If you have not noticed almost every store, is selling Halloween costumes. Some store even have started to Christmas decorations. Thanksgiving decorations are store shelves.

Next to the decoration the Holidays are memorable for the the time with family members. What makes that time with the family is the food.

One of my most memorable Christmas, was a little goat ranch in the coastal mountain range south of San Francisco. Meal planning start months in advance. Cooking of the meal was done in several kitchen from miles around. On Christmas Day dinner was assembled into a mouth watering display. To this day I remember the time together with family and friends, but the food played a big part of the time together.

How many times have Moms (and Dads) heard this from their children–day after day?  Mom, what are you making for us?   Parents everywhere work hard to provide their families with three hot squares every day.

When you have small children, they have no idea the effort and planning that goes into each meal, not only daily, but weekly and monthly!  They are too young to appreciate just how hard Mom really works to master this task.

Over the years, I have always liked to sit back and watch people. It did not matter if it was a the mall, fair, or in the local grocery store. When I take time to observe people I learn quite a lot, especially in the local grocery store.

I observe individuals shopping for one or two items. I observe couples buying for their weekly groceries. I observe families as they stock up on food and other household items.

What I rarely see is anyone with a detailed grocery list. I have only seen one or two people who are like me that takes a clipboard with them as they shop. Then there are only a few who have any kind of grocery list.

I do see some who have a little 3 by 5 inch of scratch paper with their grocery list on it. Then there others who are wondering around in a daze picking items off the  shelf and putting them in their shopping cart.

Having money the day before payday, and having money in a saving account is determined by living withing ones means. That is done by proper planning of a family budget. When it comes to planning a family budget, you will find a wide variety of methods.

My dad used a version of the mason jar method. The mason jar method is where every payday you cash your check. Then take all the cash home. Once home you put the cash in various mason jars that are labeled according to the bill that need to be paid.

There were jars for rent, groceries, gas and etc. Any money that was left was what dad spent on entertainment and treats.

Considering today’s technology, the use of old canning jars seems a bit elementary not to mention old fashion. By doing a Google search, you may overwhelmed with all the tools and information to help with planning your finances.

The first step in planning a family budget is knowing the family income. You can never have more money going out than what is coming in. This little fact is gets so many people in trouble. Going to McDonald’s for lunch when there is only enough money for peanut butter and jelly sandwich can create financial troubles.

I like to know what other people in my area are spending. The Economic Policy  Instuitute is a good place to start. A family of 3 in Boise Idaho is broken down as follows:

Want to known the rest of the story? Want to know the real cost of taking a school lunch?  Just log-in as a member.

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Boise City-Nampa, ID HUD Metro FMR Area Two Parents, One Child

Then comes a time of gathering information. The chances to keeping a family budget decreases dramtically if it is unrealistic for that family. Receipts, and pay stubs will make building a realistic budget much easier.

Then I recommend using an Excel spreadsheet, or Quicken or an online program for entering all the information. Consumer Credit Counseling‘s has a great detailed calculator. The more the detailed helps make the budget more realistic. resulting in better chances of staying in budget.

Credit FYI has a calculator that will help give you a range in what you can spend. Realize these numbers a recommended highs and lows. Some categories will be on the high end others will be on the low end.

In closing, keep good records, keep all family members accountable, and be realistic.