Joined
·
148 Posts
I am 29 years old and my take home pay monthly is approximately $1,620. I have some massive student loan debts (32% of my net pay). I am looking to pay these loans down, down, down. It's the only debt I have and it's about $75k, plus interest.
Charitable Gifts - $7
ER Fund - $158.84
Rent - $150 (I live with my mom and this is my portion of the rent and utilities. I do housework and yard work to make up the monetary difference.)
Phone - $45 (Mom and I split this bill.)
Cable/Internet - $50 (Mom and I split this bill.)
Grocery - $180 (I am a vegan who tries to eat organic, non-processed foods, which sometimes cost more. I also am obese and eat more food than the average person. This total is just my food costs.)
Restaurants - $30 (I rarely use this much. Leftover money gets used to grocery stockpile hot deals or to my ER Fund.)
Gasoline - $90
Oil Change - $10
Auto Repairs and Tires - $38.33
Car Insurance - $40
License and Taxes - $10
Clothing - $32 (Hard to find used clothing in my size.)
Shoes - $10 (I go through shoes really fast.)
Dentist - $10
Optometrist - $10
Prescriptions - $7
Toiletries - $34 (This covers a broad range of items.)
Cosmetics - $13 (I know this is high but I use specialty makeup b/c of allergies. Any leftovers go to ER Fund.)
Hair Cuts/Brow Wax - $15
School Supplies - $15 (Books for class.)
Pets - $20 (After food and litter, the leftover money goes to an account for vet bills.)
Subscriptions - $10 (This is the YMCA subscription that I canceled this month. The money will go to ER Fund after this month.)
Organizational Dues - $3 (For a professional organization I belong to.)
Gifts - $33.33 (This includes money to put back for Christmas.)
Misc. - $14
Blow - $20
Entertainment - $20 (I usually don't use this much on entertainment. Leftover money goes to ER Fund.)
Vacation - $25
Student Loan 1 - $228.50
Student Loan 2 - $241
Student Loan 3 - $50
Total: $1,620
I've put in some details to help you all as to why I spend the amount I do in a category. I know I need some work in cutting back on some things and have really already reduced a lot (though it may not look like it.)
In my ER Fund I have $1103 (Will be $1262 at the end of January after my payday.) I am looking to get my baby ER Fund to at least $3,000 before I start on my debt snowball. I have an 8-year-old (paid for) car and a job that is done by yearly contract. I feel I need more than $1,000 in the BEF.
In my Lump Sum savings I have $794. This is money put back for car tags, car repairs, car license and taxes, dentist, optometrist, gifts, and maybe someday a vacation!
I have $550 in my checking account that I pretend I don't have b/c if my checking account goes under $500 I get hit with fees. The lower the account gets, the higher the fee. This money is technically ER Fund but I choose to ignore it.
I also have a small cash stash in my safe. It's about $100. I keep this cash on hand in cash of any emergency that may occur where cards can't be used (though I rarely use a card anymore).
I do have one credit card but I have NO CC debt!!!
Please tell me what you think! I'm open to all suggestions and comments!
Thank you all! I have learned so much from this forum already and can't wait to hear from you.
Charitable Gifts - $7
ER Fund - $158.84
Rent - $150 (I live with my mom and this is my portion of the rent and utilities. I do housework and yard work to make up the monetary difference.)
Phone - $45 (Mom and I split this bill.)
Cable/Internet - $50 (Mom and I split this bill.)
Grocery - $180 (I am a vegan who tries to eat organic, non-processed foods, which sometimes cost more. I also am obese and eat more food than the average person. This total is just my food costs.)
Restaurants - $30 (I rarely use this much. Leftover money gets used to grocery stockpile hot deals or to my ER Fund.)
Gasoline - $90
Oil Change - $10
Auto Repairs and Tires - $38.33
Car Insurance - $40
License and Taxes - $10
Clothing - $32 (Hard to find used clothing in my size.)
Shoes - $10 (I go through shoes really fast.)
Dentist - $10
Optometrist - $10
Prescriptions - $7
Toiletries - $34 (This covers a broad range of items.)
Cosmetics - $13 (I know this is high but I use specialty makeup b/c of allergies. Any leftovers go to ER Fund.)
Hair Cuts/Brow Wax - $15
School Supplies - $15 (Books for class.)
Pets - $20 (After food and litter, the leftover money goes to an account for vet bills.)
Subscriptions - $10 (This is the YMCA subscription that I canceled this month. The money will go to ER Fund after this month.)
Organizational Dues - $3 (For a professional organization I belong to.)
Gifts - $33.33 (This includes money to put back for Christmas.)
Misc. - $14
Blow - $20
Entertainment - $20 (I usually don't use this much on entertainment. Leftover money goes to ER Fund.)
Vacation - $25
Student Loan 1 - $228.50
Student Loan 2 - $241
Student Loan 3 - $50
Total: $1,620
I've put in some details to help you all as to why I spend the amount I do in a category. I know I need some work in cutting back on some things and have really already reduced a lot (though it may not look like it.)
In my ER Fund I have $1103 (Will be $1262 at the end of January after my payday.) I am looking to get my baby ER Fund to at least $3,000 before I start on my debt snowball. I have an 8-year-old (paid for) car and a job that is done by yearly contract. I feel I need more than $1,000 in the BEF.
In my Lump Sum savings I have $794. This is money put back for car tags, car repairs, car license and taxes, dentist, optometrist, gifts, and maybe someday a vacation!
I have $550 in my checking account that I pretend I don't have b/c if my checking account goes under $500 I get hit with fees. The lower the account gets, the higher the fee. This money is technically ER Fund but I choose to ignore it.
I also have a small cash stash in my safe. It's about $100. I keep this cash on hand in cash of any emergency that may occur where cards can't be used (though I rarely use a card anymore).
I do have one credit card but I have NO CC debt!!!
Please tell me what you think! I'm open to all suggestions and comments!
Thank you all! I have learned so much from this forum already and can't wait to hear from you.