Some Answers to Your Budgeting Questions

As for retirement, I couldn't find any recommended percentages that differ greatly for retirees. Clearly some expenses will change -- rising or falling -- depending on your retirement lifestyle. My grandmother, Big Mama, lived on about 50 percent of her pre-retirement income. Other retirees don't see a cut in their living expenses.

According to MMI and most other financial experts, you're more likely to find financial comfort if you keep your housing expense in a range of 25 percent to 35 percent. If you are retired and don't have that expense, then you'll probably end up putting that money toward rising health care. My goal is to pay off my mortgage before retiring so that I can free up a lot of money for other expenses.

Why the exclusion of giving?

MMI works with folks that are barely hanging on money-wise. Understandably, the budget template the organization uses doesn't necessarily include a line item for charitable giving. But I should have emphasized giving.

"Except for the poor, everyone should give something back and not just taxes," Thompson, the Virginia reader, said. "So there should always a category for giving."

I agree.

My family budget starts with charitable giving and tithing and it doesn't get cut no matter how tight money gets. Trust me. Giving 10 percent of your gross income puts you in the financial mood to make what's left stretch to what else is important in your life.

Many readers questioned the percentage range for debt. MMI puts that at 10 to 20 percent.

"The personal debt slush fund is too large," Hartwig argued. "I think much is hidden in the personal debt category -- the vacations, gifts and holiday spending must be buried there."

She's absolutely right. Debt makes you a slave to the lender. Yet the average family is carrying about $9,300 in credit card debt, according to CardWeb.com, which provides payment card statistics and trends.

You really shouldn't have a line item for credit card debt. Still many people do. So since they do, they should account for it in their budgets.

Let me say this again: What's included in your budget and the percentage of your income that you spend in any one expense category depend on your personal financial situation. If one or more budget items are more or less than what is generally recommended, that means you have to cut elsewhere.

But whatever you decide is appropriate for your family, make sure you've mapped it out. And if you're unclear how to get there, stop and get directions.

· On the air: Michelle Singletary appears on Washington Post Radio (107.7 FM, 1500 AM) at 6:20 a.m. Thursdays. She also discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp://www.npr.org.

· By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

· By e-mail:singletarym@washpost.com.

Comments and questions are welcome, but because of the volume of mail, personal responses are not always possible. Please note that comments or questions may be used in a future column, with the writer's name, unless a specific request to do otherwise is indicated.