This started as a blog with two separate people telling their fiscal story. Our entries during the past month or two seems to becoming a conversation, much to my delight.

In Kat’s last blog, she wonders how a rare third paycheque in a month is actually an “extra” in my financial domain. Good question.

Anyone who knows me would not consider me anally retentive (at least I hope not). What I’m about to explain may sound that way, but I find have a very loose system keeps my life running smoothly with only moderate attention.

I get paid every second Friday, which means twice a year I get three paycheques in a month. Remember that, as it comes into play in a minute or two.

The majority of the paycheque that arrives before the beginning of the month goes to rent and utilities. A big chunk of the other paycheque in a typical month goes to child support, credit card, life insurance, a small RRSP contribution (only $50) and few other bills. Also from each of those cheques I try to save $100 for the big annual bills.

The remainder of the each of those cheques, $400 to $600, covers groceries, gas and entertainment. It’s not a lot - to me anyway - but I get by.

So when that semi-annual third cheque rolls in, I live off my usual $400 to $600 for groceries, gas and entertainment and bank the rest for the big bills. Remember, rent and child support is covered by the other two paycheques. That’s how it works in Casa Jack and I admit that when I see that cash sitting there, it is hard to resist the temptation to blow it on something other than those big bills.