Expenses were an ongoing debate at home. We operate with a joint account alongside our personal accounts. Income goes to the joint account, paying for everything — food, bills, and insurance transfers under different names. Until I asked myself a simple question: How much does our life actually cost?
I didn't know the answer. Some bills are paid monthly (mortgage, electricity), some weekly (groceries), others annually (property tax, car insurance), and some as one-offs. I needed a clear picture of what it costs to run a household with a house, a car, pets, and a young son.
I logged every item step by step:
- Fixed overheads: Home & car insurance, highway toll pass, maintenance, fuel.
- Utilities: Water, electricity, gas, phone plans, internet.
- Daily life: Weekly groceries, toiletries, pet food & litter.
- Business/Tax: Health insurance, social security, self-employed taxes.
- Future: Regular investments and savings.
When I added our income streams — salaries, interest, dividends, rental income — a single precise number emerged. A number we can actually plan with. Today, thanks to FrigBoard's categorization and visual charts, we know our exact daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly costs, as well as our housing vs. investment ratios.
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