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Rent $370.00
Auto Ins. $100.00
Gas $60.00
interne $19.99
Groceries/pet supplies $240.00
credit card #1 (min. payment) $21.00
credit card #2 (min payment) $25.00
Prescription drugs $35.00
car ]$ 297.40
Total $1,168.39
Here is my monthly budget. My take-home pay is $1300.00. That includes my health insurance. I am miserable and can't afford to move. I work 40 hours a week, am older and not in good enough health to work a 2nd job right now. The car won't be paid off for 2.5 years. I owe $1500 total in cc's, but don't use them anymore. Is there anything I can "shave off" here? Should I refinance the car? Live on less groceries? It's just myself. I still want to be able to eat healhty. I am very depressed. Obviously, I don't buy clothes or anything like that. I can't.
Not sure if you mean that $100 for auto insurance is "per month" - if so that is way too much - shop around - make a few calls - I'm sure you can do much better than that. Other than cutting back on personal use of things I can't be of much help - sounds like you dug yourself into a hole with the credit cards. Try not to become depressed about it. As you go along they will gradually get paid off, just try to pay a few more bucks than the minimum. You'd be surprized at the difference that will make.
You can cut back on things like paper goods - ie use cloth napkins.
Don't bother buying fabric softener or dryer sheets. Waste of money.
Not sure if you mean that $100 for auto insurance is "per month" - if so that is way too much - shop around - make a few calls - I'm sure you can do much better than that. Other than cutting back on personal use of things I can't be of much help - sounds like you dug yourself into a hole with the credit cards. Try not to become depressed about it. As you go along they will gradually get paid off, just try to pay a few more bucks than the minimum. You'd be surprized at the difference that will make.
You can cut back on things like paper goods - ie use cloth napkins.
Don't bother buying fabric softener or dryer sheets. Waste of money.
Don't buy packaged foods - or as few as possible.
Yeah, that's $100 a month for auto. I live in Florida and car insurance is outrageous here. I have to have full coverage since the car isn't paid off yet.
Your auto expenses, when added together, are the biggie. I know that many parts of Florida are not commuter friendly, but if you dumped the car, and paid someone to car pool, you would have more free money AND not have to be concerned about the inevitable car repairs, oil changes, and other maintenance. If you group personal travel together on one weekend a month, a rental car might be all you need otherwise.
Your auto expenses, when added together, are the biggie. I know that many parts of Florida are not commuter friendly, but if you dumped the car, and paid someone to car pool, you would have more free money AND not have to be concerned about the inevitable car repairs, oil changes, and other maintenance. If you group personal travel together on one weekend a month, a rental car might be all you need otherwise.
I agree. Fla's public transportation system is not the best, but I don't plan to stay here, anyways. To move to a new city with good public transport would be good. Then again, the car will be paid off in 2.5 years, but that is a long way away.
Look at communications as that is usually expensive. Can you have only a cell phone at the lowest rate possible? Obviously, no cable TV. Use the library to check out moves, documentaries. Cut and dye your own hair. Pay close attention to food sales and eat fresh and well, but eat what's in season. Cook from scratch learning how to use all sorts of grains/legumes. No meat or cheese - they are expensive and not necessary. Try Geico for car insurance as they are the least expensive. Good luck - I know how tough it can be.
Rent $370.00
Auto Ins. $100.00
Gas $60.00
interne $19.99
Groceries/pet supplies $240.00
credit card #1 (min. payment) $21.00
credit card #2 (min payment) $25.00
Prescription drugs $35.00
car ]$ 297.40
Total $1,168.39
Here is my monthly budget. My take-home pay is $1300.00. That includes my health insurance. I am miserable and can't afford to move. I work 40 hours a week, am older and not in good enough health to work a 2nd job right now. The car won't be paid off for 2.5 years. I owe $1500 total in cc's, but don't use them anymore. Is there anything I can "shave off" here? Should I refinance the car? Live on less groceries? It's just myself. I still want to be able to eat healhty. I am very depressed. Obviously, I don't buy clothes or anything like that. I can't.
- Get rid of the pet.
- If possible, shop around for car insurance and/or raise the deductible on your car insurance (risky if you have an accident given your financial state)
What's your car worth? You could possibly sell it, pay it off and use anything left over to buy a less expensive, reliable used vehicle.
[quote=1brokegirl;22854402]Rent $370.00
Auto Ins. $100.00
Gas $60.00
interne $19.99
Groceries/pet supplies $240.00
credit card #1 (min. payment) $21.00
credit card #2 (min payment) $25.00
Prescription drugs $35.00
car ]$ 297.40
If you parked your car for one month to see if you can live without it, and in that one month you cancelled your insurance, you would save $160.00 in insurance and gas. You would probably want to purchase a monthly pass to use public transportation, so deduct that cost from what you save from not driving. If you find that you can live without a car, sell the car if you aren't underwater on the car. If you are underwater, than that is different.
You said in your original post the you aren't healthy enough to work a second job. Can you improve your health? Is it a health issue that may be alleviated by walking?
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