Start by listing your after-tax income and typical spending under categories such as housing, groceries, transport, utilities, insurance, debt and discretionary purchases. Compare like with like by allowing for differences in rent or mortgage, household size, location, childcare and health costs, rather than treating an average as a target. You can use an Australian budget planner, such as MoneySmart’s, and check household spending information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for broad context. If your budget is under pressure, contact your energy provider, lender or a free financial counsellor to discuss options that may suit your circumstances.