Using records such as receipts, your check book register, credit card statements, etc., jot down what your family usually spends each month for food, housing and the other categories listed. Finally, figure out the percentage of take-home pay you spend for each category. To do this, divide the amount in each category by the total amount of take-home pay and multiply by 100. There are also columns for all consumer units and the Midwest. There are going to be expense areas where you differ greatly from the guidelines.
All families are different and have different spending patterns.
Let's consider some of them. The amount and source of your income is important in determining how much of your paycheck goes for certain things. As income goes up, families spend a smaller portion of it on essentials, such as food and medical care, but may spend a larger portion for entertainment, clothing or personal items. Families who are self-employed, such as farmers, do not receive the employee sponsored benefits, such as medical care, that many other families receive. Depending on what your job is and where it is, you may spend more for clothing, education and transportation than someone else.