My monthly budget for after we move.

**AnW819** · 01-24-2010, 10:00 PM

I sat down tonight and got it together with DH. Any advice or anything you think needs adjestment please let me know

3200- take home pay
-1005 Rent
25 pet fee
115 electric
150 cable, internet, phone
400 groceries including pets, hba, and getting stockpile back up
100 eating out (this can always be taken out if need be)
160 gas for car
75 car repairs
110 car insurance & renters insurance
25 clothes
100 blow money
35 doc visits or meds (we do not take regular meds)
900 pay off debt
---------
$0

So what do you think? I think its pretty good. We have enough to pay what we need to pay, and still extra to go out to eat once a week, and have some blow money as well.

Thanks!

**frugalwarrior2** · 01-24-2010, 11:50 PM

How long before the $900. debt repay is done? Is dental incl. in medical/do you have dental ins. in a month.
Anyone need glasses/contacts? Do you have optical.
Could you get a cheap term life policy?
Do either of you have disability ins. because you are living tight and need both incomes?
Is DH still on the night shift and unhappy?
What kinda shape is the car in? Do you need a replacement category?

Looks pretty good. Thought I'd throw some more if/ands at you.
I don't see a gift or xmas fund. Maybe over-time??
Make sure you ask if there are any other costs like turning on electric/gas or fees. Shouldn't be w/ an apt. but.. Ask. KWIM. Goodnight.

**AnW819** · 01-24-2010, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

How long before the $900. debt repay is done? Is dental incl. in medical/do you have dental ins. in a month.
Anyone need glasses/contacts? Do you have optical.
Could you get a cheap term life policy?
Do either of you have disability ins. because you are living tight and need both incomes?
Is DH still on the night shift and unhappy?
What kinda shape is the car in? Do you need a replacement category?

Looks pretty good. Thought I'd throw some more if/ands at you.
I don't see a gift or xmas fund. Maybe over-time??
Make sure you ask if there are any other costs like turning on electric/gas or fees. Shouldn't be w/ an apt. but.. Ask. KWIM. Goodnight.

We will be getting insurance in about a month, but DH's raise he gets in a month covers it for both of us, and that includes dental and optical. I don't think we can get life insurance yet. I have no idea...DH is still on night shift and 'starting to like his job'. So that is good...the car is in crappy shape, we are thinking it will last a few more months. The $75 a month will either go to repair the car if need be or put it towards a new car. I guess I could add that into my budget...I am not sure what I wanna do with that.

DH and I owe about $6000 total in debt, so less than 7 months to pay off debt I believe.

I have never saved for Christmas before and if I stick to this budget I will be debt free by then with a nice savings account and such by than. I really don't want to put xmas in my budget. Not exactly sure why, but I don't.

**Libby** · 01-25-2010, 12:22 AM

Ash I think you should add Xmas to your budget, I think you said you used $500 this past year? Once you have it saved up for 2010, no worries when that time of year sneaks up on you. This way it won't be a 'surprise'.

Should you have a true crisis, you can turn the Xmas fund into a 2nd BEF, kwim? Or if you're in a better financial situation by then you can use it to buy a new to you car, pay off the last of your debts etc and keep saving for Xmas.

Just my 2 cents.

**Greebo** · 01-25-2010, 05:05 AM

If you don't budget for XMas now, I promise you, it's going to sneak up on you and surprise you come November!

In fact I'd suggest you open a Christmas Club account at a local bank (only not your current bank) and deposit that Christmas money religiously every week. If you used $500 last year, assume $600 this year and deposit $50/month.

I don't see anything for haircuts and styling.

Other possible categories to consider:
- subscriptions
- dues for organizations

And on the car, I'd allocate a bit more. It's an older car - I'd allocate at least $100/month maybe more like $150/month to maintenance and repairs.

And on the car as well - USE that money - take it to a few garages at first and pay to have each of them simply have a look at it and see if they see any immediate things that need done. Get a feel for the garages and find one you like. The cheapest may not be the best but the most expensive may not be either - this isn't a "get what you pay for" situation, it's a "am I being ****ed with" test.

Then PUT that money into maintaining the car. Change the oil and filters regularly - belts, and fluids too as recommended by the manufacturer - or even MORE often.

If you over maintain the car, it should last you years. Spending $1,000 - $2,000 a year on car maintenance is better then spending that on replacement cars and then still having to maintain them, after all.

I want you out of debt, but the best, surest way to get out of debt is to make sure you can avoid going INTO debt in the future. Things like insurance and maintenance, if neglected, will greatly increase your inability to avoid future debt.

The number's you've got look pretty good IMO - but I'd still like to see the fine tuning I've listed. If it takes you a few more months to be completely debt free, so be it - but as you and DH get closer I bet you both start getting more creative about it.

