Thoughts about Money

As heard on KLBT 88.1

Money is one of the most difficult topics for single mothers and others who struggle to keep afloat. I hope this little list helps.

A Budget Format

BUDGET

Name: _____________________________       Month/Year ______/_______

Cash on hand: …………………………………………..         $ __________

Checking balance: …………………………………….        $ __________

Savings balance: ……………………………………….        $ __________

Income

Take home pay …………………………………………       $ __________

2^nd Job pay ………………………………………………..       $ __________

Child Support …………………………………………….      $ __________

Social Security …………………………………………..      $ __________

SSI …………………………………………………………….      $ __________

TANF …………………………………………………………     $ __________

CCMS …………………………………………………………      $ __________

Food Stamps ……………………………………………..       $ __________

Other …………………………………………………………      $ __________

Total Income Each Month                         $ ___________

Expenses (Expected to spend for the month)      Paid Monthly                                                            Total Owed

Tithe …………………………………………………….  $ ______________ 

Savings ………………………………………………..    $ ______________

Debt

Credit Card …………………………………………………..       $ ______________

Credit Card ………………………………………………………  $ ______________

School Loan ……………………………………………………     $ ______________

Loan from Family ……………………………………………     $ ______________

Loan from Friends ……………………………………             $ ______________

Traffic Tickets …………………………………………………      $ ______________

Insufficient funds fees …………………………………          $ ______________

Car repossessions ………………………………………              $ ______________

Bank accounts ………………………………………………           $ ______________

Pawn shops …………………………………………………             $ _____________

Other loan ……………………………………………………………     $ ____________

Debt (Subtotal) …………………………………………………..      $ ____________

Housing

Program Fee …………………………………………………………….   $ ______________

Storage Unit ……………………………………………………………..    $ ______________

Phone ……………………………………………………………………….    $ ______________

Other ………………………………………………………………………..     $ ______________

Housing (Subtotal) ……………………………………………………    $ ______________

Auto

Car payments ……………………………………………………………       $ ______________

Gas ……………………………………………………………………………        $ ______________

Maintenance …………………………………………………………….          $ ______________

License/stickers ………………………………………………………..          $ ______________

Auto (Subtotal) ……………………………………………………………      $ ______________

Insurance

Auto ………………………………………………………………………….                $ _____________

Medical …………………………………………………………………….                 $ _____________

Life ……………………………………………………………………………                $ _____________

Other …………………………………………………………………………               $ _____________

Insurance (Subtotal) ……………………………………………………           $ _____________

Household/Personal

Groceries ………………………………………………………………….                $ _____________

Lunches …………………………………………………………………….                $ _____________

Clothing …………………………………………………………………….                $ _____________

Hair ……………………………………………………………………………              $ _____________

Cosmetics ………………………………………………………………….               $ _____________

Laundry ………………………………………………………………………            $ _____________

Education …………………………………………………………………..               $ _____________

Other …………………………………………………………………………               $ _____________

Household/Personal (Subtotal) …………………………………..          $ _____________

Entertainment

Eating out ………………………………………………………………….                $ _____________

Movies/Events …………………………………………………………..               $ _____________

Video Rentals …………………………………………………………….               $ _____________

Entertainment (Subtotal) …………………………………………….          $ _____________

Professional Services

Childcare ……………………………………………………………………              $ _____________

Medical ………………………………………………………………………              $ _____________

Dental ………………………………………………………………………..               $ _____________

Prescriptions ………………………………………………………………            $ _____________

Other …………………………………………………………………………               $ _____________

Professional Services (Subtotal) ………………………………….          $ _____________

Miscellaneous ………………………………………………………………              $ _____________

Total Expenses for the Month………………………………………              $ ____________

Total Debt ………………………………………………………………………………..   $ ____________

Total Income for the Month ………………………………………………………   $ ____________

Total Expenses for the Month ………………………………………………….      $ ____________

Grand Total …………………………………………………………………..                 $ ____________

Related posts: 7 Steps for Managing Money, Never Enough Money?, Managing Money, a video

I am a Certified Professional Coach and I hold a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. I married Sam after raising three children as a single mother. I was an educator in regular and special education for twenty years, finishing my professional career as a Braille teacher. In 2007 I founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a nonprofit association whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered. My stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. My Website.