How to Build a Family Budget

**What is a budget?** A budget is how we decide what we will spend our money on, even in stressful times. **How can you design a family budget?**

**1. Find out if your community offers help.** * Your government may be giving money, or food parcels to families during COVID-19. * Ask if places in your communities are giving support. **2. Create a list of how much you spend now.** * Get a piece of paper and a pen. * The amount of money your family can spend on food and supplies can change every month. Write down how much money your family can spend this month! * Draw pictures of all the things you and your family spend money on each month. * Write next to each picture how much each thing costs, and how many of those items you need in one month. **3. Talk about needs and wants.** * Needs: which things are important or needed for your family to survive? (Examples: food, soap to wash hands, medicine for family members). **4. Build your own budget.** * Find a bag of stones or anything with lots of bits. This is your money for the month. * As a family, decide what pictures you will spend your money on, and put the stones on your picture. * If you can save even a little bit of money for the future or an emergency—it is great!

Thanks for reading! Click the link below to share your opinion on these parenting tips.