How I Organized My {Money + Kids} and Vice Versa-ORGANIZATION

It never fails, no matter what store we go into, my kids are going to find something they think they need.  It leads to a conversation that goes something like this, “Mom, you still haven’t paid me five dollars for giving the dog a bath.”  Followed by the other child chiming in with, “Hey, you still owe me too.”  As much as I hear that, you would think we have a squeaky clean canine.  Not so much.  I’m pretty sure I have paid for a few extra dog baths along the way.

That was just one of the issues that facilitated the need to address the cash flow.  The second was the desire to plan an extraordinary summer vacation.   The only way to do that is stay on track in the areas that money seems to evaporate from our wallets.  Mostly mine.  There I said it.  If only the big box craft store didn't tempt me with their 40% off coupon each week!

This idea for a budget board came to mind when my son gave me a hard time for not writing the next months activities on the dry erase calendar.  I always thought I was the only one reading it. I was wrong.  

The four categories that tend to go over budget are the ones featured on the budget board.  Each week, the receipts are reviewed and the money remaining is tabulated.  Prior to the weekend, I might add.  That is when the most damage seems to occur.  The truth is, I've tried the budget binder method.  I write it all down, keep track of it for a few weeks and then it just sits on a shelf.  Forgotten.  

 If I had to guess this artwork was probably hanging in a hotel room at one point!    One man's trash is another man's treasure.  

Once the frame was painted, I began designing the budget board.  I flipped over the picture that came with the frame and placed the contact paper on the backside to avoid having the picture show through. 

Next, I cut out all the shapes and printed the words on copy paper.  You can find the template here, Budget Board Template. I used the rough drafts to develop my layout.  An edit here and a trim there and Wa-lah!  Budget Board complete.

Thanks for visiting today!

Just for fun, I am linked up at: Delightful Order;Be Different Act Normal; Creations by Kara; Sumo's Sweet Stuff; Making the World Cuter; Skip To My Lou; Todays Creative Blog; Clean and Scentsible; Sew-licious; The Crafty Blog Stalker; Blissful and Domestic; Serenity Now; The Shabby Nest; Cheerios and Lattes; One She Two She; Its Overflowing; Young and Crafty; The Girl Creative; One Project Closer; I Heart Naptime; My Girlish Whims; Sugar and Dots Navy Wifey Peters; Sew Can Do; Keeping it Simple Crafts; Do Small Things with Love; Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Kathe With an E