re: How do you and your SO budget?

I keep track of all our recurring spending (utilities, groceries, gas for the cars, etc). My wife is horrible with money so we simplified her spending by restricting it to charges on her VISA. I in turn, never buy anything with a VISA card. Therefore, my monthly VISA statement = all of her discretionary spending.

To maintain a consistent savings she is limited to 1,500 a month. If it comes out at 1,200 I say "Very good." She smiles.

If it comes out at 2,000 I say "Calm the frick down!" She says "OK, I'll do better."

We end up saving about 15% to 20% per month.