Start by listing your household’s regular income, fixed bills, essential costs and debts, then add variable spending such as food, travel and entertainment. Use recent bank statements or payslips so your figures are realistic, and compare your total outgoings with your income. Allocate any remaining money towards savings, debt repayments or irregular costs, while reviewing the plan each month and adjusting it when circumstances change. If your budget shows you cannot cover essential bills, contact a free UK debt advice charity such as MoneyHelper or StepChange.