Budgeting is of course an essential strategy for anyone managing their own finances.  What is important is to pay attention to several different aspects of budgeting to make sure you save as well as you can.  There are three basic ideas in budgeting: 1)identify how you are spending currently 2)  Set goals for your long term financial agenda that can be realistically incorporated into your current spending patters  3)  Practice the self discipline of staying within your previously planned budget.  The idea can be summed up into three thoughts:  

1)Identify your spending

2)Plan your budget

3)Adhere to your budget

Identifying your spending can be taxing if a person is doing their budget by hand.  This is why I recommend looking for an online website or program to evaluate your current spending habits for you.  With online banking, usually there is an automatic feature that categorizes spending habits already built in.  If you do not have online banking you can still link your account with an online program and have the program evaluate your spending routine.

Planning your budget can be a nuanced activity.  It is very important for a person to plan a budget within their means and not "over do it" by planing a perfect budget that won't be adhered to.  Common things that can be usually be reevaluated are food expenses and entertainment.  Eating out or going to fast food restaurants can certainly deplete large attributes of your budget without you realizing it. 

Adhering to your budget is what can be most difficult for anyone.  Like anything else it takes practice, but the more it is done, the better at it you will get and the easier it will be for you to participate in.  With little amounts of consistent effort the benefits will pay off much more thoroughly than anticipated and you will be well on your way to financial security.