Mortgage $1002 for 1 1/2 story, 3 bdrm house built in 1950. Basement suite rentable. Detached garage. Nice deck with new hot tub. Property tax $182/month.

Utilities - ave. over the year probably $300 per month. We don't have cable t.v., but do have highspeed internet. Because of the cold winter months, gas bills can be staggering. We supplement our gas furnace with a wood burning stove.

Vehicle expenses - our family shares one minivan so one adult takes the bus to work or the library with the kids when the other has "reserved" the van. Approx. $200 per month on gas. We buy bus tickets ahead of time in bulk, with each ride costing $2.10, we probably average 5-8 tickets per week. Cheaper than parking when meeting a client downtown.

We eat out fairly often, but usually Asian food - Pho, or California rolls, etc. Two adults and two kids = approx $120 per month budgeted. Groceries range between $600 - 800/month.

Recreation includes swimming, library cards (12 per adult per year, kids are free). We are homeschoolers but because my oldest is not quite in official grade one, we don't get the funding that we will later. We visit museums, science centers, galleries, parks, etc., maybe $50 per month on average. The budget includes $25-30 per month for books, which I buy off Amazon.ca or old classics at Goodwill (best selection, IMHO).

I love finding great second hand clothing. Hand me downs for my 3 and 5 yo kids, and Value Village for me and sometimes DH. I buy high quality, relatively expensive shoes and undies, but consignment stores are more fun for everything else. I budget $100 per month on clothes for each adult and $25 for the kids.