February Budget

Well, how's this for transparency? Here's my February budget. It is done in percentages. Why? Well, because it makes me more aware of the money. I like slashing these numbers, lol.

Total Income: 100%

Rent: 33.53%
Car: 6.72%
Geico: 1.90%
Time Warner: 1.82%
NYSEG: 2.73%
Hulu/Netflix: .41%
Squaretrade: .34%
Cell Phones: 2.19%

So, there's our standard, every month, can't be adjusted bills.

Seth: 4.8%
Miranda: 2.4%
House: 3.65%

That's our "spending" money. It's basically the cash we use for discretionary spending. Fun money, stuff for the kids, if I break a dish or whatever. This is also non-negotioable, and a system that works well for us, and gives us each some control over "our own" money. This month, "house spending" goes to cloth diapers and essential oils.

Groceries: 14.6% this month (we're due for a huge pantry restock)
Gas: 6.09%

So, what's left? 18.64% And that goes to pay more on credit cards. 4.11% will pay yet another one completely off. Then we just continue working on down the list.

The issue here is rent, clearly. And we found a place that will save us about $400/month. We move in May.



Now, my budget does need tweaking. We want a maintenance fund. Cash always on hands for vehicle repairs, medical deductibles, and so on. I have seen budgets that separate each little category out ($75 for car, $50 for this, $100 for that) and I'll be honest- I'm not that organized. For me, $2500 in a savings account is all we need. If we need to use it, the next month, we pay minimums on everything until it's replenished.

So, there it is. The last 5 categories will be pulled from the bank, in cash, on Friday. Then there's no way to overspend.