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I've been offered a job in Sanford, NC, the company already sponsored the visa and I'm ready to move but I'm working in monthly budget and simply the numbers are a bit high compared to my net income, I'll try to break down each part of my budget, the budget is intended for 2 persons, me and my teenager son (no, no wife around, that's another story), about the school, it's a private school, because the language needs and the religion (jewish), we will not live in Sanford, Cary is where our apartment will be at.
Tell me what you think
Apart Rent $550
Power Bill $90
Cable TV $40
Internet + Phone $110
Water (included in rent) $0
Sewer $40
House Food $400
House cleaning (toilet paper, detergent, soaps, etc) $40
Entertainment (movies, rest, books, music CD's, DVD's) $200
Car payments $300
Auto insurance $140
Health insurance $180
Petrol/Gasoline $150
Car maintenance $20
School, school lunch $550
Credit Card debts $200
Clothing $50
Savings $0
Heating/Natural Gas or LP $100
Cell phone $100
Trip to Home country (once a year - total cost/12 months) $150
House sickness fund $100
7% taxes $240
Total $3750
Net Income monthly $3200
Difference $550
I don't see a way to save money, any comment about the budget will be appreciated or any suggestions on how to save money also are appreciated, if I'm missing something also please let me know, I've been breaking my head for over a week, looking where to save and meet the budget.
Most apartments have electric heat which would just be part of your electric bill. Sewer will probably be included with your rent. $100 for a cell phone bill? You can get a plan for 1/3-1/2 of that unless you have a really expensive plan with a lot of extras.
Most apartments have electric heat which would just be part of your electric bill. Sewer will probably be included with your rent. $100 for a cell phone bill? You can get a plan for 1/3-1/2 of that unless you have a really expensive plan with a lot of extras.
it's a family plan, 2 phones, 550 shared minutes, international minutes (I don't remember how many) included, 200 messages and a data plan, but I will look more to see if this can be improved, maybe reduce it to 60-70/monthly, but thanks for pointing that out
about the phone, I've read somewhere that many are using only their cell phones and no longer a land line, that can save aroun 50 USD/month, I think I will do the same
You can most likely drop the natural gas from your budget any apartment I've ever lived in just had electric. And even then your allotment for electric might not even be that high every month - dress for the weather and use ceiling fans.
Also look at getting broadcast cable which is about $12 and maybe a cheap netflix plan which would still be cheaper than your standard cable package.
Even your entertainment expenses could be cut - use the public library, check online for free events being offered.
Generally renters do not pay for sewer, save yourself 40.00, also save 100.00 on propane gas, heat round here is electric, comes with rent usually, get netflix for 15.00 save 185.00 on Dvds, you can get a good cell phone plan for 60.00 with VW, loose the landline if you have a cell phone, save 50.00, and finally what is a 100.00 sick fund? you have health insurance for that, save another 100.00, over 500.00 dollars saved, plus there are plenty of other ways to cut costs, go to the dollar general for your toiletries, cleaners, etc you will save!
You can feed two people for $300/month or less if you're careful. We spend about $275 for two people (one eats a lot!).
Can your son take a lunch to school instead of paying for a school lunch?
Maybe a cheaper car (would reduce auto insurance, too)?
Do without cable TV?
Cut the entertainment budget.
Pay more on your credit card debts instead.
The cost of living in Sanford would be lower, and we have a healthy Jewish community here in Sanford. I think many attend Synagogue in Fayetteville or in Cary, the former being 30 min or less away, and the latter a little over 30.
Sanford really is a nice mid-sized city offering what is attractive to those looking for a small town atmosphere with city sized resources. And anything one wants that can't be found in Sanford is only 30-40 minutes away in Cary/Raleigh, Fayetteville, or a little further away in Greensboro.
Here is a map showing Sanford's relative position to these metros and other attractions:
Perhaps Sanford can't offer the specific educational and language needs you require as we don't have a Hebrew/Jewish school, but I thought I'd also point out some advantages.
Good luck!
Al
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