The Sorted Dad

Budgeting doesn’t need to be overwhelming, time-consuming, or something you put off until your bank balance says “no” on a Friday night. If you’re a busy parent with too much on and too little left at the end of the month, this guide is for you.

Here’s how to build a realistic, flexible DIY budget — one you’ll actually stick to — without faffing with fancy apps or complicated spreadsheets.

1. 

Work Out What You’ve Got Coming In

Before you start slicing costs, you need to know what you’re working with. Tally up all income sources:

• Salaries (after tax)
• Child benefit
• Side hustles or freelance work
• Anything else that hits your account monthly

Write down your average monthly income total. This is your foundation.

2. 

List Your Fixed Essentials First

Next, grab a notepad, your banking app, or even the back of an envelope, and list out your essential expenses:

• Rent or mortgage
• Utilities (energy, water, council tax)
• Broadband & mobile
• Nursery or school fees
• Debt repayments
• Insurance (home, car, life)

Be honest — and don’t round down. Use real figures.

3. 

Then Add Variable Living Costs

Now the flexible stuff:

• Groceries
• Fuel
• Eating out
• Kids’ clothes and extras
• Family days out
• Subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, etc.)
• Gifts and birthdays

It’s easy to miss things here, so check last month’s statements to make sure nothing slips through.

👉 Also read: How I Cut My Monthly Family Food Bill by £150 Without Eating Rubbish

4. 

Break It into Buckets

Simplify your categories into 4–5 main “buckets.” Here’s one I use:

Bucket	Examples
Essentials	Mortgage, energy, council tax, childcare
Living Costs	Groceries, petrol, school meals
Fun & Flex	Meals out, birthdays, soft play, spontaneous buys
Savings & Safety	Emergency fund, sinking fund, debt overpayments

This approach helps you track trends without micromanaging every penny.

5. 

Set a Target for Each Bucket

Now allocate your income into those buckets. If you earn £3,000/month:

• Essentials: £1,700
• Living costs: £700
• Fun & Flex: £300
• Savings: £300

You may need to tweak these over time — start with rough targets based on what you currently spend, then adjust.

6. 

Use the ‘Two Account Trick’

This is the game-changer: separate your bills and spending money.

• Account 1: Bills and fixed costs. All direct debits come from here.
• Account 2: Weekly spending (groceries, fuel, day-to-day)

Each payday, transfer the exact budgeted amount into the second account. When it runs out, you’re done for the week. No overdrafts. No surprises.

7. 

Build in a Buffer

Leave yourself a buffer for the unexpected:

• Boiler breaks
• Nursery invoice mix-up
• Toddler ruins another pair of shoes

Even £100/month of slack will stop you dipping into savings every time life throws a curveball.

💪 Want to build better habits across your life? 10 Realistic Fitness Wins for Tired Parents That Actually Boost Energy

8. 

Track Once a Week, Not Every Day

Don’t turn your budget into a second job. Once a week (I do Sundays), check:

• Did you overspend in any category?
• Any surprises coming up next week?
• Do you need to rebalance between buckets?

A quick check-in keeps it sustainable.

9. 

Use a Tool That Fits Your Style

You don’t need to download anything if pen and paper works for you. But if you do like tech:

• Monzo or Starling let you set spending pots
• Emma and Snoop track budgets automatically
• A Google Sheet or notebook still works just fine

Just pick something you’ll stick with.

10. 

Make It a Team Sport

If you share finances, don’t try to own the whole system solo. Once your budget is drafted:

• Share it with your partner
• Get feedback or spot missed costs
• Agree on spending rules together

This avoids resentment and creates shared goals.

🧠 If you struggle to switch off from work mode too? How I Switched Off My Work Brain After Hours

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Improve Later

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about getting clarity, staying in control, and putting your money where it actually matters to you. Start small. Review monthly. And build from there.

It’s not restrictive — it’s freeing.