One year I had like $8,000 in cash contributions.
I only spend about $12,000 on housing costs. However, I dont have a giant 2nd mortgage, and a second loan to pay the baloon payments. I thought about getting a larger house and decided my one bathroom, small kitchen, 3 bedroom house was large enough. Maybe one day my last child will move out. I have another one away at college. Hopefully, he will find that big job and support himself.
Alcohol = 0 (Zero).
cigarettes/tobacco = 0 (Zero).
If you have a child in college they typically may need like $3,000 or more a semester for education expenses even if they are working and going to school.
Then there are things like haiti relief, Red Cross, Feeding the poor, girl scout cookies, fund raisers, Sporting events, USO (Support the troops), etc.
How much does the average family spend on Computers and video games? Hmm. . . . still using a PS2.