budgeting - how?

[Funz]

I have a spreasheet that I started when I first started working. It is a spreadsheet that runs 12 - 18 mths so that I can plan ahead. Still using it now but I don’t look at it mthly. Usually whip it out when we are looking at major purchases or investments.


I am no accountant so the spreadsheet I use is very simple. It tracks my income, basic and variables, and I have all my fixed expenses indicated in there. Based on that I kinda budget my variable expenses and target the amount to be saved and to be invested.

DH doesn’t give me any allowances. What we have is a joint account that we use to take care of major household expenses like repairs and renos and holidays. Basic household expenses, well he pays some I pay some. We never bothered to sit down and say who pays what.

I have another simple spreadsheet that tracks my kids’ savings and investments. That one I am eyeballling to make sure that there will be enough to see them through at least local Uni.

We eat out, maybe, 1 or 2 meals a week. Most of the time it is home cooked but home cooked doesn’t mean cheaper. I have the habit of buying what catches my fancy without looking at price tags. There were many times where I feel that I am spending too much on groceries and try to cut back but I find it too tedious. So we are back to me buying whatever catches my fancy or my craving for the moment. And truth be told, my kids and I have rather expensive taste buds.

[daddy2007]

24hr-mum:

want to save money? dont order drinks. or just 1 to share. i usu avoid jap food, western food, tepanyaki etc unless my kid insist but i alwaz tel her its ex. esp if its pepper lunch

We didn't order any drinks most of the time and we drink from our water bottle that we bring out. Except when times that we are very thirsty or we run out of water.

When the child starts to have his/her own mind/thinking such as 3-years onwards, the child will want to \"order\" the food he/she wants to eat. So no more situation of ordering 2 bowls of food for 3 person (including the child) to eat. Sharing of food between an adult and a child is tough. I notice the portion served starts to get smaller and in the end the adult will not be full. So no choice 1 person 1 bowl. The child can't finish then the adult will eat the remaining

[24hr-mum]

if i go out wf kids, i nvr order wat i want. alwaz eat watever they left cos i eat anything but they dont. sigh…

[24hr-mum]

try to order those that can come in bigger portion. eg $4 instead of $3 that kind.

[hquek]

24hr-mum:

if i go out wf kids, i nvr order wat i want. alwaz eat watever they left cos i eat anything but they dont. sigh....

Same same. My kids are super fussy eaters and still quite young - so I'm the finisher of foods for them. It saves some money and I figure I save calories (rather than ordering my own food - and then have to see how to finish both).

[daddy2007]

24hr-mum:

if i go out wf kids, i nvr order wat i want. alwaz eat watever they left cos i eat anything but they dont. sigh....

same here. I try to let her choose her food first (which is always fishball/fishcake noodle) and I or my wife will finish the rest

[daddy2007]

24hr-mum:

try to order those that can come in bigger portion. eg $4 instead of $3 that kind.

Yup.. at times I do this too. Or to add additional $1 for extra rice or noodles

[vicki]

MummyThreeStreams:

Drinks are too expensive! And most are just empty calories. We bring our own water bottles. But DH and I do still indulge in teh-c siew dai occasionally.


My kids are ok with eating at hawker centres and coffee shops. And they usually ask for the cheaper stuff, like fishball noodles ($2.50) or chicken rice ($3). But not very nutritious. If i order 油采 it will cost another $3 at least...

I go foodcourt makan and thereafter go NTUC/ Cold Storage/ Giant to buy drinks for myself and dh -- the kids just drink water.

Same for restaurants too if not the HKG Cha Chan Teng type cos if there, i have a weakness for their milk tea!

[EASON MAGPIES]

Funz:

We eat out, maybe, 1 or 2 meals a week. Most of the time it is home cooked but home cooked doesn't mean cheaper. I have the habit of buying what catches my fancy without looking at price tags. There were many times where I feel that I am spending too much on groceries and try to cut back but I find it too tedious. So we are back to me buying whatever catches my fancy or my craving for the moment. And truth be told, my kids and I have rather expensive taste buds.

Some days you might have to chinchye eat.

I also have expensive taste buds but some meals now I really learn to chinchye especially now new baby arrived.

Also can console myself good to eat cheaper veggies sometimes more healthy. My biggest weakness is SEAFOOD !!

[24hr-mum]

i figured out the best way is to eat lunch at home (either hmcooked or tabao back) before going to shop. so in town, just need to hv snacks n tea breaks. cheaper.


if no choice hv to lunch in town, choose the cheaper thungs. avoid meat or teppayaki or jap food etc.
like very cham (poor thing) but no choice. i have 6 mouths!