I’m sure many of you have a new budget for 2010…or maybe you just revived your unused budget from 2009 and dusted it off. Either way, January begins a new month for the management of your money.

While some people will stick to their budget this year and emerge in 2011 more financially stable, the majority will fall off the budget bandwagon some time around March.

If you recognize the symptoms of a failing budget, you can stop it before it goes too far.

6 Sure Signs Your Budget is in Danger

1. You made your budget in Excel or some other electronic spreadsheet and you’re beginning to spend a lot of time moving things around to accommodate purchases you want to make/have made.

2. You are following your budget, “by memory.”

3. You created a general budget without breaking down categories like, bills, savings and entertainment into more defined subcategories.

4. You are not following up with your budget periodically to hold yourself accountable and to see what is and isn’t working (and why).

5. You still have a hard time getting your lips around the word, “No.”

6. Your budget says you will contribute a set amount each month to retirement, college and emergency savings, but you refuse to set up automatic drafts and transfers to make sure the contributions are…well…contributed.

So take control today and make sure you avoid all of the above budgeting mishaps by committing to yourself and your budget, holding yourself accountable, taking the budget seriously and learning how to say, “No.” (Hint: It rhymes with foe.)