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This journey started when I bought a house, and was having trouble saving thousands of dollars, for my annual property tax bill. (Escrow wasn't required then.) Money management became a problem for me. I didn't know my bank had a tool to help with this, so I had my employer split my direct deposit between my checking account, and a savings account.

After a few times of choosing between paying a bill or buying food, I started to separate money for my inconsistent bills. Things like new tires for the car, new transmission for the car.

I added more, and more, to that savings account, which helped with controlling the over spending. But I needed to save for some bills, while other bills just needed a regular buffer every month. And mixing them without a method to track what's what, became another problem.

I took a class based on a popular person's budgeting methods, and clearing debt. That system was way too much work, and had several questionable methods being presented. While better than nothing, I needed something easier, and past step 1.

Global Tail

After learning a little about Excel Spreadsheets, and some Special Tips to make them a lot easier, I found that I could classify my bills into some basic categories, and track the savings for those annual bills.

As I learned more about my different needs and some available banking tools, I was able to modify and automate the way I bank, to make my money management life even easier.

My savings improved. I spent less time paying bills, or finding money to pay bills. And as a side benefit, my credit score skyrocketed.

Some of my friends started using my methods, and I found that I wanted to help more people to understand their finances. My first website was started in 2007 as my way of trying to help as many people as possible. My marketing skills then were even worse than they are now. As a result, the first website was a total flop. My second website wasn't much better and honestly I didn't give it the attention that it needed. This website, with a membership, is the way to go, as it provides weekly video lessons instead of a few downloaded files. Also, I have more time to devote to the maintenance and updates. A better feedback method is also included; which should give me better info to use to improve the product.

You'll be getting the best education, of my financial experiences.

Mark Burkholder