How much money for a family of 4?

[betterthanrevenge]

How much money a month would you want left over after paying mortgage, bills, food and petrol every month? So to cover discretionary spending, fun money, savings, holidays (not essential but nice occasionally), one off bills, etc?

Thinking of moving house / job and not sure things are adding up!

Two adults and two pre schoolers.

This is our budget, so i suppose after bills and savings we live on 1300ish.

Me 3100
DP 4100
CB 280
Total 7480
Housing
Mortgage: 1900.
Insurances(life, house): 150
Total Housing: 2050
Utilities
Electricity 150
Waste collection: 30
Broadband & TV: 70
Mobile phones x3: 60
Total Utilities: 310
Food & Groceries
Groceries & household food: 500
Dining out / takeaways: 200
Total Food: 700
Transportation
Fuel: 250
Car insurance & tax: 150
Maintenance & NCT: 100
Public transport / Parking: 20
Total Transport: 520
Education & Kids
School books, uniforms, fees: 50
Activities, sports, clubs: 50
Pocket money/treats: 60
Total Kids & Education: 160
Entertainment & Lifestyle
Family outings, hobbies, gifts: 200
Subscriptions, books, etc.: 60
Miscellaneous expenses (haircuts,nails): 60
Personal spends: 200 x 2 = 400
Total Entertainment: 730
Savings & Miscellaneous
Emergency fund / Savings: 2,000
Holidays (monthly allocation): 500
Clothing: 200
Miscellaneous buffer: 300
Total Savings & Misc.: 3,000
TOTAL MONTHLY SPENDING: 7,480

Everyones budget is different. I would say before stretching yourself to consider how costs will differ as the kids get older - Yes you may be paying for nursery now but as they get older - clothes get more expensive / school uniform / after school club costs / extra curricular activities and all the kit needed / they eat more / holidays cost more etc etc.