hello from Pennsylvania! (long)

**sixofone** · 12-11-2006, 03:47 PM

Hi, everyone:

I just wanted to introduce myself.
I heard about FV from a blog I was browsing on livejournal. I've been interested in simple living for the past four or five years. I have made great strides in my financial life in that time, but seem to be backsliding at times and need encouragement.

I am 42 years old, married for 18 years to a great guy, no kids. We have three pets, a chinchilla, a fancy rat and a tortoise. We live in a rented house, and are living on one income right now, which is very very tough at times. I am fortunate enough to have a good job with full benefits, but it's very hard for me to save money for my goals.

I would like to buy a home someday, and while I might be able to scrape together the down payment, I don't think I could afford the little unexpected expenses that come along with home ownership (i.e., the furnace dies in January, shingles fall off the roof, new windows, etc.) It's hard to save for a vacation, even. I wish I could say I don't know where the money goes, but I have a pretty good idea. When I look at my bills, they're pretty much eating up my income. And I don't really have any consumer debt to speak of (about $600 at the moment). Fortunately, we have no car loans or CC debt. DH has health issues which eat up income with co-pays, and is unable to work at the moment. My employer provides health insurance, but for a partner, I must pay $150 out of pocket per month for his insurance. My cell phone (for both of us) is $75 a month, which seems outrageous, but I don't see how we can do without it. Maybe we can find a better plan.

Anyway...we seem to spend a lot on food ($400+ a month). I can't seem to get out of Wal-Mart without spending $100 a week or more! We get all of our toiletries there in addition to food. We don't eat out much...don't really go to the movies or rent videos...

I could go on but I won't!

I'm looking forward to interacting with you all and maybe making some new friends.

Sixofone
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