I just had a rather shocking realization...

[Viper GTS]

God this is depressing.

I just sat down & figured out my monthly expenses. Assuming two paychecks per month (it's actually a little over, but I figured 2 so I'd have a little breathing room in my figures) my basic expenses (no discretionary spending) consume 100% of my monthly takehome pay.

In the last two months we lost one of our roommates (33% increase in rent + utilities) plus I started driving again ($100 a month car insurance + $75+ on gas).

Between those two things alone my expenses went up 50%.

No wonder the last month has been so hard for me.

Looks like I have absolutely no choice but to get another job, or hope we get another roommate.

Viper GTS

 

[Ns1]

eat less?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
God this is depressing.

I just sat down & figured out my monthly expenses. Assuming two paychecks per month (it's actually a little over, but I figured 2 so I'd have a little breathing room in my figures) my basic expenses (no discretionary spending) consume 100% of my monthly takehome pay.

In the last two months we lost one of our roommates (33% increase in rent + utilities) plus I started driving again ($100 a month car insurance + $75+ on gas).

Between those two things alone my expenses went up 50%.

No wonder the last month has been so hard for me.

Looks like I have absolutely no choice but to get another job, or hope we get another roommate.

Viper GTS

Get a really really hot chick for a roomy, then nothing will matter.

 

[K1052]

Sell plasma.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Depressing:
To afford a place of my own, 60% of my paycheck will have to go to a mortgage.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
eat less?

That really wouldn't make all that big of a difference. Even if my food cost was $0 I'd still feel VERY uncomfortable with how little extra I had.

Viper GTS

 

[Bulk Beef]

Sperm donor.

 

[TravisT]

Yeah, i as well am on a pretty tight budget. After bills alone, I believe me, and my wife, and daughter only have roughly 200 dollars per month to spend on food and other things I want to do. Which is not much

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
eat less?

If you've ever supported yourself you would know that food usually consists a very small amount of the budget, so cutting back on food is somewhat pointless unless you go out to eat every meal.

Example?

Rent:844
phone/internet=85
Electricity=80
Food=120

 

[Hoober]

Make sure you still give some away!!!

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: TravisT
Yeah, i as well am on a pretty tight budget. After bills alone, I believe me, and my wife, and daughter only have roughly 200 dollars per month to spend on food and other things I want to do. Which is not much

200 for food for all 3 of you? Are you slowly slipping into debt, or do you make it on 200?

 

[blackdogdeek]

can you find a better job?

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
eat less?

If you've ever supported yourself you would know that food usually consists a very small amount of the budget, so cutting back on food is somewhat pointless unless you go out to eat every meal.

That all depends. Food is my third highest budget item in my household, behind mortgage and taxes.

 

[Argo]

Yeah, I know how that feels. Within last 4 months my insurance and rent went up considerably. Add to that the fact that I bought a new car (which in itself caused another insurance premium increase) and my expenses are getting pretty close to my income.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
God this is depressing.

I just sat down & figured out my monthly expenses. Assuming two paychecks per month (it's actually a little over, but I figured 2 so I'd have a little breathing room in my figures) my basic expenses (no discretionary spending) consume 100% of my monthly takehome pay.

In the last two months we lost one of our roommates (33% increase in rent + utilities) plus I started driving again ($100 a month car insurance + $75+ on gas).

Between those two things alone my expenses went up 50%.

No wonder the last month has been so hard for me.

Looks like I have absolutely no choice but to get another job, or hope we get another roommate.

Viper GTS

we spend $350.00 to $400.00 / month on GAS (not heating gas, but gasoline for our automobiles) alone. i don't even want to get into the rest of our expenses.

 

[GiLtY]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
God this is depressing.

I just sat down & figured out my monthly expenses. Assuming two paychecks per month (it's actually a little over, but I figured 2 so I'd have a little breathing room in my figures) my basic expenses (no discretionary spending) consume 100% of my monthly takehome pay.

In the last two months we lost one of our roommates (33% increase in rent + utilities) plus I started driving again ($100 a month car insurance + $75+ on gas).

Between those two things alone my expenses went up 50%.

No wonder the last month has been so hard for me.

Looks like I have absolutely no choice but to get another job, or hope we get another roommate.

Viper GTS

Get a really really hot chick for a roomy, then nothing will matter.

While getting a roommate is a good idea, getting a hot roomate is an even better idea

--GiLtY

 

[raptor13]

How do you possibly get by on $120/month for food? Hell, I usually between $250 and $300 per month and that's just for me! I don't ever like skimping on necessary items, though, so I'm sure I spend more than I could but do I really spend twice as much per month buying C&H sugar instead of store brand?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: dxkj

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
eat less?

If you've ever supported yourself you would know that food usually consists a very small amount of the budget, so cutting back on food is somewhat pointless unless you go out to eat every meal.

That all depends. Food is my third highest budget item in my household, behind mortgage and taxes.

Hrm. quotes were messed up.

Food is my third highest too, but my rent is 7x as much as my food.

 

[dud]

A wise friend from India once told me of a GREAT way to save money. I know you can't wait so here it comes:



Don't spend it.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: blackdogdeek
can you find a better job?

I'm 21 years old, & make over $30K a year. I would be VERY hard pressed to find better in Oregon right now.

Viper GTS

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: raptor13
How do you possibly get by on $120/month for food? Hell, I usually between $250 and $300 per month and that's just for me! I don't ever like skimping on necessary items, though, so I'm sure I spend more than I could but do I really spend twice as much per month buying C&H sugar instead of store brand?

I shop at aldis. The food there is great, I eat like a king, but I spend jack squat.

Or I could get the same results shopping at Jewell/etc if I cut coupons and always got good deals.

 

[Ranger X]

Survive on nothing but ramen and soy sauce on rice.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: dud
A wise friend from India once told me of a GREAT way to save money. I know you can't wait so here it comes:

Don't spend it.

Thanks, but I like having a place to live & utilities that work.

Viper GTS

 

[blackdogdeek]

can you find a cheaper apartment?

 

[StageLeft]

Depressing:
To afford a place of my own, 60% of my paycheck will have to go to a mortgage.

Don't do it! Since you're not overextended Viper I suppose instead of cutting you will hneed to increase income. I guess your rent must be bad because unless you took a paycut I know you're making decent money for a single guy in an apartment!

Oh wait - I guess you included your porn addiction in the basic expenditures