Keep up the good work - you're really getting the hang of this!

**Josephhgoins** · 01-25-2010, 07:43 AM

If I could sacrifice for a few months and be out of debt I sure as heck would too!!

As for the Christmas fund, I wouldn't put it in yet either. I don't think you have kids to buy for and I am sure your family will understand if you get them something very small with your Dec Blow money for just this one year.

The only change I would make if it was me was more money for clothing. I currently work from home, but even working here I do have to occasionlly go into the office for a few days or a week at a time. I can easily buy used clothing for every day but I need nice clothing for work and I never seem to find it at thrift shops. Not sure what kind of job you have, but you or your husband may have to buy some new clothing over the next few months and $25 isn't going to go very far.

Also, you realize that you are only giving yourself and your husband 12.50 per week each of blow money? No way could I stick to that.

Good luck!

**NewLeaf** · 01-25-2010, 08:12 AM

I think your budget sounds do-able. I myself would not worry about the Christmas fund. But only if you can be very strong and either NOT buy gifts this year or only something small. Otherwise you better make a small Christmas fund.

I agree w/Greebo about the car.

I think you could get by w/the clothing allowance for awhile if you shop carefully. I don't buy clothes every month anyway.....

It's a good plan. Doesn't a plan always make you feel better?

BTW, if I had planned a budget and sought help as young as you then life would have gone much smoother. I think you are really smart and mature to have done all of this work now while you are young.

**AnW819** · 01-25-2010, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

If you don't budget for XMas now, I promise you, it's going to sneak up on you and surprise you come November!

In fact I'd suggest you open a Christmas Club account at a local bank (only not your current bank) and deposit that Christmas money religiously every week. If you used $500 last year, assume $600 this year and deposit $50/month.

I don't see anything for haircuts and styling.

Other possible categories to consider:
- subscriptions
- dues for organizations

And on the car, I'd allocate a bit more. It's an older car - I'd allocate at least $100/month maybe more like $150/month to maintenance and repairs.

And on the car as well - USE that money - take it to a few garages at first and pay to have each of them simply have a look at it and see if they see any immediate things that need done. Get a feel for the garages and find one you like. The cheapest may not be the best but the most expensive may not be either - this isn't a "get what you pay for" situation, it's a "am I being ****ed with" test.

Then PUT that money into maintaining the car. Change the oil and filters regularly - belts, and fluids too as recommended by the manufacturer - or even MORE often.

If you over maintain the car, it should last you years. Spending $1,000 - $2,000 a year on car maintenance is better then spending that on replacement cars and then still having to maintain them, after all.

I want you out of debt, but the best, surest way to get out of debt is to make sure you can avoid going INTO debt in the future. Things like insurance and maintenance, if neglected, will greatly increase your inability to avoid future debt.

The number's you've got look pretty good IMO - but I'd still like to see the fine tuning I've listed. If it takes you a few more months to be completely debt free, so be it - but as you and DH get closer I bet you both start getting more creative about it.

Keep up the good work - you're really getting the hang of this!

We don't go out to get haircuts, I do then for us

As for subscriptions and organizations I don't know what that is so I am sure we don't use it. I agree with you about the car, I deff think I should put more money there. Thanks Greebo!

Originally Posted by Josephhgoins

If I could sacrifice for a few months and be out of debt I sure as heck would too!!

As for the Christmas fund, I wouldn't put it in yet either. I don't think you have kids to buy for and I am sure your family will understand if you get them something very small with your Dec Blow money for just this one year.

The only change I would make if it was me was more money for clothing. I currently work from home, but even working here I do have to occasionlly go into the office for a few days or a week at a time. I can easily buy used clothing for every day but I need nice clothing for work and I never seem to find it at thrift shops. Not sure what kind of job you have, but you or your husband may have to buy some new clothing over the next few months and $25 isn't going to go very far.

Also, you realize that you are only giving yourself and your husband 12.50 per week each of blow money? No way could I stick to that.

Good luck!

Yeah $12.50 a week for blow money is going out to a movie for us both, or renting a game, so something similar. We work opposite shifts so we only really have 1 day to do something, so $25 a week is fine for us!

Originally Posted by NewLeaf

I think your budget sounds do-able. I myself would not worry about the Christmas fund. But only if you can be very strong and either NOT buy gifts this year or only something small. Otherwise you better make a small Christmas fund.

I agree w/Greebo about the car.

I think you could get by w/the clothing allowance for awhile if you shop carefully. I don't buy clothes every month anyway.....

It's a good plan. Doesn't a plan always make you feel better?

BTW, if I had planned a budget and sought help as young as you then life would have gone much smoother. I think you are really smart and mature to have done all of this work now while you are young.

Thanks very much!!!