Why??????

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

I don't live with my parents, nor am I single (legally I am, but that's another subject). Just bought a condo and our monthly note including HOA and taxes is just under $1100 a month. That's $550 split two ways.

Other "necessaries" per month:

Car insurance - $50
Gas for car - $50
My half of the electric bill - $50-$75
My half of the Internet bill (we don't have cable) - $25
Food - $100 (that's if I had to, not what I normally spend, necessarily)
And I have a pre-paid cell phone that I put $25 on every 3 months.

That's really about it - I don't have a car note or credit cards or other nasty things like that.

bf and I keep our finances fairly separate.

so you eat on $25 per week and spend less than $10 a month for phone. Very interesting. Yes, I would say you live "no frills" Oh and your total untility bill only runs $100 a month or a little more including water and air conditioning? You must have either put down a large down payment or have a very inexpensive condo to only pay $1100 including condo or HOA fees.

Nita

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by nmnita

so you eat on $25 per week and spend less than $10 a month for phone. Very interesting. Yes, I would say you live "no frills" Oh and your total untility bill only runs $100 a month or a little more including water and air conditioning? You must have either put down a large down payment or have a very inexpensive condo to only pay $1100 including condo or HOA fees.

Well, I *could* eat on $25 a week if I had to (I've probably eaten on less than that, tbh, but I don't recommend it!) - I'm talking no frills here.

I def. spend less than $10 a month on the phone - I hate, hate, hate talking on the phone. I'd love to throw the damn thing in Lady Bird Lake and just use e-mail and IM, but then if my car ever broke down, I'd be SOL because there are no pay phones anymore.

Our electric bill was $120 one month, and that's really the highest it's ever been. And lord knows I love air conditioning. Water & gas are included in our HOA dues. The condo was in the $130k-140k range and we put down a decent down payment, yes.

[NC_newcomer]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

I am missing the part about rent in that list.

Ah, I was just listing my living expenses other than rent.

I pay $919/month for rent, pet rent and compulsory fees for a very pleasant and safe apartment, so total out of pocket each month runs about $2000.

By the way, I posted my expenses not to get into a "how cheaply can you live discussion" -- I did that lifestyle as a student 30 years ago! I now live a simple, comfortable mid-career lifestyle.

This is simply an accounting of how my expenses, for the life I choose to lead, are currently running (yes, including $40 for a nice haircut and maintaining a reasonable professional wardrobe).

Just thought it might be informative to other folks thinking about moving here and wondering what a budget might be like, other than rent.

Maybe this should be under an "Austin budget" thread?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by 1mintjulep

Well, I *could* eat on $25 a week if I had to (I've probably eaten on less than that, tbh, but I don't recommend it!) - I'm talking no frills here.

I def. spend less than $10 a month on the phone - I hate, hate, hate talking on the phone. I'd love to throw the damn thing in Lady Bird Lake and just use e-mail and IM, but then if my car ever broke down, I'd be SOL because there are no pay phones anymore.

Our electric bill was $120 one month, and that's really the highest it's ever been. And lord knows I love air conditioning. Water & gas are included in our HOA dues. The condo was in the $130k-140k range and we put down a decent down payment, yes.

As for the $25 a week on food. A reporter here in town just did an article on this subject. She did it for 2 weeks, her views, it is close to impossible especially if you want to eat anywhere near healthy and I don't mean fresh fruits and veggies only. I can't remember how she did it, I think this was about 3 months ago, but I do know she said it was HELL. I do think 2 people can eat on $50.00 a week. In fact we eat on about $75 including paper goods and animal food (not for us, for our dog and 2 cats) maybe closer to $80 but we eat very well...I love to cook, I do not cut corners and you can look at me and tell. We rarely eat out, because I would just as soon fix a really good meal at home. We do eat lots of fresh produce, I raise some during the summer and we eat too much meat.

Nita

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by nmnita

As for the $25 a week on food. A reporter here in town just did an article on this subject. She did it for 2 weeks, her views, it is close to impossible especially if you want to eat anywhere near healthy and I don't mean fresh fruits and veggies only. I can't remember how she did it, I think this was about 3 months ago, but I do know she said it was HELL. I do think 2 people can eat on $50.00 a week. In fact we eat on about $75 including paper goods and animal food (not for us, for our dog and 2 cats) maybe closer to $80 but we eat very well...I love to cook, I do not cut corners and you can look at me and tell. We rarely eat out, because I would just as soon fix a really good meal at home. We do eat lots of fresh produce, I raise some during the summer and we eat too much meat.

Nita

I'm talking $25 a week for one person - it's not easy and I'm hungry all the time when I do it, but I can if I need to. Like I said, there was a time when I ate for probably less than that, but it was only because I had no car and could only buy what I could carry home from the grocery store. I don't even think I ate every day. I lost about 20 lbs. but no it was not healthy.

[1mintjulep]

Originally Posted by NC_newcomer

By the way, I posted my expenses not to get into a "how cheaply can you live discussion" -- I did that lifestyle as a student 30 years ago! I now live a simple, comfortable mid-career lifestyle.

I know stuff like this is supposed to be nobody else's business, but I find it fascinating.

This is simply an accounting of how my expenses, for the life I choose to lead, are currently running (yes, including $40 for a nice haircut and maintaining a reasonable professional wardrobe).

Are you female? I can see how a woman could easily spend that much on a haircut, but for a man it really baffles me. Hell, if I thought I could cut my own hair and have it look halfway decent, I probably would. Anyone know if they still make the Flowbee?

God knows what I would look like if I were a woman...I don't think I could be bothered with hair and makeup and all that.

Maybe this should be under an "Austin budget" thread?

I think something like that could be very helpful.