The Rules!!

Step One: A list of "spendable" items

• All standard bills:
  
  • Mortgage
    
  • Insurance
    
  • Car payment
    
  • Credit cards – until paid off
    
  • Utilities
    
    • Gas
      
    • Electric
      
    • Sewer
      
    • Water
      
    • Internet/cable – internet is not negotiable, cable is
      
  • Phones
    
• Gasoline
  
• Car repairs
  
• Groceries
  
  • Food from grocery store – organic is allowable
    
  • Walgreen's "game" can be started
    
  • Household cleaners
    
    • Preferred to purchase ingredients that can make homemade cleaners
      
  • Personal care items
    
    • Deodorant, shampoos, razors, toothpaste, makeup (as needed)
      
• Personal care:
  
  • Facials can be kept
    
  • Haircuts every six weeks, color every 8 weeks
    
• Dinner out only at suggestion of Ryan – no encouraging him!
  
• Entertainment only out at suggestion of Ryan
  
  • (See fabric/yarn rule below)
    
• Trips may be taken
  
  • Try to use timeshare when possible, or stay with people we know
    
  • Camping is okay also
    
• No gifts may be purchased
  
  • Exception is for Ryan on Birthday, Anniversary and Christmas. Limit $25 per occasion.
    
• School items can be purchased
  
  • Supplies for projects
    
  • Books if needed    
    
• Fabric for sewing & yarn for knitting – only at extreme discount or with 50% off coupon – no more than once per month (total, either/or)
  
• Clothing, if it cannot be made, may be purchased under extreme circumstances when a true need exists – must be approved by Ryan.
  
• Medical needs, of course
  
• Work conferences and trips – spending kept to a minimum; rules should be adhered to as much as possible
  
• **If anything has been left out it may be added to the list with the approval of Ryan
  

 

Step Two: A list of "non-spendable" items

• Things not listed above J
  
• Starbucks – exception: one per month is allowable
  
• Decorating projects
  
• Scrapbooking stuff
  
• Computer programs (exception would be something necessary for taxes … Turbo Tax, etc.)
  
• Books – please go to the library J
  
  • Personal enrichment books can be purchased if not at the library, when necessary (i.e. Bible studies, etc)
    
• Movies
  
• CD's
  
• MP3's
  
• **Many things may be added to this list!
  

 

Step Three: The Budget

The budget shall include a weekly allowance for both Ryan and Sarah. Lunches will be made at home and taken to work, or "groceries" purchased at the beginning of the week. Ryan and Sarah will be given a cash allowance of $20 per week. Ryan will get a gasoline stipend each week, Sarah's will be once per month (taken from monthly gasoline budget; exceptions allowable when necessary). The envelope system shall be used as much as possible, and definitely for the following items: groceries, weekly allowance, gasoline, and all items that are "purchase-able". Credit cards will be left at home in a special place and not removed. We're paying off, not adding to!

These are what I hope to be a good outline of the year to come. :)