I just tallied my June receipts for the month..this does not include any household bills, I've Spent $1570, on shopping, groceries, gas and entertainment for the month. That is all of my Paycheck gone. I wasn't kidding to hubby when i said we us his paychecks to pay for all the major items, Rent & bills. And i pay for groceries and entertaiment..it's no wonder we have a hard time saving for a house!!!

 Ouch. But knowing is half the battle. Maybe you should set aside X amount for a house before you start spending on anything else?

Every month i try to set aside $400 to put in the house account, but i have only been able to do that 4 times and then the car quit and that set us back that month $500 from the house savings account. people seem to be able to save money like nothing and yet we can never stay on track...Urggggg.!!!! Prayers to all

Sounds like you really try to save. I agree with Pat about paying yourself first (savings first). Since your check goes to discretionary items (well, groceries and gas are needed), those areas may be the best areas to try and find savings, especially in entertainment. Since I don't know the size of your family, you may have a large grocery budget.

For our family of 4 this is our monthly budget (and i drive to and from work, 3 miles each way):

Groceries: $400

Supplies: $50

Clothing,etc: $100

Gas: $300 to $400

Entertainment: $50 to $100

I had to build in a cushion for gas as prices keep going up and entertainment as we do more in the summer (golf, pool passes, day camps, etc).

But DH and I put away $300 a month (auto deduct from paycheck) for savings. It's nice to have a little savings built up for emergencies.

Bakersdozen:

Every month i try to set aside $400 to put in the house account, but i have only been able to do that 4 times and then the car quit and that set us back that month $500 from the house savings account

 Do you have an emergency fund to cover those kinds of expenses?

People who seem to be able to save usually have funds in reserve for specific things and they can be brutal about not touching money that is for something else. They also are often very frugal when they are building these reserves.

It never helps when DH decides to make a major purchase, without telling me, he always puts the vehicles in the shop or pays for something and then tells me, that is why it is soo hard to put money away, Someone just told him the wheels in the truck were out of alinment and he puts it in the shop the next day, or goes to the gym and spends $45 on nutrional supplements. We talk about saving, but i'm the only one that feels like i'm ever doing it!

 This is a marriage problem first.  Your husband and you are not together on finances, to the point he is disregarding the financial well being and future of his family due to his spending without any discussion or planning.  

I have to agree with Rolo, this goes beyond money issues. Such things become tugs of war that seep into other parts of your life and relationhip.

Does he take a look at the finances or do you handle them without his seeing the actual figures and the bottom line?

He used to take care of the finances but we never were coming out on top, so I had to take over, I set limits on the bank account Eg:it can only get to this $$$ amount and then we have to stop spending, he doesn't see it the way i do, So i told him, if you were unemployed for 2 wks this would take care of us until you got a paycheck again..i talk, he never listens, But on the positive side.. I asked him to give me any and all receipts for purchases and he has soo far...I'm sure it will help especially after i show him June's receipts total...hold your breath ladies&gents!

good luck!

we are over budget too.  definitely have to firm it up and stay on track.