School runs. Grocery shops. Saturday treats. Family holidays. When you’ve got kids, your money’s working just as hard as you are.

That’s why budgeting as a family shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like support. With the right plan (and a little help from bunq), you can manage your money with less stress and more confidence.

Here’s how to build a family budget that fits your goals, your values, and your real life.

First, Why Is Family Budgeting So Tricky?

Because you’re not just budgeting for you. You’re budgeting for your kids, your partner, your plans, and your what-ifs.

One month it’s school supplies. The next it’s a dentist bill or a birthday party. Even when you’re trying to stay on top of it, the surprises never stop.

The good news? You don’t need a perfect system. You just need one that works for you—and keeps working even when life gets chaotic.

Step 1: Get Clear on What Matters Most

Before you start crunching numbers, figure out what’s actually important to your family.

Ask yourself:

• What are our essentials? Think rent, groceries, childcare, school costs.

• What are we saving for? A holiday? A bigger home? A rainy day fund?

• Where can we cut back without losing what we love?

Money should support the life you want. Not the other way around.

Step 2: Keep It Simple With the 70-20-10 Method

Forget overcomplicated spreadsheets. Try this easy breakdown instead:

• 70% for essentials and day-to-day life

• 20% for savings and future plans

• 10% for fun, treats, and surprises

With bunq, you can set up budgeting categories and saving goals that update automatically. So you always know where your money’s going, no spreadsheets needed.

Step 3: Get the Whole Family Involved

Talking about money should feel normal. Not awkward. Not stressful. Just honest.

Get the whole family involved:

• Let little ones help sort spending into categories

• Give teens a prepaid or debit card to manage their allowance

• Sync with your partner on shared goals and accounts

The earlier your kids learn about money, the better they’ll handle it later. And the more you talk about it, the less stressful it becomes.

Step 4: Expect the Unexpected

When you're managing a family budget, curveballs are part of the deal. The difference is how you handle them. With bunq, you can build a safety net in the background. Just set a goal, automate the savings, and let it grow quietly until life throws something your way.

Step 5: Use the Right Tools

Family life is full. Your money app should help, not add more work.

bunq gives you everything you need to budget without stress:

• Track spending by category

• Set up Joint Accounts

• Create Savings Goals for anything you want

• Open Child Accounts for your kids or teens

• See everything in real time, all in one app

No paperwork. No hidden fees. Just a smarter way to manage money together.

Final Thoughts

Some months will test your patience. Others will feel like you’ve got it all figured out. That’s parenting. That’s money. That’s real life.

But when your budget works with you, not against you, things get easier. Goals feel doable. Spending feels intentional. And you stop wondering where the money went.

Start managing your family’s money with clarity, not guesswork. With bunq, you can budget by category, save for what matters, and stay on top of it all.