People ask us all the time how we afford life with six kids.
Sometimes I wonder too.
Groceries aren’t cheap. Gas isn’t cheap. Kids definitely aren’t cheap.
But over the years we’ve learned that budgeting isn’t really about deprivation. It’s about deciding where your money matters most.
Today I’m sharing a realistic example of what a monthly budget could look like for a family of eight living on one income.
Our Monthly Budget
Here’s a simplified version of how we allocate our money each month.
Housing
Mortgage: $2,200
Housing is by far our largest expense.
I’ve learned that if we can keep our housing payment reasonable, everything else becomes easier.
Utilities
Electric: $250
Water: $50
Internet: $90
Total Utilities: $390
There isn’t a lot of magic here. We turn lights off, keep the thermostat reasonable, and try not to overcomplicate things.
Transportation
Car Payment: $500
Car Insurance: $200
Gas: $500
Total Transportation: $1,200
With six kids, we spend a lot of time driving.
Between errands, activities, appointments, and family adventures, gas is simply part of life.
Food
Groceries: $1,200
This works out to about $300 per week.
We focus on simple meals, buying ingredients instead of convenience foods, and cooking at home most nights.
A typical week might include:
- Oatmeal breakfasts
- Sandwiches and leftovers for lunch
- Spaghetti
- Taco night
- Soup and bread
- Homemade pizza
- Breakfast for dinner
Nothing fancy.
Just food that fills eight hungry people.
Homeschooling
Curriculum and Supplies: $100
Some months we spend almost nothing.
Other months we buy books, science kits, art supplies, or curriculum.
I average it out over the year.
Fun Money
Entertainment and Family Activities: $200
We still prioritize making memories.
That might be:
- State parks
- Ice cream dates
- Movie nights
- Museum visits
- Beach days
Having a category for fun helps us enjoy life without feeling guilty.
Savings
Emergency Fund: $300
This wasn’t always part of our budget.
In fact, for years it wasn’t.
Now we try to save something every month, even if it isn’t a huge amount.
Small amounts add up over time.
What We Don’t Spend Money On
This is where budgeting gets easier.
We don’t spend much on:
- Daily coffee runs
- Expensive clothing
- Constant home decor updates
- Upgrading electronics
- Subscription overload
None of those things are wrong.
They’re just not priorities for us right now.
The Secret That Makes This Work
The biggest thing that helps us stay on budget is shopping less often.
Every time I run into Target for “just one thing,” I somehow leave $87 poorer.
The fewer stores I walk into, the more money stays in our account.
Simple, but surprisingly effective.
Our Goal Isn’t Perfection
Some months cost more.
Some months something breaks.
Some months groceries go over budget because six kids apparently eat every fifteen minutes.
That’s real life.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is making intentional decisions with the money we have.
And honestly, that’s been one of the biggest gifts budgeting has given our family.
Less stress.
More freedom.
And a lot more confidence that we’re moving in the right direction.
