Anytime I drive to a place for the first time, I get directions. Sometimes I do this even if I’ve been there before. I’m always looking for an easier, quicker way to get from here to there.

The same approach goes for your budget. If you want to know where you’re going financially, you need to have a road map.

In a recent column, I provided a set of budgeting percentage guidelines, and many readers had questions.

One asked: “Do you have a guideline for what percentage of income a family should spend on their annual vacation?”

Tom Rehwald from Illinois queried: “Do you have percentages for a retired (retiring) couple who owns their home free and clear?”

Others asked: Would you add line items for house repair, tuition, childcare and teenage children?

These are all great questions.

Got kids? Then you need to add a separate category for child care. That expenditure might eat up 10 percent to 20 percent of your budget.

For vacation expenses, as long as the rest of your budget is balanced, I don’t see a problem with those expenses taking up 8 percent to 10 percent of annual income.

As for retirement, I couldn’t find any recommended percentages that differ greatly for retirees. Some expenses will change depending on lifestyle.

Most financial experts say you’re more likely to find financial comfort if you keep your housing expense in a range of 25 percent to 35 percent.

Many readers questioned the percentage range for debt, at 10 percent to 20 percent.

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 situation. If one or more 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.