What information should I include in my budget?

[John]

I need help with my budget. What information should I include when asking about it?

[John]

1. Your monthly take-home pay, post-tax withholding.
2. Your monthly required spending: rent, utilities, tuition, debt payments, insurance, typical transportation costs, typical food expenditures; in short, anything you must pay each month and cannot skip without consequences.
3. Your monthly discretionary spending: entertainment, leisure, etc. If you aren't sure if it's a need or a want, it's fine to list it wherever you think of it.