South Africans are up to their ears in debt (Click here for the easiest way to free yourself from debt) and buckling under constant pressure to make ends meet. Sure, the recession isn't helping, but for the most part it's got little or nothing to do with our plight. It's time to take a long, hard look at ourselves and admit that we're in this mess because we overspend. Plain and simple.

The cure? Drawing up a budget.

You need to chart how you spend, or you'll be swept away by our all-pervasive culture of 'buy now, pay later'. Budgeting is the key to helping you take control and becoming financially fit.

Even if you're spending less than you earn, you will still benefit from drawing up a budget. You'll become more aware of what you're spending and you'll be able to save even more. Everyone has money leaks here and there and a budget is the perfect tool to plug them.

Budgeting will change your life. Here's how to do it:

• On page two and three: How to budget

• On page four: A guideline for how much you should be spending

• On page five: More budgeting tips

Do you have any advice on how to stick to a budget? Leave a comment below...

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