Since this blog is all about managing your money, I like to share our monthly budget.
Here is how our budget looks right now:
- Mortgage – $900
- Roth IRA – $300
- Car Insurance – $125
- Gasoline – $185
- Electricity – $150
- Water – $30
- AT&T U-Verse & DSL- $115
- Cell Phones (2 smart phones and unlimited everything) – $140
- Housekeeper – $130
- Lawn Services – $50
- Netflix for Us – $10
- Netflix for Grandparents – $20
- Groceries – $350
- Fast Food / Restaurants – $150
- Misc. Bills – $125
- Toll Roads – $100
- Car and Home Account – $500
- Joint Entertainment – $50
- Hubby’s Fun Money – $100
- My Fun Money – $100
- Emergency Fund/Savings – $350
- Vacation Account – $50
- Tax Account for IRS and Property Taxes – $400
- Cash for Investments – $120
- Cash – $150
- Total Budget = $4700
That comes to $56,400 a year and we now make more than $107,500 jointly ($47,500 from my husband as a school librarian and $60,000 or more from my online income). Taxes, the pension, and benefits eat a big ol’ bite though.
Unplanned expenses that pop up on the budget are taken from the appropriate target accounts. Extra money from our hobby jobs (blogging and sports officiating) and leftover income is split between the Emergency Fund/Savings account (25%), the Extra Cash for Investments account (35%), the Vacation account (20%), and our two individual Fun Money accounts (10% each). You can also go over and see exactly How I Budget.
Before anyone asks, we donate our own fun money to the charities we love to support and that amount varies month-to-month. That is why you don’t see giving in our budget.
I am hoping to show through our story that a school librarian and a blogger can budget their money to pay for our needs, our future, and the fun stuff along the way. 
