A couple with no children can’t be called a family yet until they have a kid or children.  When they become a family budgeting will start to be an issue when the kids start to go to day care or school.  There are expenses that were not much of concern before school age because it would only be clothes and food that are needed by them.

Mothers are most often the best when it comes to family budgeting.  They attend to everything that is needed around the house.  It is rare for men to do the budgeting.  Women are concerned on food, clothing, laundry, grooming the kids, dish washing, house cleaning and fixing up the inside of the house.  Men would hardly even tend to a garden or yard.

Setting priorities

The main concern in budgeting is having food on the table for every meal.  Usually having food in stock that will last for a week is best.  In places where people do not have the time to go home for lunch, a budget is also necessary for everyone to get a decent lunch wherever they are.  Gone are the good old days when lunch boxes are prepared before leaving for work or school.

So food gets the first priority.  Second will be clothing, followed by grooming and sanitation then transportation.  Next to those will be household implements that might need to be replenished on a monthly basis in the likes of soap and toothpaste.

Amusement and entertainment

Extra expenses are also required for amusement and entertainment for the family.  They could be costs when engaged in sports, video and music CDs, movies, internet and TV cable subscription.  Most often expenses of this kind are not included in budgeting.  Extra money is often used for this type of expenses.

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