Recreation
Eating out or takeout
Baby-sitters
Dates (movies, plays, concerts, sports)
Home entertainment (video rentals, CDs)
Health
Insurance premiums
Doctor
Pharmacy
Health club membership
Other (eyeglasses, massages, counseling, etc.)
Appliances and electronics (tv computer, answering machine)
Gifts
Charitable contributions
Interest on loans, bank charges, credit cards
Life insurance
Investments and savings (stocks, etc.)
Step 2: Manage Everyday Finances
- Write down every expense from the list above that you consider
essential for your sense of happiness and well-being. - Look carefully at your income and assets. Now try to create a
budget that allows you to manage everyday finances and other
"essentials" based on your means. - Come up with a plan for paying bills on a regular basis. Determine
who writes the checks and when, and who balances the checkbook. - Discuss your separate lists and plans with each other. Look for
common ground between your two approaches. Decide on a
workable strategy that allows both of you to meet your "essential"
needs.
Agree to sit down and revisit your plan in a few months to make sure
it's working for both of you.
Step 3: Plan Your Financial Future
- Imagine your life 5, 10, 20, or 30 years from now. What would be
your ideal circumstance? Think of things you want (house, and so on)