[pennywise]

Budgeting analyzes the income and output of family money. The first step - income. I do it on a payday basis. Next, must sit down for all output. I do not do a budget like recommended adding clothes, gifts, etc. I put down the knowns: gas, elec, food, car ins., house taxes, water, trash pick up. Must think of all of them because some will slip your mind. Look through last years checks and credit statements. I used to do it on paper but use the computer now. Calculators make mistakes somehow and computers don't. After you see the necessities you can add the extras if you want. Best to do a year ahead so you can see the weaknesses and strenghts to plan for them. Like, car ins is biannual, taxes biannual, etc. Those get forgotten. Have her over daily to read this with you and brain storm. Always remember NEEDS VS. WANTS. She must learn to balance the check book. There are local agencies if you qualify that can teach this, check with the local social services if you want. But, we will help. Ask the questions.