just about living within your means, but also about keeping on top of your paperwork, which can be, and often is, tedious and time-consuming in this day and age. For a lot of my clients, the real attraction of my services does not relate to the money-saving aspect, but to the benefits of being organised and being able to see at a glance who, for what and when you are paying and at what cost.
A recent client, who is in his late-70s and retired, originally contacted me because he was having great difficulty obtaining a parking permit from Westminster Council and was racking up substantial and unnecessary fines as a result. I was immediately able to resolve this matter for him and have since automated all his household finances and saved him over £6,000, after taking into account my fees, along the way, including a saving of £1,800 on accountancy fees by completing his tax return on his behalf. I have also suggested how he can enhance his income by £10,000 per annum without taking any risk. Furthermore, all the information which he requires is now set out on two spreadsheets and he can call me anytime if any problems arise.
Those of you who have read my previous articles will be aware that I guarantee that the resulting savings and benefits will always exceed the agreed fixed cost of using my service, which effectively makes it free to use.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you would like more information or to arrange a free consultation in your own home and at a time which suits you. I think that Mr Micawber would have approved of the service and I think that you will too!