Tom, a successful wedding photographer, and his wife, Beth, a curate, know what it’s like to budget together, as a team. Between Tom’s freelance income and Beth’s role as a vicar-in-training, they’ve learned to navigate the complexities of budgeting while keeping their shared goals and values at the forefront. Recently, Tom shared their story, offering a glimpse into their budgeting habits, challenges, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Taking Stock: How Tom and Beth Track Income and Expenses

“Whenever we go through a big life change—like our move from Cambridge to Ramsgate in June—I like to pause and reassess our finances,” Tom explains. His process starts with jotting down his average photography income and Beth’s curate stipend, followed by listing their monthly outgoings. From there, he calculates what’s left, which often isn’t much.

Although Tom admits his primary tracking system is “mostly in my head,” he reviews their last three months of spending whenever finances feel tight. “Spoiler alert: it’s usually food, fuel, and eating out—our usual culprits!” he laughs.

💡 Tip from Me: If you’re not already tracking your finances, try this super simple budgeting spreadsheet and start budgeting together!

Budgeting Together Wins: The Lifesaving “Surprise Bills” Account

One strategy that’s worked wonders for Tom and Beth is setting aside 10% of their gross income into a “surprise bills” or tax account. This buffer in their budget has saved them countless times, whether it’s replacing a broken dishwasher or fixing a flat tyre. “It’s such a relief to know we’ve got that safety net,” Tom says.

💡 Tip from Me: Tom and Beth are doing well to have that “surprise bills” account. By having that emergency fund, they won’t need to rely on credit when things go wrong!

Read more: Emergency Funds and why you need one

Challenges: Balancing A Tight Budget with a Good Quality of Life

The couple work hard to live within their means without sacrificing what matters most. “Our budget is tight, but we don’t want to overwork or be so frugal that we can’t enjoy life,” Tom explains. Generosity is a priority for them, as is setting aside money for fun experiences and giving to causes they care about.

💡 Tip from Me: It’s all about balance! You can have fun on a tight budget, it’s all about prioritising what matters to you most.

Shared Goals: Saving, Giving, and Planning for the Future

When Tom and Beth budget together, their top three financial priorities reflect their values and long-term vision:

Buying a property:

The couple contributes to two Help to Buy ISAs each month, aiming to purchase a home in the next 5–10 years. Since Beth’s role as a vicar comes with housing, they’re planning ahead for retirement.

Giving to charity:

Faith is central to their lives, and they commit to giving at least 10% of their net profit to charity. “It’s not about earning God’s love—it’s about responding to it,” Tom says.

Avoiding debt:

Tom and Beth prefer saving up and paying outright for what they need, rather than borrowing unnecessarily.

Their shared vision also includes a joint account for most expenses, while keeping individual accounts for personal use.

💡 Tip from Me: Tom and Beth are debt free and this is awesome! Thinking ahead and saving for a house is a great money goal for them! Also giving to charity is a great value to have – if you download my budget spreadsheet, you’ll notice that ‘Giving’ is on the top of the outgoings column!

Fun Funds and Christmas Accounts: Budgeting Together for Everyday Joy

Tom uses a methodical approach to allocate his photography income. After setting aside 20% for taxes and 10% for giving, he splits the rest between savings, a “fun account,” and even a dedicated Christmas fund. “Being prepared for the holidays is the best feeling!” he shares.

For discretionary spending like eating out, they keep things simple: “If the money’s there, we make it work!”

💡 Tip from Me: In our house, we call these extra accounts ‘Sinking Funds’ and they have been a game changer for our finances! If you don’t already have sinking funds set up, I encourage you to do that today!

Read more: What are sinking funds?

Communicating About Money: Timing and Tone Matter

Growing up in different financial environments has shaped how Tom and Beth view money. Tom’s family was relatively well-off, while Beth’s family faced tighter budgets. “Sometimes, when I bring up money worries, Beth feels like I’m saying our situation isn’t good enough—but that’s not how I feel at all,” Tom explains.

They’ve found that choosing the right moment to discuss finances—avoiding times when they’re stressed, tired, or hangry—makes all the difference. “Tone and timing can change everything,” Tom says.

💡 Tip from Me: Finding the right time to talk about money is crucial for an open and honest conversation. Tom and Beth clearly know when it’s a good time – and when it’s not!

Read more: How to talk about money

Learning Along the Way: Reflections on Financial Education

Despite their progress, Tom admits there’s still a lot to learn. “Pensions are a mystery to me! It really makes me lament how poorly we’re taught about money in school,” he says.

💡 Tip from Me: Pensions can be tricky! My advice would be to seek an independent financial advisor so that they can help. As Tom works freelance, I encourage him to seek advice and start a pension now! Even if he starts with £25 a month, it will all add up – and don’t forget, compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world!

Building Connection Through Budgeting Together: Prioritising Date Nights

One budgeting habit they’ve embraced is creating a “fun fund” to prioritise their relationship. “We do have a date night fund!” Tom says. “I’m glad this is something you recommend!”

💡 Tip from Me: Having a money date is always a good thing! By budgeting together, you are telling your money where to go – rather than wondering where it went!

Read more: What is a Money Date and why you should have one?

Tom and Beth’s story highlights the power of teamwork, open communication, and shared priorities in managing money as a couple. Their practical tips—like setting up a surprise bills account and creating a fun fund—can inspire other couples to find joy and balance in their financial journey.

Take a look at Tom’s awesome website, if you’re looking for a luxury wedding photographer, you don’t need to look any further!

💡 Want to budget together with your spouse? Work with me for one hour and we can create a budget that works for you! Leave a comment below and let’s schedule a complimentary, no obligation call for the week ahead!