CALMAN BUDGET CALCULATOR
Own tenancy

This is a budgeting tool to help you work out your incomings and outgoings. It is designed to help you think about all the costs you have and where you can make savings. If some of the fields don't apply to you then put in a zero. Use Windows Notepad to make a list of other costs. You can use this in a monthly format or a weekly format (or even a yearly format if you wanted), as long as you keep it consistant.

Income

Wages:
Tax Credits:
Job Seeker's Allowance:
Income Support:
Employment Support Allowance:

Outgoing

-In Your Home-
Mobile Phone: Find a network and tariff that best suits your needs. Get people to phone you if they can.
TV Licence: Put money away each week towards your next bill (if you can afford it). Find the best payment method for you e.g direct debit. To find out the options go to www.tvlicence.co.uk
Internet: Find the cheapest provider for your area and don’t use more than you should.
House Phone: Only use it at cheapest times, which is usually from 6pm.
Cleaning Products/Cleaner: Use vinegar and water to clean most things or if you don’t want to do that get a multi purpose cleaner that does floors, sides etc.
Electricity: Save electricity by turning everything of at the wall instead of leaving it on standby - even during the day. Only boil the amount of water needed. Use less power consuming appliances and electronics such as fluorescent bulbs.
Gas: Save gas by setting the timer so it only comes on when needed. Put an extra jumper on instead of turning the heat up and close the curtains to keep the heat in.
Water: Apply for benefit to see if you are able to receive help. Also choose the best method of payment.
Council Tax: Apply for benefit to see if you are able to receive help. Also choose the best method of payment.
Food Shopping: Plan menus and don’t buy stuff you don’t really need.
Alcohol: Drink less, or stop drinking altogether.
Cigarettes: Try to cut down, or go to your doctor for help and advice.
Other:
-Family-
Nappies/Baby Extras: Own brand makes are just as good but cheaper. sometimes buying things like nappies and wipes in bulk saves money.
Child Play Groups: If you are getting working tax credits then you should be getting some of the fee’s paid, as long as your child is with a registered childminder. Your local library should have information on playgroups. There may be small charge or all the local parents could take it in turn and have a play date at each others house.
Other:
-Clothes, Health and Beauty-
Haircuts: Check out prices for the cheapest. Try to go a little longer in between cuts.
Beauty Treatments: If it’s treatments such as waxing then you why not try it at home?
Work Clothes: Depending on the job you could use your old clothes or get new stuff from Tesco or Primark etc.
New Children's Clothes: Tesco, Asda, Primark have a good selection of children’s clothes for cheap prices.
New Clothes: Tesco, Asda etc. have a good selection of adults clothes. Places like New look always have good sales on.
Other:
-Big One Offs-
Sofa/Kitchen/TV: Shop in charity shops such as Newstart or ask around to see if anyone is selling or giving away.
Birthdays: At the start of the year try and plan what you want to get people and shop in the sales.
Christmas: Put some money away each week to save up and/or shop in the sales.
Other:
-Bits and Bobs-
Newspapers and Magazines: Borrow from friends or watch the TV.
Other:
Totale Income:
Total Outgoings:
Amount left over: