These days, even the most willy-nilly of spenders are using the b word. So grab a pay stub. How much do you take home after taxes and 401(k) contributions? Next, get your latest credit-card statements and bills to estimate what you're paying for what. Then use the worksheet below to set up your family's budget.
Click here or on the image below for a PDF of your new family budget, which lists typical expenses and allows you to set spending-goals based on what you spent last month.
TIPS
• Alexis Martin Neely, founder of "'Make it tangible," she says. "If they want a new video game, they won't get a new pair of shoes."
• Find tips for budget trips on our Going Places blog.
• Have your kids enjoy these three free games.
• We find the best cell phone plans for less at BillShrink.com.
• See how fuel-efficient your model is at HybridCars.com.
• Click here for 25 buy-in-bulk crowd-pleasers under $25.
• Check back for our weekly sales listings.
• Enjoy exclusive product discounts.
