Well, Sash has asked about my budget, and my groceries, and meal plans…well, I’m not sure that she really asked all of that, but I’m going to share any way. 

I’ll start this off by saying that there is no way that I’m going to be able to share everything I’d like to, in this post, so I’ll just start, and you’ll all have to come back if you choose to read the rest of it.  Sound Good???? M’Kay!

We’ve recently gone through an “awareness” in regards to our finances.  We were spending more than we were bringing in, and had no idea where all the money was going.  We’ve had some amazing wisdom spoken into our lives, and I’m am so grateful for it.

I would suggest that you keep track of EVERYTHING you buy.  EVERYTHING!!!  Keep/request every receipt – it’s hard to remember, at first, but gets easier as time goes on.  If you forget to get a receipt, then make up your own as soon as you remember.  If you set time aside every few days, or at least one a week to review your budget, and what you’ve spent, and track everything, it’s WAY easier than doing it every other week, one a month, or not at all.

I’ll hook up some links to my spreadsheets probably in the next post. 

Our overall family budget is split up between Jon and I.  I get $100 per person per month for groceries.  We have $50 for entertainment per month, and $50 for gifts per month.  I also have the Family Allowance that I receive for my kids every month.  Jon pays the bills, and is responsible for the gas for the vehicle. We are still working on our budget, and as such, still have holes.  We’re not perfect, and being that we are 2 different people with 2 different views on how to get stuff done – we are still working somethings out.  Currently, we don’t have money for haircuts or clothes for Jon and I.  I just cut Jon’s hair, and so that’s not going to cost us anything, and I think I can live without a hair cut at least until September – so hopefully I’ll have figured something out before then.  We will need to figure something out for the clothes, but we are both currently wearing clothes, and will live with out new ones, until we can afford to scrape together some expendable cash.  That’s getting away onto a bunny trail, and so I’ll try and reel myself back in.

I am currently responsible fore the Grocery fund, the Entertainment fund, the Gift fund, and the Family Allowance fund.  I’ll expand more on each of them in different posts.

The GROCERY Fund covers all consumable items from food, to toiletries, to household cleaners, etc.

The ENTERTAINMENT Fund covers any coffees we get, any videos we rent, and movies we choose to go and see, and dinners out we decide to enjoy.  As you can tell, $50 is not a lot for a whole month, and so we must choose carefully and wisely!

The GIFT fund, as it sounds, is responsible for any gifts.  Family, and close friends you can plan for, because you should know their birth dates, or anniversaries or special events.  The kids friends birthday’s are the unknown. 

The FAMILY Allowance is used on the kids and for the kids needs.  If you set this money aside, and use it only when it’s needed, it can be a huge help, and stress reliever.  No more worries when you have certain child related expenses pop up.

I have some other things that I want to talk about like multiple contingency funds, cash envelopes, debt reduction, and the big picture.  These are the things that we learned at the financial seminar that we went to, and bits of advice given to us by wise, WISE people.

I, by no means, am a expert at all this stuff.  I am just having fun while we are trying to limp our way our of debt, and eat well & healthy, and live relatively stress free while doing so.  If any of this can help you, then I am thrilled.

I’ll start with the Grocery Fund tomorrow.  Out of all the parts of the budget spending plan that I am working with, I think this one is the most fun.  You can do the most with this fund in regards to money spent, money saved, and creativity utilized.

I’ll organize my thoughts, and get back to ya!