Creating a budget matrix is one of the easiest ways to delegate where your money is going. By creating a chart, you will be able to see firsthand exactly how much of your budget is going to each spending category, which can help prevent over-spending. Use a budget matrix to track spending on your non-essential items, after all essential items are paid.

Make a list of expenses that are important to you, but not essential for living. For example, you may include such things as sports, date nights, religious items, clothing--whatever you deem necessary.

Create a table on a piece of paper. Make sure the table has one row for each of the selected areas you listed in Step 1. Create one extra column for each of the family members in your household and one extra row to include the titles.

Place each of the expenditure items in the top row of the chart, and family members' names in the first column.

Write a "Total" category below the last name on your matrix. This row will include the total amount delegated to a specific column. For example, if you have "Clothing" in your budget matrix, you would include your total of budgeted amounts for clothing at the bottom of the "Clothing" column.

Divide the total amount of money in your budget according to number of family members. If you are living with three children and each gets $50, you would write that amount next to each of their names in that column.

Calculate the total amount entered in the column to make sure it is the same as the total you have written in the last row.

Tip

Use a computer program such as Excel to create your table. The chart will look neater and also be easier to change or update.