I'm the Minsiter for Finance here! lol.  Hubby gets $500 a fortnight for groceries, as well as his study allowance, and the rest is mine to pay the bills and do other shopping.  Works well, and we've not had any stuff ups or major stress since I took over the finances (she types looking at hubby over the top of the computer as if to say 'you are not going to be allowed to stuff up again!' lol).

We have a target account where we put money into every fortnight.  This money can't be touched until it reaches a certain amount, which is a huge help. 

I was keeping a record of everything in a account records book, but lost the plot with it.  might have to give excel ago, especially as the version I have already has a home finances template.

In my home I am the one that takes care of the bills.  I guess with my personality it is a must.  I have to know what is in the checking account so I can know what I can spend.  Every month I write out what bills I am expecting.  My husband knows his schedule before time so I figure out how much money will be coming in.  If I see that things are a bit tight that month I make sure that I go easy on any extra expenses.  I put a lot of my purchases on a credit card but I pay it off completely every month.  If the budget looks tight that is usually the place I can make up the difference.  I put off any purchases of clothing, household items, etc. until the money is in the budget.  As the month goes on I can check my credit card balance on-line to make sure that we are on track.  We have never come up short yet. 

If there is a month when we have extra money in the budget I go ahead and spend a little cautiously.  When I get that out if my system I put the extra aside for when the money short.  I recently got my income tax return in.  We are getting a decent amount back.  I am planning a full day out for just my husband and I.  The rest is getting tucked away for paying my homeowners insurance as well as my property taxes in July.  (Taxes here in Connecticut are putrageous.  One of the many reasons why we want to move).

Looking at the budget one month at a time really helps me to keep track of things becuase most of the bills come in on a monthly basis.

Good topic!

Yes, we have to keep track of every cent that we get, so I know exactly what money goes where!

Naturally, the most money goes on the mortgage, the childrens activities come a close second, bills, and then food and petrol . . . we never get to go to the movies or eat oyt these days, but I'm not complaining, as my children have a full, active life, and are loving every minute of it!!

money just annoys me, it's easier the less you have believe it or not... currently we have none... bus to work from scrounged change cause of no pertol and alike... no matter covered the little important things and not worried about the big not important things cause we cant afford them now anyway. kids are fed, our  work clothes are washed and there is milk for a cuppa and toilet paper. being piss poor every 3rd-4th week is not too bad. kinda puts things in perspective and lets me eat my fav noodles for a week YAY! rich people should try it LOL!

being on a disability pension and having a carers pension and the ftb as the only income we have a tight budget so after our weekly food and all bills we dont have anything left apart from the $10 a week I put away in the just in case fund.

But just having my daughters birthday and all the stuff she got was like, mmmmm she dont need MORE dolls. should of sent a letter to ppl, she needs clothes. LOL

Umm...  I don't. Seriously, I need someone to take over my finances for me. I can do it, plan a budget, manage money well, etc; but I have a shot memory and I keep forgetting to pay things and buy stuff I should, so anything I do work out just falls apart after a few bill cycles.