We’ve become so addicted to our computers that we've forgotten the art of writing. And yes, it's an art.
Typing on your computer is logical - find the key and then hit it. Writing is a free-flow movement of your hand, and when we do this, we create art.
The best way you can force your mind to remember something is to write it down. We are then combining logic (the thing to remember) with art (by writing it down). When we type the same reminder into a computer, we are combining logic (a thing to remember) with logic (typing it on the computer). The reason is physiological, as you combine left and right brain activities - one logic, one art.
To combine logic with logic thus makes you rigid and forgetful - like a professor. Combining art with art makes you flaky - like an artist. Combining logic with art creates balance and allows you to remember better. So, when I say write it down, I mean put pen to paper and write. Musicians are often good mathematicians, I'm told, for this reason - scribing onto paper what they hear in their heads - constantly using logic and art in combinations.
This integration of both sides of the brain is of particular importance when you do a budget. The fact that you write the logic of your salary and estimated expenses down combines logic and art. The fact that you must then add the figures manually forces you to apply more logic to the artwork. Try it and see the difference.
For years I've been taking notes with pen and paper when attending meetings. Once, when breaking this habit, I typed the notes into my cellphone. I forgot the information and even battled remembering that I took notes. Writing makes you remember better.
This was again illustrated last week when I met two company officials whom I'm with again after three weeks. They made only a few typed notes on their iPads and got most of the four points made at the first meeting wrong. Without referencing I could remember the four points far better because I used art and logic.
The budget you write will be remembered for the month. Even standing in front of the fridge wondering whether you can afford the extras will be easier remembered.
An aunt of mine ran her business on a Cardex system. For the younger readers: this was the old way of keeping stock updated; it allowed one person to add new purchases and deduct sales on a written card for each part number. Automation now does it for us, that is if the system and the database work correctly. This is because AB is not the same as A_B in computer terms but is the same for the trained eye on a card in the Cardex.
She won each battle that started when there was a dispute on the number of items of stock. Her son, now 60, who 20 years ago embraced the new technology, is using the Cardex system. He claims it's more reliable and more visual.
If we can make our budgets more reliable and more visual by writing things down, it's a definite option to consider.
Write down every conceivable expense item while thinking creatively: I'm sitting under a roof (rent); I need food (groceries) and clothing, and to keep them clean (cleaning materials); I also need to buy water and electricity; I drive to work daily in a car (payment, petrol, service, licence, weekly wash and so on); I take the children to school (fees); pick them up from aftercare (more fees); buy a takeaway once a week and eat out once a month. Then add an incidental fund for breakdowns, appliance, electrical and plumbing repairs or replacement, annual holiday and entertainment.
Remember to add care for yourself and the family now and in the future - life insurances and savings. You can even write the list while stationary and stuck in traffic.
It's a good idea that, after you recorded the items with values, to transfer it onto a spreadsheet to store and compare costs and expenses on a monthly basis. The proportion of each item relative to the other is important.
* Deon Hattingh is a financial planner, passionate about seeing people win and gain through a well-written and maintained personal budget. For a free copy of an interactive budget sheet email him at [email protected].
* The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media.
THE STAR