Create a budget that is simple and basic at first. Include the income you bring in and the basic bills that you pay. These would be as follows:
a. Rent or mortgage
b. Utilities
c. Car payment
d. Insurance
e. Credit card payments
f. Student loans
g. Any set payments that you pay every month

 Now you will want to decide when you are paid, and set the payments you make around the due dates and your paychecks. To the best of your ability, you need to stay within the dates planned to pay those bills. However, there are going to be times when things come up, especially if you do not have any savings set up for emergencies that you will want to give your self some leniency if you can not follow the budget exactly.
 Track your spending. This will make it easier for you to be able to watch where your money is going, know what you can cut back on and where you will get the money you need for paying off debt, investing in your future, and setting up your savings for emergencies and larger purchases.
 When you have taken the time to track your spending and have been diligent about following a simpler budget, it is time to revise your budget to fit the tighter budget that includes spending on food, clothing, investing, savings etc. This extended budget is going to be much more stringent and therefore will take some real dedication and correct numbers, where the more simple budget has a great amount of room for deviations.

Following a budget will open your financial doors to better living. However it does take a little practice, some room for screw-ups, and finally room for growth. Do not be to hard on yourself if the first few times you try to create and follow a budget you fail. It is something that financial consultants have taken years to learn.

There are a couple tools that you will need to make following a budget easier. First, you will need either some budgeting software; free or purchased, or a spreadsheet on the computer, or pen and paper. Either way you do it, you will need to also have your check stubs, and copies of all your bills. Finally you will need a few hours a week, until you get a process figured out. Once this is done, you will be able to complete the complete process in probably an hour or less per week. This will include reconciling your checkbook.

Financial freedom is at your fingertips, and all available for the taking. However, you do need to start somewhere. Starting your budget with the basics will help you get into the habit of tracking and budgeting your money, and in time you will become a budgeting wiz.