Compile a family budget for the Benson family using John Benson's net salary of R2739.50, and provide illustrative amounts for essential and non-essential expenses.

The household income is the net salary John Benson receives after all deductions.

$$\text{Household Income} = \text{Net Salary} = \text{R}2739.50$$

These are necessary costs for living. The amounts below are illustrative.

• Rent/Housing: R1000.00
• Groceries/Food: R800.00
• Transport: R300.00
• Utilities (Electricity, Water): R250.00
• Communication (Phone/Internet): R150.00
• Medical (out-of-pocket, not covered by deductions): R50.00

$$\text{Total Essential Expenses} = \text{R}1000.00 + \text{R}800.00 + \text{R}300.00 + \text{R}250.00 + \text{R}150.00 + \text{R}50.00 = \text{R}2550.00$$

These are discretionary costs. The amounts below are illustrative.

• Entertainment/Leisure: R100.00
• Savings: R50.00
• Personal Care/Miscellaneous: R30.00

$$\text{Total Non-Essential Expenses} = \text{R}100.00 + \text{R}50.00 + \text{R}30.00 = \text{R}180.00$$

Total expenditure is the sum of essential and non-essential expenses.

$$\text{Total Expenditure} = \text{Total Essential Expenses} + \text{Total Non-Essential Expenses}$$ $$\text{Total Expenditure} = \text{R}2550.00 + \text{R}180.00 = \text{R}2730.00$$

This shows how much money is left over or if there is a shortfall.

$$\text{Net Balance} = \text{Household Income} - \text{Total Expenditure}$$ $$\text{Net Balance} = \text{R}2739.50 - \text{R}2730.00 = \text{R}9.50$$

Here is the compiled family budget for the Benson family:

Family Budget for John Benson (June 2024)

Category	Amount (R)
Household Income
Net Salary (John Benson)	2739.50
Essential Expenses
Rent/Housing	1000.00
Groceries/Food	800.00
Transport	300.00
Utilities	250.00
Communication	150.00
Medical (out-of-pocket)	50.00
Subtotal Essential	2550.00
Non-Essential Expenses
Entertainment/Leisure	100.00
Savings	50.00
Personal Care	30.00
Subtotal Non-Essential	180.00
Total Expenditure	2730.00
Net Balance	9.50

$$\boxed{\text{The family budget for the Benson family shows a total household income of R2739.50, total expenditure of R2730.00, and a net balance of R9.50.}}$$