You need to budget your spending. This is basic: Step #4 in any program of financial liberation.

These simple spreadsheets are easy to use. They are no-frills budgeting tools. Use either of them before you use a full money management program, whether on-line or on your computer.

If you don't like these, there are lots of free budgeting tools on the Web. For a list with brief reviews, click here.

The self-discipline of creating a budget lets you see how much you are spending and on what. You will have to cut spending and/or increase income. This is easier to do when you know what part of your budget is discretionary (such as entertainment) and what isn't (such as the rent or mortgage payment).

If you won't use software to help you, here are five low-tech ways to get conttol of your budget.