Have you created a budget, only to throw it out within a week or two? So many people take the time to start their budgeting -- excited to make changes to their life -- only to throw them out the window in a few weeks.

Every New Years, people promise to change their finances. But as soon as February rolls around, they've already fallen off course. Why are their budgets failing?

The main causes of budget failure actually start before you even sit down to prepare a budget. By being aware of these budgeting land mines, you can effectively avoid them and successfully budget your way to financial freedom.

The first cause of budget failure is all in the attitude. Have you ever heard that with a change of attitude comes a change of your entire world? This is true. A positive attitude about budgeting and financial change is essential to the success of your financial plan.

You have to stop thinking in negative terms. Do you think of budgeting as limiting you from purchasing the things you want? Is it a financial diet? Is it a big sacrifice that you must make?

Stop thinking that way. It is just setting yourself and your budget up for guaranteed failure. You have to look at what your budget is giving you -- financial freedom. The ability to live well and have the things you want. Fewer bills each month. Less debt. More security. Retirement. All of these things are wonderful to work towards.

Think of your budgeting as getting you where you want to go. Yes, you may have to postpone some spending right now, but that will pay off greatly in the long run. Just stay focused on your goals and how much they mean to you.

If you don't have the motivation to keep budgeting, you will forget to do it. If you are only doing it because I'm telling you to, it isn't going to work. You have to have real reasons that mean something to you in order to succeed. The best motivations are your goals. By budgeting you can meet these goals. Keep your goals where you can see them. Review your budget often to make sure that you are staying on track.

Keep your budget in front of you on a daily basis. Don't spend the time in creating it just to put it in a drawer and never pull it back out again.

When you budget, you have to be honest with yourself and reasonable in your expectations. What are you looking for out of your budget? If you think it is going to be an easy way to get lots of cash, you probably are a little off course. Budgeting will not magically transform your finances unless you put an effort into it. You have to stick with it over the long run. If you do, you will see progress towards your goals. But nothing is going to happen overnight.

Keep your goals reasonable as well. You shouldn't expect that you can cut $200 off of your grocery spending in the first month you budget. Make small, easy steps that take you towards your larger goals. Budgeting is all about taking it step by step.

With a positive attitude, motivation and realistic expectations you are starting your budget out on the right foot. Know what is standing in the way of your budget and work to eliminate it.