Make-it-work has been my motto for... forever. I raised, clothed and fed two children with an income far below the poverty line, and there was no budget, there just was or there wasn't. Period. Sometimes we had 30$ for food for the week, and other times we had 75$, it all depended on what bills came up, what needed to be paid and what could wait.

Over the years, my income expanded but the make-it-work philosophy stuck. The problem is, I never adjusted to setting up a budget. When you are living below the poverty line, sometimes as much as 75% of your income can go to food and lodging! Possibly more! So now, 75% of my income would be way too much, and not a very smart place to allocate income.

Thus, last week, we sat down with a financial adviser and worked out a rough draft of a budget. What we spend on groceries and restaurants was one of the most rude awakenings I have ever experienced! No wonder I am overweight!

In any case, with a rough idea of what we should be spending, we are determined to track every cent that leaves our pockets and lands in our tummies.

Our estimated grocery budget is at 600$ per month and our entertainment and eating out budget is at 500$ per month. Hopefully, we can stick to it! So far, for June, we are on track, haven't dined out yet at all, and have only spent about 150$ on groceries.