Figuring out Finances

 My phone died last week. My budget was on it. I try to stick to a budget. Chris usually blows my theoretical food budget when he goes grocery shopping but I don't do the greatest job at sticking to it either. I have had to increase our food budget. Even though it is hard to stick perfectly to a budget, I find having a budget written down can help one spend less and be more conscientious of their spending. 

Monthly Budget after paying taxes, EI, benefits deducted from paychecks, etc and tithing, babysitting.

Mortgage - 1150 (katherine - k)

Auto/gas/maintenance - 1200 (k - 600)

Food/shopping - 1300   (chris - c)

Clothing - 50 (c)

Personal care - 50 (c)

Yearly expense account (property tax1200, insurance 4800 dentist 840, etc) - 600 per month into yearly expense account. (c)

Car insurance 300 (c)

Cash - 100    (k)

Utilities/phone - 700 (c)

student loans - 250 (c)

Kids RESP - 50 (c)

School - 50 (c)

Date night - 50 (k)

Animals - 100 (k)

Kids activities/excersize - 150 (k)

orthodontist (starting Sept 2024) - 100 (c)

Interest Free loan for windows - 350 (k)

kindergarten until June 2026 - 80

6680

Income tax return will go towards family fun, Christmas/birthdays, allowance and big expenses. (5000 or so). 

As of 2026, my casual pick up income at ccmha will go towards vacation money

If we ever had to make the payments on the garage instead of Nathan it would be another $500 a month so I would pick up 2 extra shifts for that a month. If it comes to it. 

We need to put some money aside for fixing up the basement which really needs new concrete floors/walls.  And I pay $150 or so a month in babysitting. Oh goodness, the bills keep adding up but I am grateful for all that we have and for all that we have been able to do. 

side note

I like to think about budgets. If we were really in a pinch, a good budget would be:

mortgage - 1150

Auto/gas/maintenance- 650

Food - 1100

clothes- 50

personal care - 50

yearly expense account - 600

Car insurance - 200

utilities/phone - 700

student loan - 250

Kids resp - 50

school - 50

animals - 100

Interest Free loan - 350

orthodontist - 100

Kids activities/extra - 100

$5500