Families Taking Charge: Setting Spending Priorities

Author: Irene Leech, Extension Specialist, Consumer Education, Virginia Tech, with the assistance of Don Cloud

Publication Number 354-100, June 1996

Monthly Spending Plan

Month _____________  19__

Before Income Was
Reduced
Adjusted Amount
Step 1--Your Income (Take Home)*
Salary, wages$$
Unemployment Compensation$$
Other$$
A. Total Monthly Income$$
Step 2--Monthly Expenses
Housing--mortgage or rent payment$$
Utilities--electric, gas, phone, etc.$$
Food--at home and away$$
Transportation--gas, car repairs$$
Medical Care--doctor, dentist, hospital$$
Credit Payments--loans, health, car, property$$
Household Operations and Maintenance--repairs, cleaning supplies, etc.$$
Clothing and Personal Care--clothes, laundry, toiletries, etc.$$
Education and Recreation$$
Miscellaneous--child care, gifts, allowances$$
Savings and/or funds set aside for seasonal and occasional expenses$$
B. Total Monthly Expenses$$
Step 3--Balance Income and Expenses
Total Monthly Income (A) $________ = $________ Total Monthly Expenses (B).

*Because most bills are monthly, it's easiest to look at income and expenses on a monthly basis. Multiply weekly income by 4.33 and bi-weekly income by 2.17 to convert them to monthly amounts.

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