If you are self-employed, seasonally employed, or receive income from tips or commissions, your family income may change a lot from month to month. In that case, look ahead and carefully estimate your income. It may be helpful to estimate your income for a whole year so you can see when and how much it changes.

Even though your income may change from one month to the next, many of your living expenses are the same each month. This mismatch of income and expenses creates uncertainty that can cause feelings of insecurity and increase family tension.

Reduce this uncertainty by establishing a monthly family living allowance. Use expenses you identified as part of your spending plan to determine your monthly living allowance or what it costs your family to live each month.

When you receive income, deposit a major portion of it in a special savings or money market account where it will earn interest but still be readily available. Then, each month, pay yourself by withdrawing the amount of your family living allowance and put it into your checking account to pay your bills.

By using a simple family account book, you can keep track of your spending so you stay within your family living allowance. Avoid the temptation to spend more money in the months when your income is greater.

A family on a seasonal or irregular income may want to schedule some major expenses such as insurance premiums, clothing purchases, and non-emergency medical and dental care to coincide with times when more income is anticipated.