SHARED FAMILY FINANCIAL PLANNING

I've observed that very few families understand that financial management of their household is not a pastime to be attended to by just one partner when the spirit moves. It is a serious business requiring skill, planning and control and above all a sharing of responsibilities.
So, how about scheduling adequate prime time for a family conference when the following agenda should be discussed amicably and mutually acted upon. But just a few rules to be observed:
1. No arguments or recriminations about the past.
2. No apportioning blame over what has previously happened.
3. No negative thinking - look for the possibilities.
4. Be the first to say "sorry."
5. Be totally honest and willing to change.
6. Be methodical.
OK, let's start the meeting:
SOLVE THE PRESENT:
Until you plan your spending over the ensuing twelve months to discover what weekly surplus you will have, you will never achieve financial freedom. Your spending will continue to be haphazard. First you need to divide proposed expenditure into three main categories and arrive at a weekly total for each.
A. Committed Payments
B. Housekeeping, His and Her Allowances, Petrol, Giving
C. Contingencies, Holiday Spending and Special Savings.
BALANCE WITH INCOME:
All income should be paid into one Bank account which will be used for items in "C" category.
From this account weekly automatic payments replenish the other two accounts ("B" & "A")
DO-IT-YOURSELF FINANCIAL PLAN
I have a plan on a computer disk using Microsoft Excell with full instructions and hints that you can insert your proposed figures in each category, trigger the calculating icon and up comes a weekly surplus or shortfall. While on the computer you can make adjustments to balance the budget with a reasonable surplus. There is a Setting Up Diagram that automatically includes your figures so you can set up the system with your preferred Bank.
Retaining the PLAN on your computer allows you to make necessary adjustments and gives you the capacity to make larger spending decisions. Revised figures put in will determine if you would still have a reasonable surplus.
(I sell the disc and will post it anywhere for the price of NZ$40)