Hi guys! I am using a throwaway due to personal data.
So, I'm moving out from home July 1st and am saving as much of my next few paychecks in preparation.
The basics: I drive to work every day due to living in the burbs, and work providing free parking. Taking the train would cost $300 a month vs $60 in gas. I live 12 miles from work, and will be moving to an area 15 miles from work. The perks of my new place are my gym is 5 mins away vs 15; the grocery store is also in the same shopping center as the gym, and there's an Aldi 10 minutes away vs 15 away currently. I bring lunch to work every day but I hate eating the same thing over and over, so my food budget hurts lol.
I take home about $2600 after health insurance and 401K contributions, taxes, etc are taken out. I am salaried at 50k. I have about 6k in savings. I have no kids. I paid off my 6k student loan in February. Last year my dog had several health issues which resulted in 10k in surgeries and hospitalization, but paid only 5k out of pocket.
Monthly Budget:
- 800 rent
- 150 utilities (this is my half; my future roommate said last year the cheapest month was 60 and the most expensive was 170)
- 350 food, groceries, take out (I live in DC, a high COL area to eat, and Aldi is a new money saver, so I will aim for 250 on groceries with a 75 allowance on eating out - helps I'm also dieting)
- 20 gym, plus 45 annual fee that hit in February
- 180 dog food and meds every three months - how do I calculate this in my monthly budget? Currently have as 100 in Mint
- 100 doctor visits, meds, etc
- 60 pet insurance (so worth it - saved me thousands in emergency surgeries this past year)
- 220 car payment (I have been paying 300-500 since October to help it pay off)
- 170 car insurance (I paid it as a lump sum for the next 5 months, so this bill will be saved instead)
- 105 shopping (I have tried to limit this but I end up spending 4x as much, so I will stick to thrifting or sales only, but it's hard when losing weight not to continually buy new clothes)
- 65 gas ( I usually pay between 50-60 a month)
- 80 entertainment (hobbies such as archery or a movie)
- 60 personal care
- 50 gifts
I usually save whatever is left. I will have some furniture already, including a bed and a desk for free, but will need to thrift for a bookcase and a dresser.
My sister is kind and pays for my phone bill, and refuses to let me chip in. I tend to save about 800 a month currently but with this budget will be ~ 350 a month. I think moving out will help me so much with spending more wisely.
May 05, 2018 at 10:44PM
