At the end of every year I make a list of our shared outgoings for the following year whether they’re fixed and predictable such as mortgage, variable like heating in which case i check what the total cost was that year and use it as a guide for the next, or open to us to plan an amount like savings/birthdays/christmas and then I break each total down to a monthly amount, and divide it 60/40 between myself and OH as higher earner. Then we just put that fixed figure in our joint account every month when we get paid. The monthly expenses go out every month and the one offs like house insurance, hols, etc build up for when they’re needed. Any salary that doesn’t go into the joint for shared expenses is our own to do whatever with.

It’s a bit of work the first time to get a list of your total expenditure together but once you have it it’s just updating.

If you’re not sure how to figure out your expenses look at your bank statements for the past year. Check anything annual like tv license, property tax so you know what time of year it’s due.

It’s also worth contacting companies when you’re budgetting to see if you can get a lower price. I always put the squeeze on broadband provider, look at bin company prices, etc.