Prices and costs can vary widely from projected levels. Household expenditures are small when compared to farm expenses. Many farm couples find it difficult to control family living expenses when they spend large amounts for the farm businesses. Housing expenses are often lower than for non-farm families. Food expenditures may be lower than for non-farm families.
Family living from the farm-meat, vegetables, and fruits can cut grocery bills considerably.
However, in families with a lot of in-town activities, there may be a considerable amount of food eaten away from home, adding greater expense to the food budget. Insurance and health costs are usually higher. There is typically no employer to pay a portion of the insurance premiums. Farm and home compete for surplus cash. It is often difficult to determine whether to reinvent farm business profits back into the farm business or to make expenditures on the home or the family.