Adult "allowance"
Do you give yourself or your significant other an "allowance?" We've been playing with our family's budget for several months now, and each month I'm seeing places we need to add a little or take a little. One thing we've found we need is for both of us to get an allowance, outside of our family's entertainment budget. Occassionally my husband likes to stop off for a candy bar and sometimes I just really crave a fountain Coke! :) So I think it would be good for us to have a little of our own spending money each month.
How much do you give yourself or your spouse for an allowance, and what kinds of things is it to be used for?
allowance
We give each other $30.00 a week. That way, if we want something small we can pay cash rather than using the debt it card. We dont always spend it, especially myself but it is nice to have knowing we have cash should we want anything. We live by a budget but we dont want to deprive ourselves of little treats now and then.
Budget
I know that there have been budget postings on this site before. I'm trying to sit down with my boyfriend so we can set a budget. Where is the best way to start? Do you use a certain computer program? Or make your own charts? I'm so overwhelmed I dont even know where to start.
1st
I would first start by marking down all your expenses like elctricity, phone, cable, gaz, grocery etc then put down all extras like haircuts, nails, movies, outside dinners/lunch etc do this for 2months so you can have a good idea where your money is going- if you are really concistent then in a month you will have a good idea where you are. I have a computer worksheet that I can send you via e-mail, just pm me if wanted :)
Yes we do
We do have an allowance for ourself- my husband get $40dollars a week and this include for lunch outside the office and I get $30. Just nice to know that you have a little "something" : ) It help to not pass your budget.
Really?
$30 - $40 a WEEK? Each? Is that simply spending money for anything?
Right now, we both get $15 a month! If my husband chooses Starbucks one morning over making coffee at home, it comes out of his budget. If I want a latte at Panera on the days I take my laptop and go work, I pay out of my budget. If my husband wants to grab lunch out rather than have me pack him lunch, he uses his money. I know it's not alot, but in all, it's $30 a month that is simply "fun" money. Aside from that, we have a $100 budget for the family entertainment or eating out, etc. If we go over our $15, we may think twice before spending on something, knowing it will come out of the family's fun money!
So what else would you guys have to use your own money for?
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
I use it...
I use it for a manicure, pedicure sometimes or haircut but I have long hair so only once every 3 months I will cut them. I buy lunches for my friends/family, some "special" treat for my son, the Birthday gifts or even plants. I paid last month my mops membership Oups my scarpbook supplies goes in there also and this goes really fast :)
We have also a entertainment/eating out budget for the family.
makes sense
Thanks for clearing that up! It makes more sense now :) We have a budget already set up for haircuts, birthdays, landscape & yard maintenance, so it sounds like we are about right at $15 a month for just fun money for each of us. Thanks!
Jessica
~ Mommy to Luke and Shawn
Wow!!
All i can say is wow. you guys are good on your budgets. I have tried to sit down and discuss one with my husband, but he says we don't need one. So we just pay our bills and spend whatever is left after putting some in savings and stuff. I could not make it on $15 dollars a month. Nate works construction and takes out $20 a week for lunch and pop or whatever, and i use the debit for lunches when i am at work 1-2 days a week. When i look at the bank account and see all the useless spending on pops or candy it is a little sickening, so that has helped me to buy less and shop a lot less too. Nate doesn't really buy a lot either, but don't let him loose in Lowe's...haha I like the idea of a budget, but i don't like "feeling constricted" with money at the same time. If it works for you, great!!
We Do It
We do the allowing of the allowance. It helps us feel like we can stop for that fountain drink or candy bar and not feel we are using the "family budget money". It's not much, we do it monthly. It's almost my way of saving up money for an extra Christmas present for my husband he doesn't have a clue about! We find about every 6 months we have to toy with our budget as well. Things change over time. But... I think an allowance is great for us adults. Helps keep us better on track!
Joni Lochtefeld
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