Some of the information below is part of a forum post I made, once I started writing I decided I wanted to make it a blog post. I also am adding more information here to expand on Budget part of this post.

I use 3 checks a month. One to pay Rent, one to transfer money from one account to another(Due to technical reasons this can not be done electronically), the last cheque is used to pay my tithe.

The really funny thing is that I have very limited access to cash(My bank account is in a bank that I do not have physical bank or ATM access-without fees), so I use my credit card for just about everything.

Funny thing is the suggestion from "Dave Ramsey" to use cash, it hurts more, therefore spend less. This would not really work with my brain, or it might. Once the money is no longer in my bank account I sort of view it as spent, therefore I tend to spend it until it is gone. Using credit card is my way of seeing exactly what I spend in the month, long term tracking as well. It hurts way more to have to give up $400(this is my average monthly spending) all at one time, rather then in small pieces.

$400 dollar average spending does not include Utilities, Utilities come directly out of my checking account. I budget approximately $100 for food and $100 for gas for my car. In other words I am over spending by $200 per month, but I really have no intentions of cutting back.(Oh just realized there is $100 for my cell phone that is also included in my $400, so really only spending $100 extra somewhere). Took a look at actual spending for the month. Spent $225 at walmart(about $75 to $100 on buying a few videos and some supplies to start quilting-a log cabin quilt), $75 on gas. Still I did spend exactly $400 this month.

Yes I could likely cut back cell phone plan, just don't feel like cutting the convenience of what I have. There is a certain amount of freedom of not worrying about minutes spent on phone, Data is set at a reasonable level(admit this is needed only when do not have wifi always avaliable). Have unlimited long distance, not much local calls made.

My Utilities cost me $250 per month. I can not change this number, #1 it is for home base(house currently being rented by guys). $100 for electricity, $100 for Gas, $50 for water-Sewage-Garbage. Weird enough Gas and Electricity average out to $100 each per month, not on equalized payments.

Rent for me is $400 per month.

A certain amount is donated to a Bible Camp that I help financially support.

I then put half of what is not spent from paycheck towards prepaying my Mortgage. The other half of what is leftover goes towards savings. Yes, there will be certain months where I vary the percent sent to mortgage versus savings.

I have no intention of telling you the amount I give to camp, or what I am saving per month.

I am still thinking on idea of when to move back to home base(the house I own). The current plan is to see what I am thinking about moving back at the end of this year. December just might find me deciding to move back.
Thing is I was talking to one of the family members of the extended family that I have a large part in. Even after being gone for 8 months I still miss them pretty much everyday. The family unit really could use me moving back to help out. The kiddos definitely could use the emotional support, I was hoping this would not be the case.
After talking to them I really am wondering if I should work hard to figure out a way to get back there sooner rather then later. Sure the money at this job is awesome, and I am making a big dent into getting my house paid for. Is it worth it? Do I really need to be doing so? Family is way more valuable than any amount of money, so if it is ever clear that they really need me to be back there, I would instantly start making plans to get back there. No I would not walk into work one day and say "well I have decided to leave, today is my last day". I would more than likely say "Four weeks from now I am moving back home". The family does not need me to be immediately there, what they do need is my longer term presence.
I am currently paying off approximately 3 months worth of my mortgage for every month I work here. So I would like to make it so that by the end of this year and get my mortgage down to 15years left, currently at 18 years left. Then depending on the amount of money that I have set aside in my savings account, I just might be pulling the plug. As I say though, if the needs of the family get to be a great enough need, I just might be pulling the plug even earlier.