A really good family budget?

getmore4less

Don't look at what's in the accounts, where the is money does not matter when budgeting properly.

it's all about the tracking what's in the plan and what has been spent

Whatever tracking tool you use should tell you how much of the budget/plan is left for each category and manage cash flow.

you have to look long term minimum is a years worth of income/spends/savings/debt reductions

get the free copy of MSmoney of the MS site it has everything in one tool but does take a bit of setting up.

Once you get out of the habit of spending to the account and just following the plan you can do it with one account

foxgloves

It's all about finding a system which works for you. We have 1 current account into which all income is paid. We have 2 savings accounts, one of which is used for saving up for things (currently a new bathroom) & one for our emergency fund. I budget for all our regular monthly bills, £250 for groceries, then £60 personal spending money each month for partner & I. Then I have 6 Piggies (big envelopes with shiny pink pigs on the front!) - These are paid as follows: Car maintenance £50, Household stuff £30, Clothes £40, Holidays £40, Leisure/Entertainment £20, Presents £20. The Piggy money can be left to build up i e to pay for a holiday or big car service or spent as needed i. e Might need a bag of compost, lightbulbs, batteries, towels etc from Household Piggy or a couple of birthday cards from Presents Piggy. I started the Piggies last year & they are definitely helping because I can see exactly what money is available for each category. If we spend more than is available in a particular Piggy, then I know that is a budget overspend which I'll have to make up from somewhere else & that if this becomes a regular event, we will risk a slow slide back into debt. It's all about finding what works for you & getting to feel confident with it.