I have a leak in my budget, time to seek and distroy

[mommy4ever]

ok, so how much should be left in the first 2 checks after the big payments come out, and other budgeted amounts? Can you set that aside right away, if you fall short, it's there, and you'll see what area is short and you can adjust your budget accordingly.

[Cricketlegs]

Let me give you a run down... this is the check on the 1st

House 553
car insurance 228(my car plus step dds car--she is 18 and her car is new)
cell phones 220(yes I know, dh has an iphone and we have 4 people on the plan and we pay extra for unlimited texts as 3 out of 5 of us are hearing impaired and some can't use the phone as a phone)
1st fuel for car 30
1st dd lunches 20
1st dh allowance 25
1 and 2 dh meds 15

total $1091--I won't quite have it in a complete check so the money has to come from what is left from the previous month the 15th

Commision--around the 8th usually between 1300 and 1500 depending on the month.

car 400
cc 300
kirby 68
atmos gas bill estimated @100(during summer it is about $30)
water 56
med 3 and 4 30
dh allowance #2 25
phone/net 80
dtv 90
dds lunches 20(or 40) depends on how much money is left.
electric estmated $100(during winter it is about $45) The gas and electric bill tend to move up and down at the same time and catch each other up


usually at this point I don't need gas for car yet.

total $1299---sometimes there is nothing left, sometimes there is $200. It depends.

Finally we have the 15th

dh last allowance 50
grocery 150
stockpile 150
pet stockpile 100
hba stockpile 50
fuel for car 30

$530 total

1000-530= 470(+200 if com is larger)= $670-91(from the 1st)=$579.00

last month I managed to save almost $500 so I guess I don't have a leak, I just need more of a slush fund for what isn't in the budget.

My goal for savings is $400 for the month of March.

Dh said the month was not good so March will probally be a lower com with no 2nd com.

[ladytoysdream]

Hi cricketlegs,

QUOTE- Dh said the month was not good so March will probally be a lower com with no 2nd com. / end QUOTE.

Do you have a plan B if your hubby gets NO commission check and it continues on ? I think you said in another thread he works in the car industry and right now for some people that is a scary place to be.


My hubby gets OT in the winter, but it is never part of our budget for regular ongoing bills. We use it for things we need and then pay cash for. Like we just bought next winter's wood supply, and he bought a used chainsaw. He also wants a cart to pull behind his tractor which is now being saved up for.

[Cricketlegs]

he will always get his first main commision. The reason i don't count the second one is because of how the economy is now. That way I am always covered and if we do get a second comm. it is just icing on the cake.